Is early mobilisation better than immobilisation in the treatment of wrist sprains?

43 patients with posttraumatic radial-sided wrist pain, without fracture or scapholunate ligament injury, were randomized to either immediate mobilization of the wrist or 2 weeks of cast immobilization. The purpose of this study was to compare the two treatment modalities with regards to the total range of motion in the wrist, wrist radio-ulnar deviation, grip strength, pinch strength, pain, and disability. Outcomes were assessed over a 6 week period. The findings of this study indicated a reduced range of motion in the cast immobilization group compared to the early mobilization group at 2 weeks. Reduced functionality was also observed at 2 and 4 weeks in the cast immobilization group. All other outcomes were comparable between groups at all time periods.