Bruising and swelling may develop soon after the injury.
Sudden (acute) injuryĪn acute injury may occur from a direct blow, a penetrating injury, or a fall, or from twisting, jerking, jamming, or bending a limb abnormally. Most minor injuries will heal on their own, and home treatment is usually all that is needed to relieve symptoms and promote healing. They also have more problems with vision and balance, which increases their risk of accidental injury. Older adults are at higher risk for injuries and fractures because they lose muscle mass and bone strength as they age. Any injury occurring at the end of a long bone near a joint may injure the growth plate (physis) and needs to be evaluated. In children, most finger, hand, or wrist injuries occur during sports or play or from accidental falls. Sports that use hand equipment such as ski poles, hockey or lacrosse sticks, or racquets also increase the risk of injury. Sports that require weight-bearing on the hands and arms, such as gymnastics, can increase the risk for injury. The risk of finger, hand, or wrist injury is higher in contact sports, such as wrestling, football, or soccer, and in high-speed sports, such as biking, in-line skating, skiing, snowboarding, and skateboarding.