Wrist Fracture Treatment and Recovery

Rothman Orthopaedic Institute offers effective treatment for the most prevalent bone injuries, including wrist fractures.

Often, it is the individuals who are the most active that tend to suffer from the most frequent wrist fracture injuries. The recovery process requires the resting and icing of the injured body part, which means that athletics must be halted or limited for a period of time. Thus, players may have to stay off the field, skiers off the slopes, and runners off the track. In the case of wrist injuries, all patients regardless of their activity level will need to restrict the use of their wrist during healing. For many patients, their wrist fracture recovery plan requires the adjustment of everyday activities, so that the wrist does not experience pressure, stress, or use.

If you have experienced a wrist fracture, you need to ensure that you receive the best available treatment. The experts at Rothman Orthopaedic Institute offer exceptional wrist fracture recovery treatment that will help you return to a normal, active lifestyle as soon as possible.

A Closer Look At Wrist Injuries and Treatments

There are a wide variety of wrist injuries that a person may incur. One of the most common wrist injuries is a scaphoid fracture. The scaphoid is one of the smallest bones in the wrist and is located in the area where the wrist bends, thus, it is the bone most likely to break in an injury. Scaphoid fracture recovery may be treated nonsurgically if the fracture is located near the thumb. Otherwise, if the fracture occurs in the waist (middle of the scaphoid bone), or proximal pole (near the forearm), a surgical treatment may be necessary.

During scaphoid fracture surgery, an incision will be made by your orthopaedic surgeon, and metal implants (such as screws or wires) will be inserted to stabilize and align the scaphoid fracture until the bone has fully healed. The length of the incision will vary according to the type of fracture, its severity, and injury location (either on the front or back of the wrist).

Another prevalent wrist injury is the distal radius fracture, which occurs when the radius (the larger of the two forearm bones) breaks in the area closest to the wrist. The most common distal radius fracture is the Colles fracture, in which the broken radius bone tilts upward. Colles fracture recovery may require either non-surgical casting or, in severe cases, a surgical operation.

To surgically repair a Colles fracture, an incision is made to give the surgeon direct access to the damaged bones, and bone alignment is corrected using inserted stabilizers. A cast, metal pins, plates, screws, or an external fixator will externally hold and stabilize the bones to allow for healing.

While wrist injuries are a common problem, hand injuries may occur from similar accidents and cause comparable restriction of activity. Hand fractures may be experienced in the small or long finger bones. Hand fracture treatment can generally be administered through non-surgical means, though surgery may be the most effective treatment in some cases.

The recovery for each individual and each type of injury will be different. Some fractures are simple and may need a cast and time to heal. Others may require surgery and possibly physical therapy to regain full motion after healing. No matter what type of treatment plan you may need, Rothman Orthopaedic Institute is here to offer you the medical care you need from beginning to end. We will help you return to the activities you love as quickly as possible.

For more information, please visit us here or contact us at 1-800-321-9999.