Minor fractures with minimal displacement do very well with non-surgical treatment. Wrist fractures do not always require surgery, and many heal just fine without an operation. Non-Surgical Treatment for Wrist Fractures In cases where there are many pieces or severe intra articular fractures, a CT (Computed Tomography) Scan is ordered to help guide surgical treatment. Often three or more x-rays are taken to show the injury pattern. This helps doctors and patients make an informed decision on treatment. X-rays are used to evaluate the location, type, and severity of the broken bone. Sometimes the bone pushes against the skin causing it to “tent.” Too much pressure can result in the bone coming through the skin. The doctor will also look for any open wounds over the injury. Sometimes patients with wrist fractures can develop acute carpal tunnel syndrome with numbness in the thumb, index and middle fingers. Important blood vessels and nerves lie near the distal radius, and can be injured when it breaks. Physical examination is important in the evaluation of these injuries. If this becomes uneven, wrist arthritis can occur. The distal radius does have a cartilage joint surface that helps the wrist joint glide smoothly. All the wrist bones are important for function and their shape and position must be perfect to allow for full wrist range of motion. The distal radius is the largest support bone of the wrist. Each requires specific types of treatment, so it is important for your doctor to diagnose and treat your injury appropriately. Other types of distal radius fractures include intra articular, extra-articular, simple and comminuted fractures. This is called an open fracture and needs urgent surgery. Sometimes the bone breaks and sticks out through the skin. The bone can break in many different ways and can range in severity. This can occur in patients of all ages from a variety of traumatic causes, and it is a very common injury. John Zebrack, MD General Orthopedic SurgeryĪ distal radius fracture is a break of the larger bone of the wrist. Jeffrey Webster, MD General Orthopedic Surgery Nichole Joslyn, MD Hand & Upper Extremity Thomas Christensen, MD Hand & Upper Extremity James Christensen, MD Hand & Upper Extremity ![]() It's especially important for older people and those with osteoporosis to get medical help if they have had an injury, as their bones are weaker and may break more easily.Nikola Babovic, MD Hand & Upper Extremity You can take paracetamol with some water if needed for pain. It's best not to eat or drink anything if you think you've broken a bone, as you may need a general anaesthetic to allow doctors to realign it. You may also have long-term problems with your joints. If you do not receive the correct treatment, you could develop a serious infection or a permanent deformity. The broken bone must be properly aligned and held in place, often with a plaster cast, so it heals in the correct position. You may need an X-ray to check if you have broken a bone. If you're not sure what to do, call 111 or get help from 111 online. Call 999 for an ambulance if the injury to the leg seems severe or you're not able to get to A&E quickly.Īlways call 999 for very severe suspected breaks, such as a broken hip, neck or back. Go to your nearest A&E for a broken arm or leg. If you think you may have broken your toe or finger, you can go to a minor injury unit or urgent care centre. Get medical help as soon as possible if you think you've broken a bone. If the break is small or it's just a crack, you may not feel much pain or even realise that you've broken a bone. ![]() You may also feel cold and sweaty, faint, dizzy or sick as a result of the shock of breaking a bone.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |