Broken Wrist
A broken wrist is a fracture or break in the distal (wrist end) of either forearm bones (the Radius and Ulna) or any of the small carpal bones in the wrist. A broken bone and a fractured bone are the same thing and the terms are interchangeable.
A broken wrist is a common injury, most frequently occurring following a fall onto an outstretched arm. Car crashes are another common cause.
Broken wrist is quite a generic term as there are many more specific ways of describing the fracture. Here are some examples:
Symptoms of a Broken Wrist
The symptoms will vary slightly depending on the grade of injury. The symptoms listed here start with those present in all grades and become gradually more severe.
- Sudden pain following an acute trauma to the wrist.
- Pain increases when trying to move the wrist or hand.
- Swelling.
- The wrist may appear deformed.
- If the bone pierces the skin this is called an open fracture.
- Tingling or numbness anywhere into the hand or fingers indicates nerve damage.
Treatment
If you suspect a broken wrist it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. The arm should be X-rayed to confirm the diagnosis and to determine the extent of the fracture and any complications.
A straight forward fracture simply requires immobilisation in a cast or splint for 4-8 weeks to allow the bone to heal.
If the X-ray reveals any complications, such as multiple fractures (comminuted) or displacement, then surgery may be required to realign the bones and hold them together whilst they heal.
