Winter sports and icy sidewalks come with an unwelcome risk, unexpected falls. Even a simple slip can lead to serious hand, wrist, or elbow injuries. Quick, informed action can make all the difference in your recovery and long-term function. What everyone should ‘first’ do is try NOT to fall. Keeping our eyes on the terrain and off the phone is one of the most important things you can do to avoid a bad fall. Taking extra time to slow down and take a different route is also important. But ‘if’ you do fall, here’s what to do immediately afterwards..
-
Stop and Assess Your Hand Injury
After a fall, it’s natural to want to get up quickly, but take a moment to pause and assess how you feel. Did you hit your head? Does your back hurt: Check for pain, swelling, numbness, or deformity in the wrist, hand, or elbow. If moving your fingers or bending your arm feels limited or unusually painful, it could indicate a fracture,, or ligament injury. Avoid using the injured hand until it’s evaluated by a medical professional.
-
Reduce Swelling and Protect the Area
Apply ice or a cold compress as soon as possible to minimize swelling and inflammation. Wrap ice in a thin cloth, never apply it directly to the skin, and use it for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Elevate the injured arm above heart level if possible. If you suspect a fracture or dislocation, use a soft splint or sling to keep the limb supported until you can reach an orthopedic specialist.
-
Watch for Signs of Wrist Fractures, Sprains, and Ligament Injuries
Not all hand or wrist fractures are immediately obvious. Symptoms like persistent swelling, bruising, numbness, or joint instability often develop hours later. If you notice visible deformity, severe pain, or tingling in your fingers, seek urgent care. Prompt diagnosis is especially important for wrist fractures, tendon tears, and or wrist dislocations, as early treatment can prevent long-term stiffness or arthritis. Significant injuries including fractures can present with mild symptoms and fool you thinking it’s just a minor bruise or sprain.
-
Avoid “Pushing Through” the Pain
Many athletes and active individuals try to “shake it off” and resume activity too soon. Doing so can worsen tissue damage or misalign a fracture. Rest the injured limb completely until cleared by your doctor. Even minor wrist sprains can conceal deeper ligament injuries that require medical imaging and guided rehabilitation.
-
See a Hand and Upper Extremity Specialist
If your symptoms don’t improve within 24–48 hours or your pain gets worse, it’s important to be evaluated by a board-certified, fellowship-trained hand and upper extremity specialist. Hand surgery is highly complex—far more intricate than general orthopedics—and requires advanced subspecialty training to diagnose and treat these injuries accurately.
A delay in treatment can lead to further injury or compromised final outcome. Early diagnosis and treatment is key.
Our experts focus exclusively on conditions of the hand, wrist, and elbow. They perform targeted imaging, assess the extent of the injury, and offer advanced treatment options ranging from customized splinting and precision-guided injections to minimally invasive ligament and tendon reconstruction when needed.
Falls on ice can happen to anyone, and even a seemingly minor slip can lead to significant hand or wrist injuries. Paying attention to early signs—pain, swelling, or limited motion—can make all the difference in your recovery.
At The Hand, Wrist & Elbow Institute, our entire team of board-certified, fellowship-trained specialists is dedicated to providing expert diagnosis and personalized care. If you’re concerned after a fall, schedule an appointment today and let us help you get the best possible outcome.