Symptoms and evaluation
Pain, swelling, bruising and deformity after a fall or trauma should prompt evaluation, particularly when there is numbness, tingling, an open wound or marked deformity. X-rays define the fracture pattern; CT imaging can be useful for selected complex joint injuries.
Treatment options
Stable, well-aligned fractures may be treated with splinting or casting and interval radiographs. Reduction may be needed when alignment is unacceptable. Surgical fixation is considered when fracture displacement, instability, joint involvement, patient needs or other features make operative treatment appropriate.
Recovery and return to activity
Wrist-fracture recovery depends on fracture severity and treatment. Finger motion and swelling control are important early. Wrist motion, strengthening and return to heavier activity are advanced according to healing and fracture stability.
When to seek evaluation
Persistent pain, numbness, weakness, loss of motion, deformity or symptoms that interfere with sleep, work or daily activities are reasonable reasons to seek an orthopedic evaluation. Urgent injuries with severe deformity, open wounds or compromised circulation require prompt medical attention.
Common questions
A distal radius fracture is a break near the wrist end of the radius. Whether surgery is needed cannot be determined by the diagnosis alone; alignment, stability, joint involvement, bone quality and the patient’s functional needs all influence treatment.
Specialized upper-extremity care
Dr. Devin W. Collins is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with fellowship training in hand, upper-extremity and microvascular surgery. Treatment recommendations are individualized to the diagnosis, severity, goals and needs of each patient.