![]() ![]() The splint may be used initially for a few days till the swelling subsides, after which a cast may be placed. After the alignment of the bones, your doctor will place a splint or cast on your arm. For this, your doctor may perform closed reduction, which involves moving the broken bone pieces into place and straightening the bone without opening the skin. If the broken bones are nonaligned, realignment of the broken fragments may be required. If the bone is aligned properly even after the fracture, a plaster cast may be enough to allow it to heal on its own. The choice of treatment will depend on your age, level of activity, nature of the fracture, and your surgeon’s preference. You can protect your wrist with a splint and apply an ice pack while keeping the wrist elevated until the doctor examines it. Sometimes, a computer tomography (CT) scan may be required to get a detailed view of the fractured fragments. Your doctor will diagnose distal radius fractures by ordering an X-ray of the wrist to detect broken or displaced bone and determine the number of pieces the bone is broken into. How is a Distal Radius Fracture Diagnosed? The broken wrist may also appear deformed. The symptoms of distal radius fractures include bruising, swelling, immediate pain and tenderness, and limited mobility. What are the Symptoms of Distal Radius Fractures? Major trauma to the wrist during a vehicular accident.Minor falls with the presence of osteoporosis (fragile bones).What are the Causes of Distal Radius Fractures?įalling on an outstretched arm is the most common way to fracture the distal radius. Comminuted fracture: Bone fractured into more than two pieces.Open fracture: Fractured bone that breaks through the skin.Extra-articular fracture: Fracture not extending into the wrist joint.Intra-articular fracture: Fracture extending into the wrist joint.Other types of distal radius fractures include: The most commonly occurring distal radius fracture is the Colles fracture, which is characterized by an upward tilting of the broken radius bone. The distal radius can get fractured in various ways, but it generally occurs around 1 inch from the distal end of the wrist. What are the Different Types of Distal Radius Fractures? The region towards the wrist is called the distal end. The radius is the larger of the two forearm bones. Physical therapy can help expedite the recovery process, but most patients are able to comfortably return to all types of activities within 3 to 6-months.The forearm consists of two bones, the radius, and ulna. Wrist stiffness is common following surgery, and will generally loosen within a few months. Most patients return to any and all former activities following a distal radius fracture, but each fracture is unique and carries its own recovery timetable. Prior to realigning the fracture, exposed tissue and bone is thoroughly cleaned and antibiotics are provided to help avoid infection. When dealing with Open fractures, surgery is required within 8 hours of the injury. Upon repositioning the fracture, metal plates, pins, and screws are often used to hold the bone in a correct position while it heals. The surgical procedure involves an incision that allows direct access to the broken portion of bone. Surgery becomes a necessity when bone fragments are so far out of place that corrections cannot be maintained in a cast. During diagnosis, doctors will confirm the classification of your specific break through X-ray and then make an appropriate treatment suggestion. Prior to treatment, your wrist is protected with a splint and an ice pack is applied immediately. Casts are commonly removed after 6 weeks when patients begin physical therapy. In fractures where broken bone fragments are slightly out of alignment, doctors may use a non-surgical technique known as reduction to re-align the broken bone before applying a cast. If the broken portion of bone is in a good resting position, doctors will typically apply a plaster cast to hold the bone in place until it heals. ![]() Depending on the type of fracture involved, your age, and your activity level, there are many treatment options for a distal radius fracture. ![]()
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