How To Tell If You Broke Your Wrist

Treatment For Wrist Fracture

Treatment for a wrist fracture may include a splint, cast, or surgery, depending on the severity and location of the break. A padded splint can be used to give support and alignment to provide much-needed pain relief after an initial fracture. Then, a cast is used to hold fractures that have been set and arent unstable.

If the broken wrist is not in the correct position to heal, your doctor may need to reset it with surgery. Using pins, rods, screws, or plates, your fracture is set for proper healing. If the bone is crushed or severely damaged, a bone graft may be used.

Once youve had your wrist set with a splint, cast, or surgery, rehabilitation therapy is usually part of the recovery process. This includes hand therapy to recover motion, function, and strength while also preventing your hands from getting stiff. Following through on the recommended therapies reduces your risk of developing arthritis of the wrist joint.4

Bones Of The Wrist And Hand

There are eight small carpal bones in the wrist that connect to the hand and the forearm. These bones manage hand movement. If you cant move your fingers, its a likely indicator that the wrist is broken.

Ligaments stretch between these carpal bones, connecting one to another. Strain or tearing of the ligament is often what causes pain and swelling in a sprain.

Broken Hand Treatment Options: Hand Fracture Surgery

Fractures that cannot be properly corrected with the aforementioned treatment strategies will require broken hand surgery. During hand fracture surgery, local or general anesthesia may be used depending on the specific surgery. Broken hand surgery may involve the use of small pins and wires that will hold the fractured bones in place for several weeks. In some instances, metal plates and screws may be utilized to ensure the bones of the hand are properly aligned. If a bone has been shattered, it may be necessary to use a bone graft transplanted from another part of the patients body. A bone graft may also be used to treat a bone that has not healed properly after a previous injury.

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How Long Does It Take To Recover From A Broken Arm Or Wrist

In most cases it takes around 6 to 8 weeks to recover from a broken arm or wrist. It can take longer if your arm or wrist was severely damaged.

You will need to wear your plaster cast until the broken bone heals. The skin under the cast may be itchy for a few days but this should pass.

The hospital will give you an advice sheet on exercises you should do every day to help speed up your recovery.

Your arm or wrist may be stiff and weak after the cast is removed. A physiotherapist can help with these problems, although sometimes they can last several months or more.

Broken Hand Symptoms: How Do I Know If I Have A Broken Hand

Approximately 6 million people suffer a broken bone every year in the United States, and broken fingers are very common. The location and severity of the hand fracture will determine the symptoms the patient experiences and the available treatment options. So what does a broken hand feel like? Lets take a look at a few of the most common broken hand symptoms.

Fractured hand symptoms involving the metacarpals include pain, swelling, general tenderness along the site of the injury, and bruising. These metacarpal fractures symptoms may be more pronounced as the patient makes a fist or even loosely grips items. Metacarpal fractures may also give the involved fingers a shortened appearance. For example, Boxers fracture symptoms may include the knuckle appearing indented or crushed inward due to displacement along the neck of the metacarpal. Broken finger symptoms include pain, decreased range of motion, swelling, and sensitivity to even the lightest touch. Fractured finger symptoms may also include bruising, and its possible for the finger to appear deformed or misaligned. Broken thumb symptoms include swelling, bruising, sensitivity to the touch, and decreased range of motion. Some patients also report numbness or feelings of cold around the injury. In some cases, the hand or fingers may change colors, becoming pale or even blue, after a fracture of the hand. Patients may also notice other tactile sensations, such as tingling.

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Think You Have A Broken Of Sprained Wrist

If you suspect you have fractured your wrist, schedule an appointment for an evaluation. We can accurately diagnose your pain and treat your injured wrist quickly and effectively.

This site is not intended to and does not provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment or services to you or to any other individual. Through this website and links to other websites, Brandon P. Donnelly, MD provides general information for educational purposes only. The content provided in this website and links, is not a substitute for medical care or treatment. You should not use this information in place of a consultation or the advice of your healthcare provider. Brandon P. Donnelly, MD is not liable or responsible for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis or any other information, services or product you obtain through this site.

Less Common Wrist Fractures

A Bartons Fracture is a distal radius fracture with the addition of a dislocation in the radiocarpal joint. A Bartons fracture often requires surgery to fix.

A Chauffers Fracture is when the radial styloid gets fractured. It is usually caused by a direct blow to the radius and often requires surgery.

