How does the NHS recommend assessing whether a wrist is broken or sprained?

A broken wrist (fracture) and a sprained wrist share similar symptoms, making them difficult to distinguish without medical evaluation. Doctors typically assess the following signs to tell them apart:

• Pain: Sharp, severe pain that worsens with movement may indicate a fracture, while a sprain often causes a duller ache.
• Swelling and bruising: Both injuries cause swelling, but significant bruising and visible deformity suggest a break.
• Range of motion: Difficulty or inability to move the wrist, or a grinding sensation, points toward a fracture.
• Tenderness: Pinpoint tenderness over a bone is a common sign of a break.
• Imaging: An X-ray is the definitive way to confirm a fracture; MRI or CT scans may be used for complex cases.

Because the symptoms overlap so closely, self-diagnosis can lead to delayed treatment and long-term complications like chronic pain or reduced mobility. Before heading to urgent care or waiting it out, take a free, instant, online symptom check to better understand your injury and confidently decide your next steps.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/20/2026