Wrist/Radius Fractures

Overview

Symptoms

Treatments

Recovery

About Wrist/Radius fractures

A wrist or radius fracture is a break in the radius bone, which is the larger bone in the forearm, near the wrist. Its a common type of bone break thats usually caused by falling on an outstretched hand, but can also occur in other situations like a car accident or sports injury.

Symptoms

The symptoms of a wrist/distal radius fracture vary in severity based on the type of fracture, but will most always include the below measures:

Pain

Severe pain in wrist, forearm, and hand

Swelling

Pronounced swelling around the wrist joint

Deformity

The wrist may appear bent or crooked

Bruising

Bruising on the back of the hand or forearm

Limited Mobility

Difficulty moving the wrist, hand, or fingers

Numbness or tingling

Sensation loss in the fingers or thumb

Treatments

Treatments depend on the severity of the break but may include: A cast or splint, and/or surgery to insert plates, screws, or pins to hold the bones in place.

Non-Surgical Treatments

Immobilization: The primary non-surgical treatment is to immobilize the fractured wrist using a cast or splint to prevent further movement and allow the bone to heal properly.

Closed Reduction: In some cases, a doctor might perform a closed reduction, which involves manually manipulating the bone fragments into proper alignment under local anesthetic, before applying a cast.

Pain Medication: Over-the-counter or prescription pain medication like non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be used to manage discomfort
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Surgical Treatments

Distal radius surgery, also known as open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), is a procedure to treat a broken wrist by realigning and stabilizing the fractured bones.

Procedure: The surgeon makes an incision in the wrist, locates the fracture, and realigns the bones. The bones are then held in place with screws, pins, wires, or a plate.

Other Surgical Options:

External fixator- A stabilizing frame that holds the bones in place outside the body. This is less common, but is a good option for severe or open fractures

Temporary wires - Sometimes a surgeon will use temporary wires instead of a plate

Recovery

Non-Surgical Recovery:
If the distal radius fracture is in a good position, a splint or cast is applied. Usually this cast will remain on for up to six weeks. Then you will be given a removable wrist splint to wear for comfort and support.

Surgical Recovery:   
Recovery time can vary depending on the type of fracture, but most distal radius fractures take at least 3 months to heal. If too much activity is done too early, the metal plate can break before the bone is healed. 4-6 months is the typical time frame to return to full activity, however you may have residual stiffness in the wrist for at least a year.