Wrist Sprains and Ligament Tears in Texas Workers’ Compensation Claims
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Wrist Sprains and Ligament Tears in Texas Workers’ Compensation Claims
Wrist sprains and ligament tears are extremely common in Texas workers’ compensation claims — especially in construction, warehousing, manufacturing, oilfield work, transportation, and any job requiring lifting, gripping, twisting, or tool use. Ligaments stabilize the wrist and keep the carpal bones aligned. When sprained or torn, workers often experience pain, swelling, clicking, instability, and difficulty performing essential job tasks.
Despite clear medical evidence, insurance carriers frequently dispute ligament injuries, calling them “minor,” “degenerative,” or “not work‑related.” This post explains how wrist sprains and ligament tears develop, how they’re diagnosed, what treatment is available, and how injured workers can protect their claims.
Understanding Wrist Sprains and Ligament Tears
A wrist sprain is an injury to the ligaments — the strong connective tissues that stabilize the wrist.
A ligament tear is a more severe injury involving partial or complete rupture of the ligament fibers.
Key wrist ligaments include:
- Scapholunate ligament (SLL)
- Lunotriquetral ligament (LTL)
- Triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC)
- Dorsal and volar radiocarpal ligaments
- Ulnar collateral ligament
See Wrist Injuries.
Common Work Related Causes of Wrist Sprains and Ligament Tears
These injuries are strongly associated with:
- Falls onto an outstretched hand (FOOSH)
- Heavy lifting
- Forceful twisting (tools, machinery, torqueing)
- Sudden pulling injuries
- Direct blows to the wrist
- High‑impact trauma
- Repetitive strain in manual labor
These mechanisms are fully consistent with compensable injuries under Texas workers’ compensation.
Types of Wrist Sprains and Ligament Tears
1. Scapholunate Ligament Tears (SLL Tears)
The most serious wrist ligament injury. Causes instability between the scaphoid and lunate.
Symptoms
- Radial‑sided wrist pain
- Clicking or popping
- Grip weakness
- Instability
2. Lunotriquetral Ligament Tears (LTL Tears)
Injury between the lunate and triquetrum — often caused by twisting or FOOSH injuries.
Symptoms
- Ulnar‑sided wrist pain
- Pain with gripping
- Clicking
- Weakness
3. TFCC Tears (Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex)
A major stabilizer of the wrist and DRUJ. Often misdiagnosed as a “sprain.”
Symptoms
- Ulnar‑sided wrist pain
- Clicking
- Weak grip
- Pain with rotation
See TFCC Tears.
4. General Wrist Sprains (Grade I–III)
Grade I
Mild stretching of ligament fibers.
Grade II
Partial tear; instability may be present.
Grade III
Complete tear; significant instability; often requires surgery.
Symptoms of Wrist Sprains and Ligament Tears
Workers often report:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Clicking or popping
- Weak grip strength
- Instability
- Difficulty lifting or carrying
- Pain with twisting or gripping
- Loss of range of motion
Symptoms may appear immediately after trauma or worsen over time.
Diagnosis of Wrist Sprains and Ligament Tears
Diagnosis may include:
- Physical Examination Watson test Ballottement test Grip strength testing Pain with extension or rotation
- X‑ray May show widened gaps or carpal misalignment.
- MRI Identifies partial or complete ligament tears.
- MR Arthrogram Provides enhanced visualization of ligament integrity.
- CT Scan Useful for evaluating carpal alignment.
Accurate diagnosis is essential for proving causation and securing treatment.
Medical Treatment for Wrist Sprains and Ligament Tears
Workers may be entitled to:
- Conservative Care Anti‑inflammatory medications Bracing Physical therapy Activity modification
- Injections Steroid injections may reduce inflammation.
- Surgery For moderate to severe tears:
- Ligament repair
- Capsulodesis
- Tendon graft reconstruction
- Pinning or screw fixation
- Partial wrist fusion (advanced cases)
- Post‑Operative Rehabilitation
- Work Hardening
- Functional Restoration Programs
Recovery Timeline
Typical recovery:
- Mild sprains: 2–6 weeks
- Partial tears: 6–12 weeks
- Complete tears: 3–6 months
- Postsurgical recovery: 6–12 months
Workers performing heavy labor may require extended restrictions.
Complications of Wrist Sprains and Ligament Tears
If untreated or undertreated, ligament injuries can lead to:
- Chronic instability
- Grip weakness
- Persistent pain
- Scapholunate dissociation
- SLAC wrist (advanced arthritis)
- Post‑traumatic arthritis
- Permanent impairment
These complications often increase impairment ratings.
Impairment Ratings for Wrist Sprains and Ligament Tears
Impairment ratings may be based on:
- Loss of wrist motion
- Grip strength deficits
- Instability
- Surgical outcomes
- Chronic pain
- Post‑traumatic arthritis
Wrist ligament injuries frequently result in measurable impairment.
Why Insurance Companies Dispute Ligament Injuries
Carriers often argue:
- The injury is “degenerative”
- The worker had prior wrist pain
- The mechanism was “insufficient”
- The MRI shows “wear‑and‑tear”
- The condition is “not work‑related”
These disputes can be challenged through:
See Aggravation Injuries.
How MLF Legal Proves Ligament Tears Are Work Related
Our Workers’ Compensation Lawyers assist clients by:
- Proving the tear is traumatic, not degenerative
- Challenging “wear‑and‑tear” arguments
- Securing MRIs and specialist referrals
- Fighting for surgical approval
- Preparing workers for designated doctor exams
- Challenging low impairment ratings
- Winning disputes at BRCs and CCHs
Wrist sprains and ligament tears are winnable — but only with the right evidence and strategy.
The Bottom Line
Wrist sprains and ligament tears are serious injuries that often require surgery and long rehabilitation. If you suffered a ligament injury at work, you need a lawyer who understands the medical issues, the legal standards, and the strategies necessary to win your case.
Call MLF Legal Today!
If you suffered a wrist sprain or ligament tear at work, call the Texas workers’ compensation lawyers at MLF Legal today.
We fight for injured workers — not insurance companies.
FAQs: Wrist Sprains and Ligament Tears in Texas Workers’ Compensation Claims
Yes. They are compensable if caused or aggravated by work activities.
Moderate to severe tears often require repair or reconstruction.
MRI, MR arthrogram, X‑ray, and physical exam.
You can challenge the denial through extent‑of‑injury litigation.
- Yes. Loss of motion, instability, and surgical outcomes often result in measurable impairment.
Injured at work in Texas and your employer doesn’t have workers’ comp?
You may have the right to sue and recover full compensation.
Contact MLF Legal today for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win your case.
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