A broken wrist is a break or a crack in one or more bones in the wrist, including the eight carpal bones and the end of the forearm bones, called the radius and the ulna. Some breaks can be obvious, while others are more subtle. Either way, it’s essential to have a wrist break taken care of right away. Delay in treatment could allow the bones to set incorrectly, resulting in pain or loss of mobility later.
Symptoms of a Broken Wrist
Some breaks are easier to spot than others. Displacement breaks are the easiest to see because the wrist is often bent at an odd angle or where it shouldn’t be, such as at the top of the forearm. Hairline fractures or cracks are harder to see because the bones aren’t actually moved from their regular locations.
Symptoms of a broken wrist include pain, tenderness, bruising, swelling, or deformity of the wrist. Numbness or limited mobility of the hand, finger, or wrist can also be a sign. Contact us right away if you have any of these symptoms after a sports injury, fall, direct blow, car accident, or other accident.
Treatment of a Broken Wrist
We will use x-rays to determine whether your wrist is fractured. If a fracture is found, we can recommend treatment based on the severity. Treatment can range from a cast and pain treatment with over-the-counter pain medication to surgery for severe breaks.
