How can i tell if i sprained or strained my wrist?

Xray: Pain just in the area of the wrist joint could be a sprain. Pain directly on a bone usually means a fracture. The best way to decipher between the two is to get an xray and see your orthopaedic surgeon.

Get evaluated: It is really hard to diagnose on-line. Was there a trauma? Did you fall or did it just come about all of a sudden? Simple sprains and strains take about 10 days to go away. If it has been longer you should see a doctor.