A distal radius fracture, or a broken wrist, is a common condition and is the most frequently broken arm bone. In the U.S. a broken wrist makes up one of every 10 broken bones.
Distal Radius Fracture (Broken Wrist) Definition
You likely want to know what is a distal radius fracture (broken wrist)? Your radius is one of two of your bones in your forearm that is found on your thumb side. Your distal radius is the part of your radius attached to your wrist joint. When your radius breaks near your wrist, it's referred to as a distal radius fracture.
The break typically occurs when you fall on a flexed or outstretched hand. It could also occur in:
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A skiing accident
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A bike accident
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A car accident
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Another sports activity
Distal radius fractures can be isolated, meaning there aren't any other fractures involved. They could also occur along with a distal ulna (small finger side forearm bone) fracture. The injury is referred to as an ulna fracture or distal radius fracture in these cases.
How to Tell if Your Wrist is Broken
You may be asking yourself, "what does a broken wrist look like?" Like most fractures, signs your wrist might be broke are often obvious.
While a bone wrist fracture is more severe than other types of fractures, intense pain is the most common sign of a distal radius break.
Swelling is also a characteristic of a broken wrist. Sometimes, the swelling becomes so bad it becomes almost impossible for you to move your injured wrist or hand. You may experience limited finger movement or a tingling sensation in your fingertips.
Depending on how severe your fracture is, you might even experience a physical manifestation of the break. For example, your wrist might look deformed if your bone comes out of place.
Symptoms of a Distal Radius Fracture
Distal radius fracture symptoms might include:
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Wrist tenderness and swelling, which starts suddenly and can continue to become worse
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Immediate, sharp pain in your wrist at the time of your accident or fall which could be accompanied by a sensation or sound of a snap
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Inability to move your hand or wrist or numbness
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Deformity of your wrist or forearm. A Colles fracture is the most common form of distal radius fracture and produces a distinct sign referred to as the "dinner fork deformity." When you view it from the side, your wrist looks like an overturned fork
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Bruising of your forearm and wrist
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Inability to perform squeezing or gripping actions|
Common Causes of a Fractured Wrist
Direct distal radius fracture causes can be due to various factors, such as:
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Falls. Falling onto your outstretched arm is the most common cause of this type of fracture. You can experience this type of fall while playing sports or completing daily activities.
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Age. Your age can also contribute to this type of injury. People who are 60 years old or older often experience these fractures more frequently than others. Elderly fractures are due to some type of health condition like weak bones.
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Bone disorders. People suffering from Osteoporosis or another bone disorder have a higher chance of breaking their wrist, even with minor falls. Their bones become weak, making them particularly fragile, leaving them susceptible to distal radius fractures.
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Other causes. Use of illicit substances, poor nutrition, and women who are menopausal could sometimes result in muscle mass loss, making them vulnerable to wrist fractures.
When Should I Seek Help From an Orthopedic Surgeon?
If you believe you're experiencing a distal radius bone fracture then it's vital you seek medical attention from an orthopedic surgeon right away. If you leave this injury untreated, a wrist fracture could lead to further complications with long-term effects.
Treatment for Distal Radius Fracture
If your broken wrist isn't in the right healing position, the doctor might have to reset it. This can be fairly painful, therefore it's typically performed with anesthesia. You will receive painkillers after that will help as well with pain.
You'll also likely need:
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A splint that you'll wear for several days or a week until the swelling goes down. A splint is used before the doctor puts a cast on.
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A cast that you'll wear for about six to eight weeks, maybe longer, depending on the severity of the break. You may even require a second cast if the swelling goes away and the first cast becomes too loose.
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Routine X-rays to ensure your wrist is healing properly.
Surgery Options for a Distal Radius Fracture (Broken Wrist)
If you have an unstable or complex distal radius fracture, it will probably need a surgical approach to keep the fracture in place throughout the healing period. You have several surgery options for a Distal Radius Fracture (Broken Wrist) .
External Fixation
If you have an unstable fracture, such as one extending into the radiocarpal joint (intra-articular) of your wrist, you might require an external fixation surgical procedure. In this procedure, the surgeon places metal pins into your bone that extend outside your skin's surface. These pins are then connected to a rigid external frame, helping them stay in place. Once your fracture heals, the surgeon will remove the frame and pins.
There are several options for how the surgeon places the pins:
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Bridging external fixation: the surgeon places a frame that will extend across your wrist joint to keep your wrist in a static position. The surgeon may add a hinge in the frame to make the bridging fixator more dynamic.
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Non-bridging external fixation: the surgeon places a frame that doesn't bridge your wrist joint which allows for earlier movement in your recovery process.
The surgeon may also use Kirschner wires to supplement the fixator, but usually they don't attach them to the fixation frame.
Studies show non-bridging external fixation could lead to a better outcome. It adds the benefit of earlier mobility since it doesn't keep your wrist in a fixed position. An external fixator's biggest drawbacks are the possibility of infection at the pin sites and the cumbersome frame.
Recovery Time for a Distal Radius Fracture (Broken Wrist)
Because there are a few types of distal radius fractures as well as treatment options, your recovery period might be different than other patients and you may have the question, how long does a broken wrist take to heal?
Your orthopedic surgeon will work closely with you to come up with an individualized recovery plan that could help narrow down your time frame of when you can get back to normal activities.
Your plan of recovery could involve pain management recommendations that help with pain management of your fracture. You'll also discuss wound care and cast, since the splinter and caster are imperative to the healing process.
Because of promising wrist arthroscopy procedure measures, you have a higher likelihood of a favorable outcome with this type of fracture. You'll want to communicate with the doctor about your recovery plan and be sure to adhere to it for best results.
You're are probably asking: do you need physical therapy after broken wrist. The answer to this is after distal radius fracture surgery, you might require physical therapy to improve and strengthen your wrist flexibility. You'll begin your physical therapy after your initial clinic visit to regain wrist strength and function.
Contact Coastal Orthopedics to Set your Appointment
When should I seek help from an orthopedic surgeon? At Coastal Orthopedics, we understand injuries occur. But, this doesn't mean they have to get in your way of living a healthy and active lifestyle. Whether you fish, sail, hunt, surf or play sports, we're dedicated to getting you back to your active lifestyle as soon as possible. Contact our office today by calling (361) 529-9255 or visit our website to set up your appointment.
