Wrist Fracture ( Broken Wrist): Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Prevention

 

Any of the 10 bones that make up your forearm and wrist might sustain a fracture, often known as a broken wrist. Most frequently, the radius is impacted. Broken wrists are most frequently caused by falls onto an outstretched hand. To receive the correct diagnosis and treatment for a fractured wrist, it is essential to consult a doctor.

A broken wrist happens when one or more of the wrist's bones crack or break, frequently as a result of a fall. People automatically extend their hands to catch themselves as they fall. A fracture, often known as a break or crack, may result from this.

Playing activities like pickleball, skateboarding, snowboarding, or inline skating increases your risk of breaking your wrist. Additionally, it is more likely if you have osteoporosis, a disorder that weakens and weakens bones.

Treating a broken wrist as soon as possible is important. The bones might not recover properly if treatment is not received. This makes simple tasks like writing or buttoning a shirt extremely challenging. Additionally, early treatment reduces stiffness and pain.

What is a broken wrist?

Any of the 10 bones that make up your forearm and wrist might sustain a fracture, often known as a fractured wrist. These consist of your:

• The larger forearm bone is the radius

• The smaller forearm bone is called the ulna

• The eight small bones at the base of your hand are called carpal bones

• The radius is the most often fractured wrist bone. This is referred to as a distal radius fracture by hand surgeons

Wrist fracture types:

There are various methods to break a wrist bone. Among them are:

• Colles fracture: When you fall on an outstretched hand with your wrist bent backward, you can sustain a Colles fracture. Your radius's shattered end tilts upward, in the direction of your hand's back.

• Smith fracture: Falling with your hand bent forward can result in a Smith fracture. Your radius's shattered end tilts downward, in the direction of your palm.

• Wrist fractures can be further divided into the following categories by hand surgeons:

• A fracture that extends into your wrist joint is known as an intra-articular fracture.

• A fracture that does not extend into your wrist joint is known as an extra-articular fracture.

• Open fracture: A skin-breaking fracture that needs to be treated right away because of the possibility of infection.

• A fracture that breaks a bone into more than two pieces is known as a comminuted fracture.

Also Read: Sprained Ankle: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention

Symptoms:

How can you determine whether you have a broken wrist?

Symptoms of a broken wrist could include:

• Severe and persistent pain

• Swelling

• Tenderness

• Bruises

• Stiffness

• Bone deformation, such as a bent wrist

• The tips of your fingers are numb

• Serious pain that could get worse when you grasp, squeeze, or move your hand or wrist.

• Obvious bodily alterations, like a crooked finger or twisted wrist

• Stiffness or difficulty moving your thumb or fingers

• Numbness in your fingers or hand

Causes:

What results in a broken wrist?

Falling on an outstretched hand with your wrist bent forward or back to break the fall is the most frequent cause of a wrist fracture.

Younger persons experience wrist fractures for various causes than those over 60. High-energy events typically result in fractures in younger individuals. Sports injuries, auto accidents, and falls from heights (such as ladders) are examples of these situations.

Low-energy events are more likely to result in fractures in individuals over 60. Falls from a standing position are among these instances.

What are the risk factors?

Osteoporosis, a disorder that weakens bones, increases the risk of wrist fractures. In individuals over 60, additional risk factors include:

• Reduced density of bone minerals (osteopenia)

• Being a female

• Being white

• Biological familial history

• Early menopause

• Soccer or football, particularly on artificial grass

• Rugby

• Hockey

• Pickleball

• Skiing

• Snowboarding

• Skating in line

• Jumping onto a trampoline

• Riding a horse

What are this condition's complications?

A broken wrist might cause the following complications:

• Rupture of an arm tendon

• Syndrome of the carpal tunnel

• Syndrome of compartments

• Syndrome of complex regional pain

• You have wrist arthritis

Also Read: Osteoarthritis: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention

How is a broken wrist diagnosed?

During a physical examination, your doctor will feel your wrist and gently bend it in various ways. They will also inquire about your medical history and symptoms. They'll want to know how your wrist went injured.

Your doctor will ask for a wrist X-ray in order to properly diagnose you. To identify other injuries affecting your muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves, you might require additional imaging studies. A CT scan (computed tomography scan) or an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging scan) is an examples of these tests.

Treatment:

How is a broken wrist treated?

A wrist fracture's course of treatment relies on several of factors, such as:

• The type of fracture

• The severity of your fracture

• The presence of more injuries

Your age, degree of activity, and if your dominant hand is involved.
Making sure the shattered pieces are repositioned correctly is the first stage in the therapy process. Until they are cured, you must stop them from moving. Your doctor might just place a cast while the bone heals if it is in the right position.

