Wrist Fracture

A wrist fracture is a break in one of the bones of the wrist. The wrist joint lies where the two bones of the forearm join the small bones of the hand. The wrist joint normally bends forward and extends backward. A significant amount of force in any one of these directions can cause these bones to break.

What are the causes and risks of the injury?

A bone fracture occurs when the force against a bone is greater than the strength of the bone. Common causes of wrist fractures include:

Factors that increase a person's risk of bone fracture include:

What are the signs and symptoms of the injury?

Signs and symptoms of a wrist fracture include:

How is the injury recognized?

Diagnosis of a wrist fracture begins with a medical history and physical exam. A joint X-ray can confirm the diagnosis. Rarely, a bone scan or MRI may be needed to detect hidden fractures.

What can be done to prevent the injury?

Injuries that cause wrist fractures can sometimes be prevented by:

To avoid wrist fractures in elderly individuals, the home should be made safe to prevent accidents. Ways to increase safety include:

Intriguing new research done in older individuals with arthritis found that brisk walking or weight training improved balance in those individuals. Improved balance could very well help avoid wrist fractures from falls.

Bone loss, which increases a person's risk of fractures, can be slowed by doing 30 minutes of moderate weight-bearing exercise a day. Weight-bearing exercise includes low-impact aerobics, walking, running, lifting weights, tennis, and step aerobics. A person doing moderate exercise can talk normally without shortness of breath and is comfortable with the pace of the activity. The 30 minutes a day can be done all in one session or broken up into smaller time periods.

Individuals can lower their risk of bone fractures following osteoporosis by:

What are the treatments for the injury?

Treatments to reduce pain and swelling are initially used for a wrist fracture. This includes medicine, elevating the injured arm, and applying ice. The treatment then involves returning the bones to their proper position and realigning broken ends. A cast, which holds the repaired bones in place, is the most common treatment method. Sometimes a temporary splint is used to allow for swelling before a cast is put on.

Surgery may be necessary for a severe fracture. It may also be used if the bones are not realigned properly or if the skin is open. In rare cases, a bone graft is used. In this procedure, a piece of bone is used to replace a damaged bone. Joint X-rays will need to be taken frequently to make sure the fracture is in a good position throughout the healing process. Exercises to maintain the flexibility of the fingers, elbow, and shoulder are also recommended.

What are the side effects of the treatments?

Surgery can cause infection, bleeding, and allergic reactions to the anesthesia.

What happens after treatment for the injury?

Most wrist fractures heal without problems. Initially after the cast or splint is removed, the arm or wrist is pale and slightly weak from lack of use. Physical therapy may be necessary to restore normal motion, strength, and function. Over time and with careful use, strength is gradually regained.

Possible long-term effects may include:

More serious long-term effects from a broken wrist can occur but are seen less often. Occasionally, tendons can be caught in scar tissue or break over a rough bone. Rarely, a person will develop "shoulder-hand syndrome," which includes:

Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider.

Author:John A.K. Davies, MD
Date Written:
Editor:Crist, Gayle P., MS, BA
Edit Date:06/30/01
Reviewer:Eileen McLaughlin, RN, BSN
Date Reviewed:06/04/01