Broken Wrist
Broken Wrist Overview
The distal radius and scaphoid are two important wrist bones. A broken wrist happens when either of the bones is fractured. A broken wrist is a serious injury that requires medical attention. An appointment with a Carolina Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Associates’ (CONA) should be made as soon as possible.
Symptoms & Causes
Broken wrist symptoms include:
- Bruising
- Pain
- Swelling
- Tenderness
Common broken wrist causes include:
- A fall on an outstretched hand
- Boardsports injuries
- Contact sports injuries
- Skating sports injuries
- Motor vehicle accidents
Common Treatments:
Nonsurgical treatment options treat wrist fractures when the bone is not displaced. After a thorough evaluation, a CONA hand specialist may recommend:
- Immobilization in a cast, splint or brace
- Pain and anti-inflammatory medications
- Hand therapy (after immobilization)
Surgery may be recommended to treat fractures when the bone is displaced. A CONA specialist reduces and fixates the fracture with pins or a small plate and screws.
Diagnosis:
X-rays are an important part of a broken wrist diagnosis. A CONA specialist orders and analyzes wrist x-rays from the front, back, and side views to diagnose and classify the fracture. The patient’s medical history is obtained and if possible, a physical examination of the wrist is performed.