How do u tell if your wrist is fractured or sprained?

i injured my wrist on friday, and i can;'t tell if it is a sprain or a fracture. my parents think it is just a sprain so they wont take me to a doctor to get a professional opinion. so, is there any way to tell the two injuries apart with out a diagnosis from a doctor?

If you can't move your fingers and is it swollen. Both of these symptoms might mean it's broken.

The best way is with an Xray. I know doctors can't tell the difference between a fracture and a severe sprain of an ankle without an Xray, so I assume it would be the same for a wrist. If it's bothering you just as much tomorrow or Monday as it is now, you really need to have it evaluated professionally.

Is it very painful to move? Was there immediate swelling? Does your wrist looked deformed in anyway? These are all signs of a possible fracture. The only way to tell for sure is to have an xray. Good luck and in the mean time put lots of ice on it and take Aleve or Advil if you're not allergic to them - they're both pain relievers and anti-inflammatories.

You need to go to the doctor. It might be broken. If it isnt getting better at all in the next few days you need to go. there is no way to tell if it is broken with out an xray unless you cann see the bone is out of place.
Good luck!

No, with out an xray there is not a difinative way to confirm a Fx over a sprain

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