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All About Distal Radius Fracture
Did you accidentally hurt your wrist? Thereafter, are you experiencing unusual swelling and pain that doesn’t seem to go away? You might be suffering from ‘Distal Radius Fracture‘.
What is distal radius fracture?
The distal radius is a bone found in the forearm. The radius is the larger of the two bones in the area, with the distal end pointing towards the wrist. As a result, when the radius bone at the wrist fractures, it is referred to as a distal radius fracture.
What are the causes of distal radius fracture?
The reason for all theses symptoms, is a compression of the biggest nerve to the hand at the carpal tunnel, an anatomical structure at wrist level.
Falls
A bad fall onto an outstretched arm is the most prevalent cause of a distal radius fracture. A fall like this might happen while carrying out ordinary tasks or while participating in sports.
Bone problems
Individuals with a bone condition, such as osteoporosis, are more prone to wrist fractures even due to a minor fall. Orthopaedic disease generally makes the bones in the body exceptionally fragile, making an individual prone to fractures of this type.
A broken wrist is generally a result of a direct blow to the wrist. So, when bones are unhealthy, the chances of them getting displaced are quite high.
Age factor
Injuries of this type might also be exacerbated by age. Distal radius fracture are more common in those over the age of sixty than in younger people. Weak bones or another medical condition causes fractures in the elderly.
Also, lack of protein, usage of illicit substances or menopause in women can make bones more likely to get easily injured.
What are the signs and symptoms of distal radius fracture?
Signs of a major injury in this location, like most fractures, are generally visible. While certain distal radius fracture are more severe than others, the most typical symptom of a distal radius break is extreme discomfort.
Swelling is another symptom of a broken wrist. In certain situations, the swelling can become so severe that moving the damaged hand or wrist becomes difficult or impossible. There may be tingling in the fingertips or limited finger movement.
Depending on the degree of the fracture, the break may even manifest physically. For example, if a bone shifts, your wrist may appear distorted.
If you believe you have fractured your wrist, look for the following symptoms:
- Sharp discomfort immediately following the collision. The sound or sensation of bone cracking may accompany a fracture at times.
- You may suffer abnormal swelling and soreness in your wrist right away, which will only worsen.
- A numbness that prevents you from moving your fingers or hand.
- Forearm or wrist deformity
What are the treatment options for distal radius fracture?
When left untreated, distal radius fracture can lead to subsequent complications with long-term consequences. Patients have many distal radius fracture treatment choices.
The main concept for treating broken bones is to return the shattered components to their original location and utilise setting procedures to ensure they do not move while healing. It is vital to note that the type of medical therapy a physician administers is determined by the severity of the fracture, the patient’s age, and activity level.
Non-Surgical option
If the fractured wrist occurred in a good position, our hand surgery specialist may simply place a plaster cast that the patient must wear until the distal radius bone heals fully.
If the bone is out of alignment, Splint and Cast method is used to stabilise the wrist. This technique requires making a small incision at the injury site and setting the bone in a cast.
Surgical option
In severe situations, the fractured bone is so out of alignment that it cannot be repaired or realigned without a surgical incision. An open wrist fracture requires immediate surgical treatment. Surgical treatment methods can possibly affect the future use of the forearm or wrist.
Our hand surgeon makes an incision in the area to access the fractured bones during surgery. Following surgery, the doctor may employ a variety of methods to maintain the bone in place while it heals, which may include:
- Pins made of metal
- Screws or a cast plate
- A framework for external stabilisation
- Or a blend of the approaches listed above
Consult our hand surgery specialist in Dubai for best treatment
Prof Dr Robert Hierner is a renowned hand surgeon in Dubai having 30 years of rich experience in all types of reconstructive surgeries. He is a board-certified plastic surgeon and has a strong reputation for handling many complex cases successfully. His unique and detail-oriented approach are two of the attributes that set him apart as an eminent hand and body contouring specialist.
Book an appointment for an apt line of treatment for your wrist fracture.
Also Read : Hand Fracture – Signs, Causes, and Treatment
