Wrist Fracture: Overview
A broken wrist bone is medically known as a wrist fracture. A wrist consists of 08 bones that connect with the two long bones, known as the radius and ulna. Wrist fracture can happen when any of these ten bones break. However, the most common bone to break is the radius. A fracture to the radius bone is known as a distal radius fracture.
Some wrist fractures are non-displaced. For example, when a fracture occurs in which the bones do not move out of their places initially are non-displaced. These types of fractures are called stable fractures. In some wrist fractures, the bones are displaced but can be stable enough to treat through the best wrist braces, casts, or splints. On the other hand, in unstable fractures, the bone pieces tend to shift or move into a bad position before their complete healing. When an unstable fracture happens, wrist braces or casts are not effective enough to stabilise the broken bone. However, extreme level wrist fractures require serious medical attention or surgery to heal properly.
Here we come with the potential details on the common causes of wrist fracture. The potential treatment plans suggested by experts are also provided here. As well as this, you can get the possible preventive measures, helping you get an injury-free sports experience or perform your daily tasks efficiently.
Wrist fracture: Causes
The following are the significant causes leading to wrist fractures:
- Falling: Wrist fracture may occur when you fall directly on your outstretched arm or hand. The harshness of the injury depends upon the condition one falls on their outstretched hand or arm.
- Traumatic conditions: Some traumatic situations, such as road accidents or vehicle colliding, may also result in fractures.
- Sports injuries: A number of sports can cause wrist injuries. For example, racket sports, volleyball, netball, hockey, football, baseball, basketball, and some others can cause wrist injuries, including wrist fractures. These are high-contact sports requiring the repetitive movements of wrists, and some accidental conditions, such as colliding and falling, are also possible, causing wrist injuries.
- Weak bones: If you have weak bones, they are more likely to be fractured with even a little blow than the strongest or healthy wrist bones.
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Wrist Fracture: Symptoms
The symptoms of the wrist fracture may depend upon the severity of the damage. However, the common symptoms of the wrist fracture may include the following:
- Pain (it is usually felt when reflexing the wrist)
- Your pain may worsen when squeezing, gripping, or moving your wrists or hands
- You may also feel swelling around your wrists
- Bruising and tenderness are also common symptoms
- Deformity, such as a bent wrist, is also obvious in some cases
Wrist Fracture: Treatment plans
Whenever you feel intense or severe wrist pain during or after sports or other traumatic conditions, you should not ignore them and consult your GP immediately to diagnose the problem. Your GP or healthcare professional will perform several tests, including physical and radiological tests, helping them diagnose the problems. Based on the study or results of these diagnosing tests, your healthcare provider will suggest the potential treatment plans. The treatment plan may include non-surgical or surgical treatments depending upon your conditions:
Non-surgical treatments
The following are the non-surgical treatments that help restrict further damage and ease your wrist pain:
- Immobilisation: It is crucial to immobilise your broken wrist to control further damage. For this purpose, healthcare providers suggest wearing wrist braces or splints. Remember that wearing the best wrist braces or supports helps immobilise the unnecessary movements of your wrists, helping prevent further damage and promote healing.
- Medications: Experts also suggest taking medications to relieve pain and inflammation. Over the counter painkillers, such as anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), help relieve pain and swelling. As these drugs have some side effects, ensure that you use these drugs under the prescribed amount or instructions of your healthcare professionals.
- Therapy: Physical therapy or stretching exercises help strengthen your wrist bones. Ask your GP or healthcare provider if there is a need for physical therapy or stretching exercise. Ensure that you are doing any action under your healthcare provider’s instructions. Otherwise, you may get potential harms which can hamper the healing process.
Surgical treatments
Surgery to fix the wrist fracture is suggested when you have some severe conditions. During the wrist fracture surgery, the pins, plates, screws, and rods are implanted to hold your bones in a place, allowing the healing process. The fracture conditions requiring surgery may include the following:
- An open fracture
- A fracture during which the pieces of bone move before healing
- Loose bone parts that could enter the joint
- When the surrounding nerves, ligaments, or blood vessels get damaged
- A fracture extended into a joint
Wrist fracture: Preventive measures
Experts suggest some preventive measures following which you can avoid the chances of wrist fractures during sports and other workouts or traumatic conditions. Read all these preventive measures carefully and adopt them to have potential benefits:
1. Wear wrist braces
When you are involved in high-contact sports or workout activities, wearing the best wrist braces for weightlifting helps keep your wrist neutral. Consequently, there are fewer chances of the impacts of repetitive movements or overuse injuries. As well as this, wearing the wrist supports also helps speed up the recovery process after injury or surgery.
2. Build bone strength
Building bone strength is crucial to avoid the chances of wrist injuries. You can build strength by eating a nutritious diet with an adequate amount of calcium and Vitamin D. As well as this, getting plenty of weight-bearing exercises, such as brisk walking, helps you strengthen your bone. Moreover, experts also suggest quitting smoking, helping avoid the chances of bone fracture.
3. Wear protective gear
Must wear the protective gear when you are involved in high-risk activities, including:
- In-line skating
- Rugby
- Football
- Volleyball
- Weightlifting
- Snowboarding
4. Prevent falls
Falling directly on an outstretched hand or arm can cause a wrist fracture. You can prevent the chances of falling by adopting the following habits:
- Wear sensible footwear
- Light up your living space
- Fix grab bars in the bathroom and other required places
- Must install handrails on your stairways
- If possible, avoid slippery surfaces
5. Warm-up before every session
Never forget to warm up your body, especially wrists before every sport or workout session. It will help your wrist be active and strengthen, reducing the chances of injuries.
Buy the best wrist braces
Wrist injuries are possible when involved in high contact sports or other workout activities. As well as this, some traumatic conditions may also result in wrist-related injuries, including wrist fractures. Whenever you feel such symptoms mentioned above, you need to start a possible treatment plan. We suggest you adopt all the given preventive measures, helping you reduce the chances of injuries. Are you looking for the best wrist braces? 360 Relief provides you with the best wrist braces to help manage your wrist problems.
