Common wrist fractures and repairs

Distal radius fracture

The most commonly broken wrist bone with a fall in an extended hand is a rupture of the distal radius. The radius is the largest of the two bones of the forearm and the end toward the wrist is called the distal end. When the area of??the radius near the wrist is broken, it is considered a fracture of the distal radius. Distal radius fractures are very common.

The symptoms of a distal radius fracture are immediate pain, bruising, swelling and tenderness. Many times the doll hangs strangely or bent, also known as deformity.

What are the risk factors for a distal radius fracture?

Osteoporosis is a risk factor for all types of fractures, especially a distal radius fracture. A broken wrist can also occur in healthy bones. Most of these types of fractures occur in people over 60 who fall from a standing position. The other subset of people who are injured in the wrist are young patients with a high-impact fall, which causes a break in a wrist that would otherwise be normal.

How is a distal radius fracture treated without surgery?

Treatment for a fracture of the distal radius involves the nature of the fracture, the age and level of activity of the injured person, and the personal preferences of the orthopedic specialist. The doctor can mold the broken bone if it is in a good position and is stable. Sometimes, the orthopedic specialist must straighten the bone (reduce it) before applying a cast. This is what doctors call closed reduction. The cast is usually used for about 6 weeks and at that time the doctor may order physical therapy to help with the rehabilitation.

What does surgical treatment involve?

There are times when fractures of the distal radius cause the bone to be so out of place that it cannot be corrected without surgery. The orthopedic surgeon will make an incision to directly access the broken bones to improve alignment. The bone can be held in the correct position with the use of a plate and screws, metal pins, an external fixator or any combination of techniques.

Fracture of the wrist scaphoid

The scaphoid bone is one of the small bones in the wrist, and it is the wrist bone that is most likely to break. It is located on the thumb side of the wrist in the area where the wrist bends. It can be easily located when the thumb is held in a "hitchhiking" position. The scaphoid bone is at the base of the hole made by the tendons of the thumb.

Fracture symptoms include pain, swelling and tenderness at the base of the thumb. The pain will get worse when the person grabs something or tries to move the thumb or wrist. A scaphoid fracture is usually caused by a fall on an outstretched hand and is not always as painful as one might think.

What are the risk factors for a scaphoid fracture?

Anyone can fracture the scaphoid bone, but it is more common in athletes who participate in activities where falls are common. Men aged 20 to 30 are more likely to experience this type of injury.

How is a scaphoid fracture treated without surgery?

If the bone is in the right position and has a good blood supply, the orthopedic specialist can treat it with a cast. Plaster is usually used for 12 weeks. Many opt for surgical stabilization to minimize the duration of immobility.

What does surgical treatment involve?

Due to the precarious nature of the blood supply to the scaphoid, the orthopedic specialist may recommend surgery to optimize healing and prevent long-term wrist arthritis. During the procedure, metal implants (such as screws and wires) are used to hold the scaphoid in place until the bone is fully healed. The surgeon makes an incision in the front or back of the wrist to align the bone, insert the metal implants and repair the damage. In special situations where the bone is not healing well on its own, a bone graft may be necessary to aid in healing. A bone graft is a new bone that is placed around the broken bone to help stimulate bone healing. This allows the bone pieces to heal together on a solid bone.

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