Whenever the radius – one of the two long bones in the forearm – fractures near the wrist, it is called a distal radius fracture. Fractures of the distal radius are very common. Among all the bones in the arm, the radius is the most commonly broken. Distal radius fractures vary in seriousness and consequently treatment also differs.

You may be able to wait until the next day to see a doctor if the injury is not extremely painful and the wrist is not deformed. A wrist splint may be used to protect it. While waiting for a doctor to examine the wrist, an ice pack can be applied to it and the wrist can be elevated.

Immediately go to an urgent care center or emergency room if the injury is very painful or the wrist is severely deformed.

A wrist X-ray will likely be ordered by the doctor to confirm the diagnosis. The X-ray can reveal whether the bone is broken and whether there is displacement (a gap between the broken bones). In addition, they can show how many pieces of bone have been broken.

Some doctors order computed tomography (CT) scans to provide 3-D images of broken bones. Planning surgery can be made easier with this information.

Distal radius fractures usually occur within an inch of the end of the bone. There are many different ways in which this very common fracture can occur to anyone of any age. The majority of these fractures occur in young people as the result of high-energy accidents, like falls from ladders or car crashes. Falling on the wrist can result in distal radius fractures in older individuals, especially those who have osteoporosis.

Bruising, swelling, and pain are all common symptoms of a broken wrist. There are many cases in which the wrist hangs in an odd or bent way (deformity).

Occasionally, very severe fractures can result in numbness in the fingers due to damage to the nerves in the hand. A wrist injury that causes numbness in your fingers should be treated at an urgent care center or emergency room right away. In order to prevent permanent nerve damage, it may be necessary to address the injury as soon as possible.

There are so many types of distal radius fractures and so many treatment options, that recovery is different for everyone. Find out what your recovery program involves and how you can return to your daily activities by speaking to your doctor. The recovery from distal radius fractures can take three months or more, and full recovery can take one year. But once again, each patient’s recovery journey has the potential to be drastically different.

Until the bone heals, a cast may be applied if it is in a good position. Re-aligning the broken bone fragments may be necessary if they are out of place and likely to limit your arm’s use in the future. Doctors move broken pieces into place through reduction, which is a technical term. Closed reductions are performed without opening the skin (incision) to straighten the bone.

To maintain the alignment of the bones, a splint or cast may be placed on your arm. Splints are usually used for the first few days after surgery to allow for swelling. After the swelling subsides, a cast is usually applied a few days to a week later. As the swelling decreases, the cast loosens, so it is frequently changed 2 or 3 weeks later.

Distal radius fractures can be treated in the Orthopedic Group. We serve patients from Leesburg VA, Lansdowne VA, Stone Springs VA, Dulles, VA, Ashburn VA, Sterling VA, Aldie VA, South Riding VA, Herndon VA, Winchester VA, Reston VA, Chantilly VA, and nearby areas!