What is a Wrist Fracture?

Your wrist is a complex and essential part of your body. It links your hand to your forearm and lets you move your hand in many different ways. A wrist fracture happens when one or more bones in this joint break. While wrist fractures are quite common, they can differ a lot in how serious they are. Knowing what a wrist fracture is can help you spot the injury sooner and get the right treatment to heal properly.

Anatomy of the Wrist

Your wrist consists of ten bones: eight small carpal bones and two longer bones in your forearm called the radius and ulna. These bones work together to provide both strength and flexibility to your wrist. The radius is the larger bone located on the thumb side, while the ulna sits on the side of your little finger. Because of this complex arrangement, wrist injuries can vary depending on which bone is broken and how serious the break is. This also influences the kind of treatment you will need.

What is a Wrist Fracture?

Wrist fractures most often happen because of sudden falls. Older adults, whose bones may be weaker or less dense, are especially at risk of breaking a wrist when they fall. On the other hand, people who take part in high-impact sports or activities like football or mountain climbing also face a greater chance of fracturing their wrist.

Types of Wrist Fractures

Wrist fractures vary depending on how severe they are and where the break happens:

• Non-displaced fractures: The bone cracks but stays in place. These are usually stable and easier to treat.
  
• Displaced fractures: The broken bone shifts out of its normal position and often needs to be realigned.
  
• Unstable fractures: The bones tend to move even after being set, which typically means surgery is needed.
  
• Comminuted fractures: The bone breaks into several pieces and usually requires surgical repair.
  
• Open fractures: The bone breaks through the skin, raising the risk of infection.

Common wrist fractures are often identified by their location. The distal radius fracture is the most frequent, occurring near the wrist end of the radius. A Colles’ fracture is a type where the bone shifts upward, while a Smith’s fracture involves downward displacement. In children, greenstick fractures happen when the bone bends and cracks on one side. Scaphoid fractures affect a small bone near the thumb, and distal ulna fractures involve the ulna near the wrist, often alongside radius breaks. Each type needs specific treatment based on its position and severity.

Wrist Fracture vs Wrist Sprain

It is easy to confuse a wrist fracture with a sprain because both cause pain and swelling. However, they are very different injuries. A fracture involves a broken bone, while a sprain damages ligaments that connect bones. Wrist fractures usually cause more severe pain, visible deformity, and reduced wrist movement. Sprains often cause less intense pain and bruising but do not affect bone structure.

Symptoms of a Wrist Fracture

Common signs that you might have fractured your wrist include:

• Severe pain, especially when trying to move your wrist or hand
  
• Swelling and bruising around the wrist area
  
• Visible deformity or an unusual shape of the wrist
  
• Difficulty or inability to move the wrist normally
  
• Numbness or tingling in the fingers or hand
  
• Tenderness when touching the wrist
  
  

Causes and Risk Factors

Wrist fractures often happen after:

• Falling onto an outstretched hand
  
• High-impact sports injuries such as football, skiing, or rugby
  
• Motor vehicle accidents or direct trauma
  
• Conditions like osteoporosis that weaken bones
  
  

Treatment of Wrist Fractures

Treatment depends on the fracture type, location, and your overall health.

Non-surgical treatments include:

Non-surgical treatments for wrist fractures often start with immobilising the wrist using a cast or splint, which helps keep the bones in place while they heal. Sometimes, if the bones have shifted, a procedure called closed reduction is done to realign them without surgery. Alongside this, pain relief medications are commonly used to manage discomfort. Once the initial healing has taken place, physical therapy usually begins to help restore strength and movement in the wrist. This approach is effective for many types of stable fractures.

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Surgical treatments include:

Surgical treatments for wrist fractures are often necessary when the break is severe or unstable. This can involve open reduction and internal fixation, where plates and screws are used to hold the bones securely in place. Sometimes, temporary pins are inserted to stabilise the bones during healing. In more complex cases, reconstructive surgery may be needed to repair the damage. After surgery, rehabilitation plays a crucial role in helping you regain strength, flexibility, and full function of your wrist.

Wrist Supports and Braces

There are several types of wrist supports designed to aid recovery and relieve pain from various conditions. Wrist splints for carpal tunnel help keep the wrist in a neutral position, reducing pressure on the median nerve. TFCC support wrist braces provide stability to the wrist’s ulnar side, easing pain from ligament injuries. ErgoThumb spica splints offer targeted support for both the thumb and wrist, making them ideal for arthritis or tendonitis. UltraFlex wrist braces deliver flexible compression for general wrist discomfort while allowing comfortable movement. Performance wrist braces combine durability and adjustable support, perfect for both injury recovery and everyday protection. Using the right brace can improve comfort and promote faster healing.

When to See a Doctor

Seek medical help if you experience:

• Severe wrist pain after an injury
  
• Visible deformity or swelling
  
• Loss of sensation or movement in fingers or hand
  
• Pain that worsens or does not improve within 48 hours
  
  

Conclusion

Wrist fractures can vary greatly in severity and type, but timely diagnosis and proper treatment are key to a full recovery. Using the right wrist support, such as splints or braces tailored to your specific injury, helps protect the wrist and speed healing. Whether managing a fracture, carpal tunnel, or ligament injury, choosing effective support makes a real difference in comfort and recovery. Always consult a healthcare professional to find the best option for your needs.