Wrist Fracture

Wrist fractures are very common and can be caused by sports injuries, car accidents, falls, or osteoporosis (bone weakening related to aging). The signs and symptoms include sudden pain, rapid swelling, difficulty using the hand and wrist, a crooked or deformed appearance, and inability to grip objects.

The wrist is made up of eight small carpal bones and two bones in the forearm called the radius and the ulna. Any of these bones can be fractured, but the radius (closest to the thumb) is the most common and typically occurs from a fall onto an outstretched arm.

If you suspect you or your child may have a broken wrist, it is important to seek medical attention from a provider at Lancaster Orthopedic Group as soon as possible.

An X-ray will confirm if the wrist is broken and whether the fracture is nondisplaced (still in its normal position), displaced (out of normal alignment), or comminuted (fractured into several different pieces).

Depending on the type of fracture, the physician may recommend a cast or splint to immobilize the wrist while the fracture heals. If the fracture is complicated (displaced or comminuted), surgery will be required to realign the bones and hold them together while they heal.