What is a Broken Wrist?

A broken wrist is a common injury that happens when one or more bones in your wrist crack or break. It usually occurs after a fall or an accident. You might notice pain, swelling, and bruising around your wrist. These injuries can affect anyone but are especially common in athletes and older adults. Getting the right treatment early is important. If you leave a broken wrist untreated, it could lead to problems like stiffness or reduced movement later on. Knowing the signs and understanding what to expect can help you recover well.

What Is a Broken Wrist?

A broken wrist, also called a wrist fracture, means one or more bones in the wrist have cracked or broken. The wrist is made up of several small bones: the radius and ulna (the forearm bones) and the carpal bones (the small bones at the base of your hand). The most common bone to break is the radius. There are different types of fractures, including Colles' fracture, Smith's fracture, and scaphoid fracture. Children can experience a greenstick fracture, which is a partial break. Each type varies in severity and treatment.

Causes and Risk Factors

Most broken wrists happen after falling onto an outstretched hand. This sudden impact can cause one or more bones to break. Sports injuries are another common cause, especially in activities like snowboarding, rugby, or inline skating. Motor vehicle accidents may also lead to complex wrist fractures. Certain factors increase the risk of breaking your wrist. People with osteoporosis have weaker bones, making fractures more likely. Older adults face a higher risk due to decreased bone density and balance issues. Women and those with a family history of osteoporosis are also more vulnerable.

Symptoms of a Broken Wrist

You may experience some or all of the following symptoms if your wrist is broken:

• Severe pain that worsens when moving or gripping
• Swelling and bruising around the wrist
• Visible deformity or bend in the wrist
• Numbness or tingling in fingers
• Difficulty or inability to move the wrist or fingers
• Possible snapping or grinding noise at injury
  
  

It is important to seek medical help if you have these symptoms, especially if you cannot move your wrist or fingers, or if there is bleeding.

Diagnosis

Physical Examination

Doctors will examine your wrist to check for tenderness, swelling, and movement. They will ask how the injury happened.

Imaging Tests

An X-ray is usually needed to confirm a broken wrist and to see which bones are affected. Sometimes, CT scans or MRIs are required to assess damage to soft tissues like ligaments and nerves.

Treatment Options

Treatment usually involves wearing a cast or splint to keep your wrist still while it heals. Sometimes, surgery is needed to fix the bones properly. Managing pain and doing rehab exercises help you get back to normal.

Non-Surgical Treatment

• Closed reduction to realign bones without surgery
• Immobilisation with splints or casts
• Pain relief and swelling management
• Regular monitoring with X-rays
  
  

Most broken wrists heal well with these methods over several weeks.

Surgical Treatment

• Open reduction surgery for severe or displaced fractures
• Use of plates, screws, pins, or external fixators to hold bones
• Longer recovery period
  
  

Surgery is necessary when the bones cannot be aligned properly without opening the skin.

Recovery and Rehabilitation

Healing usually takes about six weeks in a cast or splint. After this, the wrist may be stiff and weak. Physical therapy helps regain strength and mobility. Keeping your fingers, elbow, and shoulder moving during recovery can prevent stiffness. Elevating your wrist reduces swelling. Full recovery might take three months or longer. Following your therapist’s advice is essential to return to normal activity.

Supporting Your Wrist During Recovery

Having the right support while your wrist heals can really help. The VibrantFit TFCC Support Wrist Brace is a solid choice. It gently stabilizes your wrist, especially if you’ve hurt the small ligaments or bones. The brace helps ease pain and swelling by keeping your wrist from moving in ways that could make the injury worse. At the same time, it’s comfortable to wear and lets you do everyday tasks without too much trouble. It fits either wrist and can be worn during the day to support healing from breaks or sprains. Using a brace like this, along with following your doctor’s advice and doing rehab exercises, can help your wrist get stronger faster.

Also read : How to avoid wrist pain during weightlifting

Complications

Potential complications can happen after a broken wrist. Sometimes the bones heal in the wrong position, which can cause the wrist to look deformed or make it difficult to move. If the fracture affects the joint surface, arthritis may develop later on. Damage to nerves or blood vessels can lead to numbness or circulation problems. Some people experience complex regional pain syndrome, which causes long-lasting pain. Tendon injuries or conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome may also occur. Getting treatment early and following up with your doctor helps reduce the risk of these complications.

Prevention

You can lower your risk of breaking your wrist by keeping your bones strong. Eating a healthy diet and staying active help a lot. Avoiding smoking also protects your bones. Making sure your home is safe and well-lit can prevent falls, which are a common cause of wrist injuries. If you play sports with a higher chance of falling or wrist injuries, wearing wrist guards is a smart choice. For those at risk of osteoporosis, regular bone density checks are important. Taking these steps helps protect your bones and lowers the chance of getting hurt.

When to See a Doctor

If your wrist hurts badly or is very swollen, you should see a doctor right away. A wrist that looks bent or misshapen is also a reason to get medical help quickly. If you find it hard to move your fingers or your wrist, don’t wait to get checked. Feeling numbness or tingling in your hand or fingers is a warning sign. Open wounds or bleeding around the wrist need immediate care. Getting treatment early can help you heal better and avoid lasting problems.

Living with a Broken Wrist

Adjusting to limitations during healing can be hard. You may need help with daily tasks. Staying positive and patient is important. Follow your healthcare team's advice closely. Support from family or support groups can help you cope. Most people regain good wrist function with proper care.

Conclusion

A broken wrist is painful but treatable. Early recognition and treatment prevent complications. Whether treated with a cast or surgery, following medical advice and rehabilitation will aid full recovery. Protect your bones and prevent falls to reduce future injury risk. If you injure your wrist, seek help promptly for the best outcome.