A broken wrist is a break or crack of the bones of the wrist. The wrist is made up of eight bones that connect with the two forearm bones. A wrist is the joint between forearm and hand. Wrist fracture can happen in any of these 10 bones. Some wrist fractures are stable in which bones are placed on their position. Some fractures are unstable in which bones are not back into their position. There are two main types of fracture in wrist.
- Colles fracture: a common fracture of the forearm near wrist
- Scaphoid fracture: fracture of a small wrist bone.
These types of injury occur in wrist when people try to hold themselves from fall. When you participate in sports then there is more chance of a broken wrist.
It is necessary to treat broken wrist early because the bones might not heal in proper alignment. It may affect your ability to do their daily task.
Symptoms of Wrist fracture
There is a list of signs and symptoms of Wrist fracture.
- Wrist pain
- Wrist swelling
- Wrist lump
- Decreased mobility
- Refer pain
- Fever
- Severe pain
When to call a doctor
If you think you might have a broken wrist, see a doctor immediately, especially if you have swelling or trouble moving your fingers. A delay in diagnosis and treatment can decrease range of motion and decreased grip strength.
Causes of Wrist fracture
Wrist fracture is caused by falling, blunt-force trauma and weak bones. There is a list of causes or underlying conditions.
- Falls. Falling onto an outstretched of your hands is one of the most common causes of a broken wrist.
- Sports injuries. Many wrist fractures occur during contact sports in which you might fall onto an outstretched hand — such as in-line skating.
- Motor vehicle crashes. Motor vehicle crashes can cause wrist bones and break and sometimes into many pieces.
Sports activities
Contact sports activities that increase your risk of falling can increase your risk of breaking bones in your wrist. Some Examples are there:
- Football
- Rugby
- Horseback riding
- Hockey
- Handball
- Snowboarding
- In-line skating
- Jumping on a trampoline
Build bone strength
To build strong bones:
- Eat a nutritious diet with calcium and vitamin D
- Get plenty of weight-bearing exercise
- Quit smoking
Complications
Complications of a broken wrist are rare, but they might include:
- Ongoing stiffness, aching or disability: Stiffness, pain or aching in the affected area normally goes away sometime after your cast is detach or after surgery. However, some people have permanent stiffness or pain. Be patient with your recovery. Talk to your doctor about exercises that might help to early recovery.
- Osteoarthritis: Fractures that extend into a joint can cause arthritis years later. When your wrist starts to hurt or swell long after a break then consult with doctor.
- Nerve or blood vessel damage: Trauma to the wrist can injure adjacent nerves and blood vessels. Take immediate action if you have numbness or circulation problems.