An Ulnar Styloid Fracture is when the bulge at the end of the ulna bone, known as the styloid, gets fractured. The ulnar styloid is the visible bulge on the outside of the wrist. This fracture often occurs in conjunction with a distal radius fracture as the result of a fall and may require surgery.

If you have concerns about a wrist injury, seek evaluation and treatment from an orthopedic specialist, as delaying treatment can hinder your recovery and cause long-term problems.

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The Signs Of A Wrist Fracture

Fractures to the wrist can range in severity, and it may be difficult to tell if your wrist is broken or if it is injured in some other way. Here are five signs that your wrist may be broken:

These signs may mean a fracture in your wrist, and medical attention should be sought, preferably from a specialist dealing in bone health.

How Long Does It Take To Heal A Hairline Fracture

Fractures usually take 6 to 8 weeks to heal. Hairline fractures may heal faster depending on the severity. Some types of fractures are more delicate and may require continued care. A fracture of the Scaphoid bone in the wrist is one that can cause complications. The Scaphoid is one of the 8 carpal bones which is closest to the thumb. It is unique because of its blood supply. Compromise of the artery which feeds the Scaphoid can lead to healing problems and may pose a medical emergency.

If you would like to learn more about fractures of the arm, please go to: Hairline fractures of the arm

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Signs Of A Broken Wrist

While you will have pain in your wrist regardless of if its broken or sprained, you will have significantly more pain if you break your wrist.

Some of the signs of a broken wrist include:

• Tenderness to touch

You might also experience tingling in your fingers.

Another sign to consider is if you are completely unable to move your wrist either because you have so much pain or because of the swelling.

Treatment For A Broken Arm Or Wrist

When you get to hospital the affected arm will be placed in a splint to support it and stop any broken bones from moving out of position.

You will also be given painkilling medicines for the pain.

An X-ray is then used to see if there is a break and how bad that break is.

A plaster cast can be used to keep your arm in place until it heals sometimes this may be done a few days later, to allow any swelling to go down first. You may be given a sling to support your arm.

A doctor may try to fit the broken bones back into place with their hands before applying a splint or cast you will be given medicine before this happens so you will not feel any pain. If you had a very bad break surgery may be carried out to fix broken bones back into place.

Before leaving hospital, you’ll be given painkillers to take home and advice on how to look after your cast.

You’ll be asked to attend follow-up appointments to check how your arm or wrist is healing.

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Fastmed Professionals Can Tell If Your Wrist Is Broken

It is important to have your broken wrist attended to as soon as possible.Fortunately, the medical professionals at FastMed Urgent Care are ready and able to examine your broken wrist, reset the bone if necessary, and secure it in a splint. Even on the weekends or after typical business hours, we can treat your broken wrist.

We are open 365 days a year and have extended weekday hours for your convenience. Our state-of-the-art facilities are equipped with digital X-ray machines so that your evaluation and treatment can be handled in one stop.

Contact us or simply walk in at one of our locations for your broken wrist treatment. Also check out what some of our patients are saying:

The urgent care center was terrific! The staff delivered exactly what I needed: professional care and personal attention and they delivered it with care and kindness. Urgent Care is on my radar as an integral part of my community and I have given several enthusiastic recommendations to friends and work associates. Thank you! Gayle C.

–

What Makes Yale Medicine’s Approach To Treating Wrist Fracture Unique

Treatment of wrist fracture can be quite complex. Dr. Swigart believes that patients benefit when treated by an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in hand surgery and performs many wrist fracture repair procedures.

There are a variety of ways to fix a distal radius fracture, including several different types of implants, explains Dr. Swigart. And while some types of implants are used often, others are only employed rarely. Its important to work with a doctor who knows about and is able to use all of them, she adds.

Also of value, Dr. Swigart says, is Yale Medicines involvement in clinical research, which often gives patients access to leading edge techniques and therapies well before they become widely available. For example, she says: My work includes both clinical and biomechanical research on treating wrist fracture, and our department has been consistently involved. Being involved in the research brings insights into why things work and which things work best.

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Hairline Fracture Wrist/hand Cast Or Splint

Immobilization of a wrist fracture is done with a cast or a splint. For workers or athletes who need to continue their activity while healing, an ActivArmor cast may be an option. ActivArmor is the latest technology in casting. This allows 3D scanning and printing of a hard plastic custom cast. This allows the fractured area to get wet and protects against potential forces.

