Hand & Wrist Fractures

What are hand and wrist fractures?

A fracture is a type of acute injury that affects a bone. It can be as small as a crack or large enough to break a single bone into multiple pieces.

Hand and wrist fractures happen when something applies too much force, and one or more bones break under the pressure. This often happens when you catch yourself with your hands after falling. 

There are two distinct categories of hand and wrist fractures:

Displaced fractures

Displaced fractures happen when the bone breaks entirely into two or more pieces. Those pieces are no longer in alignment due to significant shifting. 

Nondisplaced fractures

Nondisplaced fractures include fractures that have or have not broken the bone into multiple pieces. In either case, all parts of the bone or its fragments are still in alignment. 

How do I know if I have hand and wrist fractures?

Hand and wrist fractures usually happen very suddenly, and so does the pain that comes with them. Numerous bones make up your hand and wrist, so the exact location of the pain depends on which bone or bones broke. Beyond general pain and discomfort, hand and wrist fractures can cause symptoms like:

• Pain that gets worse when you grip objects or move your wrist
• Swelling
• Tenderness
• Numbness
• Visible deformity
• Dark bruising

Getting immediate treatment for a fracture improves your chances of a full recovery, so you should report symptoms like these to a medical professional as soon as the injury happens. 

Premier Foot and Ankle Center & Elite Upper Extremity and Plastic Surgery uses advanced diagnostic tools like X-rays to assess the injury after a physical exam. 

How are hand and wrist fractures treated?

Immobilization is one of the most important treatments for any hand and wrist fracture. Holding the injury stable with a splint, brace, or cast helps align it and promotes effective healing. 

Premier Foot and Ankle Center & Elite Upper Extremity and Plastic Surgery may customize your hand and wrist fracture treatment plan with additional services and therapies, including:

• Medications for pain and inflammation
• Ice and heat therapy
• Physical therapy
• Surgical procedures

Surgery is usually only necessary for severe displaced hand and wrist fractures. Your providers at Premier Foot and Ankle Center & Elite Upper Extremity and Plastic Surgery work with you through the rehabilitative period after surgery to help you make a full recovery. 

If you have hand and wrist fracture symptoms and need top-of-the-line care, call Premier Foot and Ankle Center & Elite Upper Extremity and Plastic Surgery, or book your visit online today.