A wrist fracture is a common injury. However, the wrist is a complex joint made up of several small bones and two large bones. Anand Shah, MD, Mehul Taylor, MD, and the team at Valley Orthopedic Institute in Palmdale and Ridgecrest, California, specialize in wrist fracture care. They determine the type of fracture you have and develop the most effective treatment for healing. For expert care of your wrist fracture, call the office nearest you or schedule an appointment online today.
A wrist fracture is a broken wrist. However, the wrist is a complex joint made up of the two bones in your forearm — the radius and ulna — and eight tiny bones.
These bones form both small and large joints that support the mobility of your hand. A wrist fracture may refer to a break in any one of these bones.
Wrist fractures most often occur when falling on an outstretched arm. They’re also common workplace and sports injuries.
You may be at greater risk of developing a wrist fracture if you have osteoporosis, which is a serious bone disease that leaves your bones brittle and weak.
When you have a wrist fracture, you’re likely to have immediate pain and swelling. Moving your wrist may be impossible or worsen your pain.
You may also have an obvious deformity.
If you have a wrist fracture, schedule a consultation with the experts at Valley Orthopedic Institute. The board-certified orthopedic surgeons specialize in diagnosing and treating complex injuries that affect the wrist, like fractures.
Your orthopedic surgeon conducts a thorough examination when you come in with concerns about a wrist fracture. They review your symptoms and how the injury occurred.
The team also asks about which hand you use the most, your usual activities, previous injuries, and other medical conditions.
They examine your wrist and perform X-rays or an MRI to determine the type of fracture you have and the severity of the break.
The team takes an individualized approach to wrist fracture care. The specifics of your treatment depend on your age, activity, and the type of wrist fracture you have.
If you have a nondisplaced fracture, meaning your bones aren’t out of place, the team puts your wrist in a cast or splint to immobilize the joint to support healing.
For displaced fractures, when your bones are out of place or shattered, the team performs surgery to set your bones and hold them in place with external devices such as pins, screws, rods, or plates.
With an external fixation for a wrist fracture, the pins are held in place by an external frame outside the body. This keeps your bones stable while they heal.
Recovery from a wrist fracture may take months and require hand therapy once the bones heal.
For comprehensive wrist fracture care, call Valley Orthopedic Institute or schedule an appointment online today.
