Accidental falls are the main cause of wrist fractures. The wrist is a very complex joint, made up of many bones that can fracture

Types of wrist fracture?

There are many types of wrist fractures, one of the most common being a radius fracture, others being, for example, fractures of the carpal, scaphoid and lunate bones.

Generally, in the presence of a fracture there is significant pain that is accompanied by functional impotence and reduced mobility of the fingers, with the inability to move the hand.

Some fractures, however, may be painless.

If there is swelling, deformity and pain, we are looking at a fracture, but if there is good mobility and a regular wrist profile, it is more likely to be a contusion.

What to do in the event of a wrist fracture?

In the case of a fracture, it is necessary to go to the emergency room, but it is good to immobilise the wrist, with a simple procedure that can also be done at home with what you have available.

You can, for example, take a piece of cardboard, such as the lid of a shoebox, from which the corners must be removed, and extend your arm forward and place the cardboard under your arm, obviously including your wrist and hand.

If possible, cotton wool can also be placed between the arm and the cardboard, so as to avoid direct contact of the arm with the cardboard.

A bandage is then used to wrap the whole thing, so that the cardboard remains attached to the arm and the wrist is thus immobilised; if gauze is not available, a tea towel will do.

With the wrist immobilized in this way, the patient goes to the emergency room.

X-ray and choice of treatment

Once in the emergency room, a clinical examination by a specialist and an X-ray will be taken; this examination confirms the presence of a fracture and also shows the type of fracture.

In some cases, a CT scan may be useful, to better study the fracture.

If the fracture is not stable and cannot be reduced with a plaster cast, surgery is necessary.

Simple fractures can be treated with a plaster cast, while more complex fractures involving the joint must be treated surgically.

Today, the most common intervention is osteosynthesis with a plate: a plate with screws is applied, which in most cases does not need to be removed; it is a simple operation, which takes approximately 30 minutes to an hour.

It is not possible to return to a completely normal condition, but a condition can be achieved that allows normal use of the hand and wrist.

A fracture usually heals within 5 weeks, but with proper intervention it is possible to regain basic hand function much sooner.

Read Also:

Wrist Fracture: How To Recognise And Treat It

Fractures And Injuries: What To Do When Ribs Are Broken Or Cracked?

Hand And Wrist Sprains And Fractures: The Most Common Causes And What To Do

Source:

Humitas