What is a Broken Wrist?
A broken wrist, also known as a wrist fracture, typically refers to a break in one or more bones of the wrist joint. Wrist fractures are prevalent in both children and adults, often resulting from falls, sports injuries, or high-impact trauma such as car accidents.
Types of Wrist Fractures
The common types of wrist fracture include:
- Distal Radius Fracture: This fracture occurs near the end of the radius bone. Colles' fracture is a specific type of fracture where the broken fragment of the radius tilts upwards.
- Ulna Fracture: This fracture often occurs in conjunction with a distal radius fracture.
- Scaphoid Fracture: This fracture involves the scaphoid bone, one of the small bones in the wrist, and is common among athletes.
- Carpal Bone Fractures: These are less common and include fractures of the lunate, triquetrum, and other carpal bones.
Causes and Risk Factors of Broken Wrists
Wrist fractures usually result from a fall onto an outstretched hand. Other common causes include direct blows to the wrist, accidents, and sports injuries. Risk factors include:
- Osteoporosis: Weakened bones are more susceptible to fractures.
- Age: Elderly individuals are more prone due to decreased bone density.
- Sports Participation: Activities that involve a high risk of falls or direct impact.
- Certain Medical Conditions: Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis weaken bones and joints.
Symptoms of a Broken Wrist
A broken wrist typically presents with the following symptoms:
- Pain: Severe pain at the site of the fracture, which may worsen with movement.
- Swelling and Bruising: Around the wrist and sometimes the hand.
- Deformity: Visible deformity or abnormal positioning of the wrist.
- Loss of Function: Difficulty in moving the wrist or hand, and sometimes numbness or tingling if the nerves are affected.
Diagnosis of a Broken Wrist
Diagnosing a wrist fracture involves a combination of physical examination and imaging studies:
- Physical Examination: This is done to check for tenderness, swelling, and deformity.
- X-rays: This is the primary imaging tool to confirm the fracture and assess its extent.
- CT Scans and MRI: These imaging studies are used in complex cases to evaluate soft tissue involvement or to detect fractures not visible on X-rays.
Treatment of a Broken Wrist
The treatment approach for a broken wrist depends on the type and severity of the fracture:
Non-surgical treatment options include:
- Immobilization: This involves using a cast or splint to keep the wrist in place while it heals.
- Pain Management: NSAIDs or acetaminophen may be used to alleviate pain.
- Physical Therapy: Exercises may be recommended to restore movement and strength post-immobilization.
Surgical treatment options involve the following:
- Reduction: This is the realigning of the bone fragments surgically.
- Internal Fixation: Metal pins, plates, or screws may be used to hold the bones together during healing.
- External Fixation: A stabilizing frame outside the body may be attached to the bones via pins to hold the fractured segments in place.
Complications of Broken Wrist
Potential complications from wrist fractures include:
- Malunion or Nonunion: Improper or incomplete healing of the bone.
- Arthritis: Post-traumatic arthritis may develop in the affected joint.
- Nerve Damage: Injury to the median nerve, leading to carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Stiffness and Reduced Range of Motion: Particularly if physical therapy is not adequately followed.