Wrist Fracture
A wrist fracture most often refers to a distal radius fracture — a break at the lower end of the radius bone, just above the wrist joint. It is one of the most common fractures in all of medicine, typically occurring when someone falls on an outstretched hand. About 640,000 distal radius fractures are treated in the US annually. They range from mild, minimally displaced breaks that heal well in a cast, to complex, unstable fractures requiring surgery to restore alignment and function.
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Symptoms
- Immediate pain, swelling, and tenderness at the wrist after a fall or impact
- Visible deformity or abnormal wrist contour
- Bruising that develops over hours
- Difficulty or inability to move the wrist
- Numbness in the fingers (suggests median nerve involvement)
When to See a Doctor
Go to an urgent care or emergency room if you have fallen and your wrist is painful, swollen, or looks deformed. X-rays are needed immediately to confirm the fracture and assess alignment. Many wrist fractures in healthy adults can be treated in the ER with casting, but unstable patterns need surgical evaluation promptly.
Treatment Options
Closed reduction and casting
For minimally displaced or stable fractures: the bone is realigned and immobilized in a cast for 6-8 weeks. Works well for many fracture patterns.
Surgical fixation (ORIF)
Open reduction and internal fixation with a volar locking plate. Recommended for displaced or unstable fractures that cannot be maintained in a cast, or for active patients who need reliable alignment.
External fixation
Used for highly comminuted fractures or when soft tissue swelling prevents early internal fixation.
Physical therapy
Essential after any wrist fracture to restore range of motion, grip strength, and functional use of the hand.
Recovery Timeline
Casting alone: 6-8 weeks in a cast, then 2-3 months of physical therapy. After surgery: 2-4 weeks of splinting, then progressive range-of-motion work. Most patients regain functional wrist use within 3-4 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my wrist is broken or just sprained?
You cannot reliably tell without an X-ray. Both cause pain, swelling, and tenderness. If there is significant swelling, visible deformity, or you cannot bear weight through the wrist, assume a fracture until imaging rules it out. A "sprain" that stays painful beyond 2-3 weeks should be re-evaluated.
Will I need surgery for a wrist fracture?
About 20-30% of distal radius fractures need surgery. The factors that push toward surgery include: significant displacement, angulation, shortening of the radius, involvement of the wrist joint surface, or instability on stress testing. Age and activity level also matter — a 45-year-old who works with their hands has different needs than an 80-year-old with low physical demands.
Will my wrist be normal after a fracture?
Most people recover good function. Some patients, particularly those with complex fractures or who are older, have residual stiffness, aching with weather changes, or reduced grip strength. Post-traumatic arthritis can develop years later if the joint surface was disrupted. Physical therapy is important for maximizing recovery regardless of how the fracture was treated.
Related Specialty
Hand Specialists →Wrist Fracture by State
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This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.