How are fractured wrists treated?

How are fractured wrists treated?

According to Dr. Swigart, the range of treatment options for wrist fracture include: Wearing a cast or splint, usually for five to six weeks, followed by physical therapy to gain strength and restore range of motion. Surgery to fix the break, using pins to hold the bone in place.

How long does a wrist compression fracture take to heal?

It might take 8 weeks or longer for your wrist to heal. More severe breaks may not fully mend for 6 months. You and your doctor will decide when you are fully recovered.

When should a distal radius fracture be fixed?

Surgery for Distal Radius Fractures This option is usually for fractures that are considered unstable or can’t be treated with a cast. Surgery is typically performed through an incision over the volar aspect of your wrist (where you feel your pulse). This allows full access to the break.

Can a wrist fracture heal without surgery?

Non-surgical Treatment for Hand Fracture and Wrist Fracture Some fractures, like distal radius fractures (before the wrist), can be treated without surgery if the bone fragments are minimally displaced and remain in close connection.

Can a broken wrist heal without surgery?

A lot of wrist fractures can be treated effectively without any form of surgery. If there are bone fragments, these are replaced back into their original position. The wrist (or hand or finger) is placed into a supportive cast or specially fabricated splint for stability during the healing process.

What happens when fracture don’t heal properly?

Delayed Union. When a bone fracture is untreated, it can result in either a nonunion or a delayed union. In the former case, the bone doesn’t heal at all, which means that it will remain broken. As a result, swelling, tenderness, and pain will continue to worsen over time.

What are the 4 stages of healing a bone fracture?

There are four stages in the repair of a broken bone: 1) the formation of hematoma at the break, 2) the formation of a fibrocartilaginous callus, 3) the formation of a bony callus, and 4) remodeling and addition of compact bone.

Why is distal radial fracture common?

Cause. The most common cause of a distal radius fracture is a fall onto an outstretched arm. Osteoporosis (a disorder in which bones become very fragile and more likely to break) can make a relatively minor fall result in a broken wrist.

What are the treatment options for a broken wrist?

The good news is, most people with wrist fracture recover fully. According to Dr. Swigart, the range of treatment options for wrist fracture include: Wearing a cast or splint, usually for five to six weeks, followed by physical therapy to gain strength and restore range of motion. Surgery to fix the break, using pins to hold the bone in place.

When is urgent care indicated in the treatment of wrist fractures?

Urgent reduction of fractures may be necessary when neurovascular status has been compromised. Obtain immediate consultation with a hand specialist or orthopedic surgeon for open or unstable fractures and those requiring fixation. All other fractures should have adequate orthopedic follow-up care to ensure proper wrist function.

What is a chauffeur fracture of the wrist?

The “Chauffeur Fracture”: Historical Origins of an Often-Forgotten Eponym This article describes the origin of the term “chauffeur fracture” used to indicate an oblique fracture of the radial styloid process with extension into the wrist joint. This kind of fracture was originally described by the British surgeon Jonathan Hutchinson in 1866.

What are the signs and symptoms of a broken wrist?

Wrist Fracture 1 Causes. A wrist fracture occurs from an injury such as falling down onto an outstretched hand. 2 Signs and Symptoms. When the wrist is broken, there is pain and swelling. 3 Treatment. A padded splint might be worn at first in order to align the bones and support the wrist to provide some relief from the initial pain.