What is a Wrist Fracture?
A wrist fracture occurs when any of the ten bones in your forearm or wrist breaks or cracks. Common causes include:
- Falling on an outstretched hand
- Car, bicycle, or motorcycle accidents
- Sports injuries
- Industrial accidents
- Heavy objects dropped on the wrist
You may be at a higher risk for wrist fractures if you play contact, high-impact sports or have a condition that causes low bone density, such as osteoporosis.
What are the Symptoms of a Wrist Fracture?
Symptoms may vary depending on the severity of the break, but often result in:
- Persistent pain
- Tenderness
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Clear physical irregularity, such as a bent wrist
- Limited range of motion in your wrist or hand
- Numbness or tingling at the tips of your fingers
- Stiffness
A fractured wrist is often accompanied by a grinding, crunching, or cracking noise.
Wrist Fracture Complications
It’s important to promptly treat your wrist fracture to prevent complications and ensure your bones heal correctly. If left untreated, wrist fractures may lead to complications such as:
- Nerve damage
- Chronic pain
- Ruptured tendons
- Osteoarthritis
- Reduced mobility
Wrist Fracture Treatment in Dawsonville, GA
Our skilled hand specialists treat a variety of wrist fractures including distal radius fractures, scaphoid fractures, smith’s fractures, and more. With extensive training in hand and wrist care, our doctors will guide you to a successful recovery and help you return to normal activities as soon as possible.
Treatment options may include:
- Anti-Inflammatories: Over-the-counter NSAIDs, like ibuprofen or naproxen, may help treat wrist fractures by reducing pain and inflammation.
- Closed Reduction: A closed reduction is a non-surgical procedure that sets broken bones without cutting the skin. Post-procedure, your wrist will be stabilized with a cast or splint. X-rays are often taken while you are in the cast or splint to monitor healing progress.
- Hand Therapy: Exercises may be prescribed to help restore range of motion and strength in the wrist.
- Surgery: Open reduction surgery is necessary if broken bones cannot be corrected with closed reduction. Our specialist will create a skin incision to access the fracture and realign the bones. Then, a cast, plates, screws, or other methods will be used to keep your bones in place while they heal.
Schedule an Appointment
Find relief from your wrist pain by booking an appointment at Specialty Orthopedics. Our fellowship-trained and board-certified experts are ready to help you. We serve patients in Braselton, Dawsonville, and Gainesville, with office hours Monday through Friday. Same-day appointments are available.