Hairline Fracture Wrist Cast in ActivArmor

Is My Wrist Sprained Or Fractured

Even a small slip or fall onto an outstretched hand can injure your wrist, but just how bad is it? Should you ice and elevate the injury? Or go to the doctor for an X-ray? Orthopedic surgeon and hand specialist Dr. Andrew Tyser lends his expertise on this episode of The Specialists, and explains what to look out for when it comes to wrist injuries.

May 18, 2018

Hi, I’m Dr. Tom Miller and I’m here with Dr. Andrew Tyser and he is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in hand care and hand surgery. Welcome.

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What Should You Do

If you do think you have a wrist sprain or you may have fractured your wrist, you should immediately see a doctor. Schedule an appointment to have a medical professional decide if you will need surgery, an x-ray, or specific treatment options.

If you cant see a doctor immediately, its important to remember the acronym, RICE. That stands for, rest, ice, compression, and elevation. That is what you should be doing for your wrist until you see a medical professional.

Having a broken or sprained wrist can also limit your ability to drive places or see a doctor. If that happens, you can speak with us remotely by contacting us here.

How To Tell If Your Hand Is Broken Broken Hand Finger And Wrist Symptoms And Treatment

According to recent estimates published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research, approximately one-quarter of all sports injuries involve the hands or wrists. Hand fractures and broken fingers are currently on the rise due to increased athletic competition around the country, but these kinds of injuries are also common off the playing field, especially for older adults. As part of the natural aging process, our bones weaken over time, leaving us more vulnerable to fractures and other injuries. Regardless of the cause, there are many effective broken hand treatments and strategies to help expedite the recovery process and prevent reinjury. In this post, we will explain many common broken hand symptoms and what to do for a broken hand, including physical therapy and surgical options. Lets take a look…

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What Is A Wrist Fracture

The wrist joint connects the hand to the forearm. A wrist fracture can mean that a person has broken one of the small bones in this joint or, more commonly, the distal radius, which is the larger of the two bones that make up the forearm. This bone most often breaks at the lower end, near where it connects to the bones of the hand and thumb.

Sprained Wrist Vs Broken Wrist

How do you determine a sprained wrist vs. a broken wrist? The fastest way to be sure is to get an X-ray image of the wrist to look for a fracture. If you or a loved one suffer a wrist injury and are experiencing pain, check for some of the following symptoms to determine whether the wrist is sprained or broken.

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How To Tell A Broken Wrist Vs A Dislocated Wrist

A dislocated wrist occurs due to a tear in the ligaments of the wrist and is also difficult to tell from a broken wrist at times.

A dislocated wrist will have similar symptoms of swelling, pain, and bruising. You may also feel pain or numbness in the forearm or fingers.

If you have recently suffered an injury or fall and think your wrist could be dislocated or broken, you should seek emergency medical care right away. Getting an x-ray or MRI is often the only way to determine the extent of your wrist injury.

The treatment for your broken wrist will depend on the severity of your break. The goal of treatment is to help the wrist bones heal, reduce your pain, and restore your wrists strength and flexibility.

Possible treatments include:

Sometimes surgery is used to help heal a broken wrist. During surgery, pins, plates, screws, or rods are placed in your wrist bones to hold them together and help them heal. Bone grafts are sometimes also used to help treat a broken wrist.

You might need surgery if:

• your wrist is broken in multiple places
• your bones moved before they were able to heal
• you have an open fracture
• you have small bone fragments that could damage your joints
• your injury also damaged blood vessels, nerves, or ligaments around your wrist
• the break is in the joint of your wrist

How Does A Wrist Fracture Happen

Virtually anyone can take a tumble and end up with a broken wrist, says Dr. Swigart, but the majority of the people she sees with the problem fall into one of two categories.

The first group is elderly men and women who are vulnerable to wrist fracture because of low bone density. Because their bones are fragile, It doesnt take much of a fall to break the wrist, Dr. Swigart says.

Patients in the second group, she says, tend to be younger and more active, with fractured wrists resulting from what Dr. Swigart calls higher energy mechanisms, such as a skiing mishap or getting hit while playing contact sports. The breaks those patients sustain tend to involve the wrist joint and are often more severe, Dr. Swigart says.

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What You Can Do

You may want to write a list that includes:

• A description of your symptoms and how, where and when the injury occurred
• Information about your and your family’s medical histories
• All the medications and dietary supplements you take, including doses
• Questions you want to ask the doctor

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

• What tests do I need?
• What’s the best course of action?
• Will I need surgery?
• Will I need to wear a cast? If so, for how long?
• Will I need physical therapy when the cast comes off?
• Are there restrictions that I need to follow?
• Should I see a specialist?