Wrist fracture
Did it fall on your hands? Is your wrist swollen, throbbing, sensitive to pressure or movement? Could it be broken?
Read our article below to find out when to see a doctor, how to treat it, whether surgery may be necessary and what can make it easier to recover.
Wrist injury
The wrist can be injured most often during a fall; in a backward position, when a high force is applied. If you experience swelling, throbbing, tenderness or restricted movement, be sure to rest the wrist and apply a cooling treatment for a short time. If the pain does not subside, you should contact to a specialist.
Dr. György Kocsis PhD
Orthopaedic traumatologist, hand surgeon, assistant professor, wrist, elbow and shoulder surgeon, upper limb specialist
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Wrist fracture symptoms
The symptoms of a fracture can vary. You may experience pain, which occurs spontaneously on pressure or movement, and dysfunction, which occurs because of pain or restricted movement.
Clinical signs may include the following: the joint is deformed, becomes choroidal, a „bone creak” is heard on movement, there is a palpable spondylolisthesis in the joint, and the fracture may be visible and open.
The diagnosis of a fracture should always be made by a doctor, and this requires the following:
- Understanding the circumstances of the hit/accident
- View at
- Tactile, mobility testing
- An imaging study: X-ray image/CT/MRI
Dr. Szabolcs Gáspár
Orthopaedic traumatologist, head of department, robotic surgeon
Treatment of wrist fracture
This is also always a matter for a specialist to decide whether or not surgery is necessary. Fortunately, if the bony discs can be moved back into place using some kind of „covert” technique, then surgery is not necessary. Usually, the position of the bones is confirmed with a control X-ray and, depending on the location and nature of the fracture, the bone is then left to heal for 4-6 weeks using some kind of fixation technique.
Good fixation is important to maintain proper circulation in the affected area without displacement. During this time, physiotherapy also plays an important role in minimising complications during the inactive period.
Time is of the essence, and getting treatment as soon as possible is more likely to restore joint function more quickly. Otherwise, the broken bone surfaces may not fuse properly, and there may be reduced range of motion and other problems.
Wrist fracture surgery
In case it is necessary to surgery, if the bone ends and bone surfaces cannot be matched without excavation, the bone is broken into several pieces or the displacement is too great. In such cases, the affected region is opened up - the corresponding ends are then fitted together - and fixed in the required position using an appropriate technique (e.g. plate, wire, screw).
Wrist fracture healing time
It is important to be aware of the fact that the body's regenerative capacity is faster at a young age, so fractures heal faster, while this process is slower at an older age, which can be complicated by osteoporosis and the changed state of bone structure.
Correct fixation and adherence to the correct protocol for the type of fracture is essential. The latter means how long the brace should be worn, when, what movements can be started, what should be avoided for a certain period of time, when can you return to normal movements and sports.
Dorottya Sándor
Physiotherapist
Physical therapy after a wrist fracture
This is where the physiotherapy. As long as the fixed area is immobilised, we work the muscles here without moving, reducing atrophy and increasing circulation.
In the adjacent joints, on the opposite side, and in the rest of the body, it is also important to improve circulation and muscle strength, and to maintain range of motion. As soon as the protocol allows, the restoration of movement, muscle strength and function at the site of the fracture should be started in the appropriate sequence.
The following tools can help you do this:
- Ultrasound
- Soft tissue treatments
- Manual therapy
- Active gymnastics