Description

A wrist fracture is a break or crack in one or more of the bones of the wrist. The most common of these injuries occurs in the wrist when people try to catch themselves during a fall and land hard on an outstretched hand.

You may be at higher risk of a broken wrist if you participate in sports like in-line skating or snowboarding, or if you have a condition in which bones become thinner and more fragile (osteoporosis).

It is important to treat a broken wrist as soon as possible. Otherwise, the bones may not heal in the correct alignment, which could affect your ability to perform everyday activities, such as writing or buttoning a shirt. Early treatment will also help to minimize the pain and stiffness.

Symptoms

A wrist fracture can cause these signs and symptoms:

  • The intense pain that may worsen when you hold or squeeze or move the hand or wrist
  • Swelling
  • Tenderness
  • Bruising
  • Obvious deformity, such as the tilt of the wrist

When to call a doctor

If you think you may have a fracture in the wrist, immediately consult a doctor, especially if you have numbness, swelling, or difficulty moving the fingers. A delay in diagnosis and treatment can lead to poor healing, decreased range of motion and decreased grip strength.

Causes

A wrist fracture can be caused by:

  • Falls. The fall onto an outstretched hand is one of the most common causes of a fracture in the wrist.
  • Sports injuries. Many wrist fractures occur during contact sports or sports in which you might fall onto an outstretched hand — such as in-line skating or snowboarding.
  • Motor vehicle crashes. Motor vehicle crashes can cause wrist bones to break, sometimes into many pieces, and often require surgical repair.

Risk factors

To participate in certain sports activities, and having the bone-thinning disease osteoporosis can increase your chances of breaking your wrist.

Sports activities

Contact sports and activities that increase the risk of falls may increase your risk of fractures of the bones of the wrist. Examples include:

  • Football or soccer, especially on artificial turf
  • Rugby
  • Horseback riding
  • Hockey
  • Ski
  • Snowboarding
  • In-line skating
  • Jump on a trampoline

Complications

The complications of a fracture of the wrist are rare, but may include:

  • Course stiffness, pain, or disability. The stiffness, pain, or discomfort in the affected area usually goes away with time, after the splint is removed or after the surgery. However, some people have permanent stiffness or pain. Be patient with your recovery, and talk with your doctor about exercises that can help or for a referral to physical therapy or occupational therapy.
  • Osteoarthritis. Fractures that extend into a joint can cause arthritis years later. If your wrist starts to hurt or swell very much, after a break, see your doctor for an evaluation.
  • The nerves or the blood vessels. Injuries of the wrist may cause injury to adjacent nerves and blood vessels. Seek immediate medical attention if you have numbness or circulatory problems.

Prevention

It is impossible to avoid the unforeseen events that often cause of a fracture of the wrist. But these tips may offer some protection.

Build the strength of the bones

To build strong bones:

  • Eating a nutritious diet with an adequate amount of calcium and vitamin D
  • Get plenty of weight-bearing exercise, such as brisk walking
  • Quit smoking if you are a smoker

Prevent falls

Most of the dolls are broken occur when people fall forward onto an outstretched hand. To prevent this common injury:

  • Wear comfortable shoes
  • Remove things you can trip over in your home, such as carpets
  • The light of your living space
  • Have an eye exam and, if necessary, correct
  • Install grab bars in your bathroom
  • Install handrails on the stairs
  • To avoid a slippery surface, if it is possible, as snow-or ice-covered walkways

The use of personal protective equipment for sports activities

Wear wrist guards for high-risk activities, such as:

  • In-line skating
  • Snowboarding
  • Rugby
  • Football

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of a fracture of the wrist, which usually includes a physical examination of the affected hand and x-rays.

Other imaging tests

Sometimes other imaging tests can give your doctor more detail. They are:

  • Computed tomography. The ct scan can discover wrist fractures X-rays are lost. Injuries to the soft tissues and blood vessels can be seen on the CT scan. This technology takes X-rays from a variety of angles and combines them to represent cross-sectional slices of the internal structures of the body.
  • The magnetic resonance imaging. The use of radio waves and a powerful magnet to produce detailed images of the bones and soft tissues, Mri scans are much more sensitive than X-rays and can identify very small fractures and ligament injuries.

Treatment

If the broken ends of the bone aren't aligned properly, there may be gaps between the pieces of bone or fragments might overlap. Your doctor will need to manipulate the pieces back into position, a procedure known as a reduction. Depending on the amount of pain and swelling you have, you might need a local or general anesthetic before this procedure.

Whatever the treatment, it is important to move your fingers regularly, while the fracture is healing to keep them from strengthening. Ask your doctor about the best ways to move. If you smoke, stop smoking. Smoking can delay or prevent bone healing.

Immobilization

Restrict the movement of a broken bone in his wrist is essential for proper healing. To do this, you may need a splint or a cast. You will be advised to keep your hand above heart level as much as possible to reduce swelling and pain.

Drugs

To reduce the pain, your doctor might recommend an over-the-counter pain relievers. If the pain is severe, you may need a prescription opioid, such as codeine.

Nsaids can help with the pain, but it could also hinder the healing of bones, especially if used long term. Ask your doctor whether you can take to relieve the pain.

If you have an open fracture, in which you have a wound or cut in the skin near the site of the wound, the more likely it is that given an antibiotic to prevent infection that could reach the bone.

Therapy

After the cast or splint is removed, it is likely that you will have to do rehabilitation exercises or physical therapy to reduce stiffness and restore the movement of your wrist. Rehabilitation can help, but it can take several months or more time for complete healing.

Surgical and other procedures

You may need surgery for the implant of the pins, plates, rods or screws to hold the bones in place while they heal. A bone graft can be used to help the healing. These options may be necessary if you have:

  • An open fracture
  • A fracture in which the bone pieces are moved before they heal
  • Loose bone fragments that can enter into a joint
  • The damage to the surrounding ligaments, nerves, or blood vessels
  • Fractures that extend into a joint

Even after the reduction and immobilization with a cast or a splint, their bones may change. So your doctor will likely monitor your progress with x-rays. If your bones move, you may need surgery.

In some cases, the surgeon immobilize the fracture through the use of an external fixation device. This consists of a metal frame with two or more pins that go through your skin and into the bone on both sides of the fracture.

Preparing for your appointment

You can search in the first place the treatment for a fracture of the wrist in an emergency room or urgent care clinic. If the pieces of broken bone are not properly aligned to allow healing with tethering, you may be referred to a doctor specializing in orthopedic surgery.

What you can do

You can write a list that includes:

  • A description of your symptoms and how, where and when the injury occurred
  • Information about you and your family's medical histories
  • All of the medications and supplements you are taking, including dose
  • Questions you want to ask the doctor

For a broken wrist, questions to ask your doctor include:

  • What tests do I need?
  • What is the best course of action?
  • I'm going to need surgery?
  • I have to wear a cast? If so, for how long?
  • I'm going to need physical therapy when the cast is removed?
  • There are restrictions that must be followed?
  • You should see a specialist?

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor may ask:

  • What is your occupation?
  • It was the wrist bent backward or forward when the impact occurred?
  • You're right-or left-handed?
  • Where does it hurt, and certain movements make it hurt more or less?
  • You've had injuries in the wrist or the surgery?
Symptoms and treatment of wrist fractures