Your provider might have to correct the bone fragments first if the bone is misaligned. We refer to this process as reduction.

Reduction in closed

Closed reductions don't require surgery. It implies that your doctor can realign your bone without making any skin incisions. Your doctor will put your arm in a cast or splint to maintain the proper alignment of your bones. For the first few days, they typically advise wearing a splint to accommodate swelling. You will be fitted for a cast a few days to a week after the swelling subsides. As the swelling decreases, you might need to have your cast altered.

For at least three weeks, your doctor may take weekly X-rays to closely check your healing. After six weeks, you'll undergo another X-ray. In order to assist in improving your wrist function and motion, your doctor may now remove the cast and begin physical therapy. To keep your wrist safe, you can keep using a splint.

Reduction in open

A surgical treatment is called an open reduction. It indicates that your doctor is unable to use a closed reduction to realign the fractured bone. To reach the fracture, your doctor will create an incision through the skin of your wrist. Through this incision, your bones will be realigned. To keep your bone in the proper place as it heals, they will then employ one or more of the following techniques:

• Cast

• Screws and a plate

•  Metal frame with a pin

An external fixator is a frame made of rods that is placed outside your body to hold your bones in place while they recover.

Medicines

Your doctor might suggest an over-the-counter painkiller to help you manage your discomfort. An opioid medication may be recommended for serious pain.

NSAIDs can reduce discomfort, but prolonged usage may impede the repair of bones. Before taking NSAIDs, see your healthcare provider.

You will probably receive an antibiotic if you have an open fracture in order to stop the infection from getting to the bone. An open fracture occurs when there is a wound close to the fracture or when the bone breaks through the skin.

How much time does it take for a fractured wrist to heal?

The severity of your fracture and the course of treatment are of the various factors that affect how long it takes to recover from a broken wrist. You might wear a cast for four to six weeks after wearing a splint for a few days to a week after closed reduction treatments. After that, you may not be able to completely resume your regular activities for up to three months. The healing process for open reduction treatments is lengthier.

Your healthcare professional could suggest that you keep your arm raised above your heart level to avoid swelling and that you move your fingers, elbows, and shoulders as appropriate to prevent stiffness during your recuperation. They will also instruct you to begin moving your wrist. To help you regain your strength, function, and range of motion, they might recommend that you see a physical therapist.

You can still feel stiffness or pain after your treatment is over. The recovery of complete comfort, strength, and flexibility may take between 6 and 12 months.

Prevention

Wrist fractures are hard to prevent since they are frequently caused by high-energy falls and other mishaps. However, for those over 60, having strong bones can help prevent wrist fractures. Discuss how to maintain strong bones with your healthcare professional, particularly if you have osteoporosis.

Although it's not always possible to prevent unforeseen circumstances that result in a broken wrist, following these suggestions may help lower the risk.

• Build your bones

• Build your bones by

• Eating a healthy diet rich in calcium and vitamin D

• Getting lots of weight-bearing activity, like walking quickly

Prevent falling

Falling forward onto an outstretched hand is the most common cause of fractured wrists. To avoid this frequent injury:

• Engage in a consistent fitness regimen. You become stronger when you exercise. And the best exercises are those that enhance coordination and balance.

• Put on proper footwear.

• Get rid of anything in your house that could trip you up, including throw rugs.

• Bring some light into your living area.

• Get your vision examined and, if necessary, adjusted.

• Put grab bars in your bathroom.

• Put handrails on your stairwells.

• Avoid slick areas like pool decks and sidewalks covered in snow or ice.

• Quit smoke f you smoke

References:

• American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Wrist Fracture (http://www.assh.org/handcare/hand-arm-injuries/wrist-fractures). Accessed 1/11/2024.

• Sebastin S, et al. Overview of finger, hand, and wrist fractures. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed March 4, 2025.

• Merck Manual (Consumer Version). Wrist Fractures (https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/injuries-and-poisoning/fractures/wrist-fractures). Last reviewed/revised 12/2022. Accessed 1/11/2024.

• Petron DJ. Distal radius fractures in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed March 4, 2025.

• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Distal Radius Fractures (Broken Wrist) (https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/distal-radius-fractures-broken-wrist/). Last reviewed 1/2022. Accessed 1/11/2024.

• Bone health and osteoporosis: What it means to you. National Institute for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/surgeon-generals-report-bone-health-and-osteoporosis-what-it-means-you. Accessed March 4, 2025.

• Hsu H, Fahrenkopf MP, Nallamothu SV. Wrist Fracture (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499972/). 2023 Aug 8. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan. Accessed 1/11/2024.