Do you have a wrist fracture?
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Treatment
Treatment will depend on how severe the injury.
Treatment:
- Putting the pieces of the bone together, which may require anesthesia and/or surgery
- Keeping the pieces together while the bone heals itself
Devices that may be used to hold the bone in place while it heals:
- A cast (may be used with or without surgery)
- A metal plate with screws (surgery)
- Screws alone (surgery)
- Metal pins that cross the bone, with a metal splint on the outside of the wrist that holds the pins and the fractured bone in place (surgery)
The doctor may give you pain medication depending upon the level of pain. Your doctor will order more x-rays while the bone heals to make sure that the bones have not shifted.
Exercises
When your doctor decides you are ready, start range-of-motion and strengthening exercises. A physical therapist may help you with these exercises. Do not return to sports until your wrist is fully healed.
Healing Time
It takes 6-10 weeks for a fracture of the radius at the wrist to heal. A fracture of the scaphoid bone may take 10-16 weeks to heal.
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2024 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.