Distal radius fracture (patient information)
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Rohan A. Bhimani, M.B.B.S., D.N.B., M.Ch.[2]
Overview
The radius is the larger of the two bones between your elbow and wrist. Distal radius fracture is a break in the radius close to the wrist. Typically, the break is located about an inch (2.5 centimeters) below where the bone joins the wrist. The break may extend into the joint with damage to the surrounding structure. Distal radius fracture is a common fracture that happens more often in women than men. In fact, it is the most common broken bone in young adults and for women up to the age of 75.
What are the symptoms of Distal radius fracture?
- Distal wrist fracture is caused by a forceful injury to the wrist. This may occur due to:
- Car accident
- Contact sports
- Falling while skiing, riding a bike, or other activity
- Falling on an outstretched arm (most common cause)
What causes Distal radius fracture?
Common causes of distal radius fracture may include:
- Trauma (Fall on an outstretched hand)
Who is at highest risk?
- Having osteoporosis is a major risk factor for wrist fractures.
- Osteoporosis makes bones brittle, so they need less force to break. Sometimes a broken wrist is the first sign of thinning bones.
Diagnosis
- The health care provider will perform a physical exam followed by a neurologic exam to look for any changes in strength, sensation, or reflexes.
- Tests may include:
- Wrist x-rays (taken from the front and the side)
- 3D CT scan
- MRI (if there are any neurologic changes noted on the exam or if soft tissue isnjury is suspected)
When to seek urgent medical care?
Call your health care provider if you sustain any trauma to your wrist.
Treatment options
You will likely get a splint to keep your wrist from moving.
- If you have a small fracture and the bone pieces do not move out of place, you will likely wear a splint for 3 to 5 weeks. Some breaks may require you to wear a cast for about 6 to 8 weeks. You may need a second cast if the first one gets too loose as the swelling goes down.
- If your break is severe, you may need to see a bone doctor (orthopedic surgeon). Treatments may include:
- Closed reduction, a procedure to set (reduce) a broken bone without surgery
- Surgery to insert pins and plates to hold your bones in place or replace the broken piece with a metal part
- Exercising your fingers, elbow, and shoulder is important.
- It can help keep them from losing their function.
- Talk with your provider about how much exercise to do and when you can do it.
- Typically, the provider or surgeon will want you to start moving your fingers as soon as possible after the splint or cast is put on.
Where to find medical care for Distal radius fracture?
Medical care for scoliosis can be found here
Prevention of Distal radius fracture
Routine osteoporosis screening is now done in women after menopause. Because Osteoporosis makes bones brittle, so they need less force to break.
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
- The initial recovery from a wrist fracture can take 3 to 4 months or more. You may need physical therapy.
- You should start working with a physical therapist as soon as your provider recommends. The work may seem hard and at times painful. But doing the exercises you are given will speed your recovery.
- It can take anywhere from a few months to a year for your wrist to fully recover its function. Some people have stiffness and pain in their wrist for the rest of their life.
Possible complications
- Stiffness
- Aching.
- Severe wrist fractures can result in arthritis in the joint
- Cosmetic deformity
- Wrist infection after surgery
- Occasionally, additional treatment or surgery is needed