A wrist fracture is a break in one or more of the bones that make up the wrist. It commonly involves the radius or ulna in the forearm, or the small carpal bones of the wrist. Fractures may be displaced or undisplaced and can vary in severity.
Is this an emergency?
Yes, if there is an open wound with significant deformity/bone visible or numbness please seek medical attention immediately.
For closed wrist fractures, prompt medical assessment is important to determine the extent of the injury and appropriate treatment.
Please contact 1300HANDOC for advice and further instructions.
- Wrist pain and tenderness
- Swelling and bruising
- Difficulty moving the wrist or hand
- Pain with gripping or using the hand
- Reduced strength
- Visible deformity or abnormal wrist position
- Numbness or tingling in the hand or fingers
- Falls / Falls onto outstretched hand
- Trauma to the wrist or direct impact
- Sports Injury
- Occupational injuries
- Some medical conditions may increase the risk of a wrist fracture when an injury is concerned including osteoporosis
- History including mechanism of injury
- Clinical Examination
- Xrays
- CT or MRI
Treatment for wrist fractures depends on the type and severity of the fracture, including whether it is open or closed, displaced or undisplaced, and stable or unstable, as well as the associated symptoms. Management may range from immobilisation with a splint and hand therapy to surgical intervention.
Please contact 1300HANDOC to discuss the recommended treatment pathway based on the injury.
1300 426 362