How Do I Know If I Need Wrist Fracture Surgery
The following factors are considered by your doctor when assessing if wrist fracture surgery is necessary. If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then your doctor will most likely recommend surgery.
- Are the bones shifted out of position?
- Are the bones fragmented and unstable?
- Is the wrist joint, as a whole, affected by the injury?
Broken Wrist Recovery Time Statistics
Every persons body heals differently, and healing times can vary depending on the extent of your injury. However, to give you an idea of how long your wrist may take to heal we have included some general broken wrist recovery time statistics taken from these East Sussex NHS Healthcare leaflet:
- 4 to 6 weeks for the bone to fuse together
- 8 to 12 weeks for it to become as strong as it was before
- 12 months to completely regain full use of your wrist
How Broken Wrists Heal On Their Own
If your wrist has an uncomplicated break, such as at the end of the radius, it may heal on its own. You just need time and to immobilize your wrist to allow it to heal.;
In these cases, the ER doctor typically resets your broken bone, which can be quite painful. You will likely receive painkillers before they reset the bone.
Some of the treatments we use for a broken wrist include:
- Wearing a plaster cast or splint for about 6 to 8 weeks
- Wearing a splint to hold your wrist in place
- Having regular X-rays to make sure its healing properly
Once your bone sufficiently heals, you may need additional physical therapy to regain your range of motion and restore the former strength in your wrist. Physical therapy generally lasts about six weeks after the bone heals. Although it can initially be uncomfortable, physical therapy provides lasting pain relief.
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Is My Wrist Sprained Or Fractured
Even a small slip or fall onto an outstretched hand can injure your wrist, but just how bad is it? Should you ice and elevate the injury? Or go to the doctor for an X-ray? Orthopedic surgeon and hand specialist Dr. Andrew Tyser lends his expertise on this episode of The Specialists, and explains what to look out for when it comes to wrist injuries.
Dont Ignore Wrist Injuries
Wrist fractures, like essentially all broken bones are best treated when treated early.; This may be as simple and putting a brace on, which will immobilize and protect the bone easing the pain and preventing displacement.
Some fractures, like the scaphoid fracture, have poor outcomes when treated late.; Due to its unique blood supply, scaphoid fractures have higher risk of non-healing or nonunion than other wrist bones.; When this bone does not heal, it will, overtime, develop a predictable pattern of wrist arthritis.
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How Is A Broken Wrist Diagnosed
If you think you may have a broken wrist, you should see a doctor straight away.
Your doctor will assess your general condition, as well as the seriousness of your injury. They will ask about how the injury happened, any symptoms and your medical background.The most common way to diagnose a fracture is by an;x-ray.;These show the type of break and its location within the bone. Sometimes, a wrist fracture is hard to see on an x-ray. In that case, you may get a repeat x-ray after a week or more, or have a CT scan or MRI scan, depending on what the doctor thinks is most useful.;
Surgical And Other Procedures
You might need surgery to implant pins, plates, rods or screws to hold your bones in place while they heal. A bone graft might be used to help healing. These options might be necessary if you have:
- An open fracture
- A fracture in which the bone pieces move before they heal
- Loose bone fragments that could enter a joint
- Damage to the surrounding ligaments, nerves or blood vessels
- Fractures that extend into a joint
Even after reduction and immobilization with a cast or splint, your bones can shift. So your doctor likely will monitor your progress with X-rays. If your bones move, you might then need surgery.
In some cases, the surgeon will immobilize your fracture by using an external fixation device. This consists of a metal frame with two or more pins that go through your skin and into the bone on both sides of the fracture.
With external fixation, a metal frame outside your body immobilizes the fracture with two or more pins that pass through your skin and into the bone on either side of the fracture.
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Passengers Doctor Said Future Care Is $300k To $400k
Vincent presented the expert testimony of several doctors.; They were:
- Plastic surgeon;Dr. Theophilos
- Pain management;and;physical;rehabilitation;expert Dr. Mark Rubenstein
Dr. Rubenstein testified within a;reasonable degree of medical certainty that Vincent will require;future care;between;$300,000.00 and $400,000.00.
Further, Dr. Rubenstein;specifically did not include in his number any future treatment he deemed;possible.;;He only included future treatment;he was;reasonably certain;would be necessary.
Ive said it before.; All things equal, a;passengers personal injury case;is better than a drivers case.;;And the jury here proved that this was the case.
According to her attorney, all her doctors testified that her injuries were related to the accident.; All the doctors said that her;injuries were permanent.; They also agreed that she will need;future;medical care.
In addition, each doctor spoke about the pain involved in dealing with the injuries;suffered by her.
At trial, the jury awarded her $725,829.80 for past medical bills.; They awarded her $100,000 for past pain and suffering.; They gave her $400,000 for future pain and suffering.
The bad news for the passenger?
The jury only awarded her $30,000 for;future medical bills.
How Is A Wrist Fracture Treated
Our treatment decisions are not only based on what the X-ray looks like but on who the fracture happened to, who that person is, explains Dr. Swigart. Factors taken into consideration include whether one or more bones are broken, in one or several places; whether torn ligaments are involved, and whether there are other injuries that require treatment.The good news is, most people with wrist fracture recover fully. According to Dr. Swigart, the range of treatment options for wrist fracture include:
- Wearing a cast or splint, usually for five to six weeks, followed by physical therapy to gain strength and restore range of motion.
- Surgery to fix the break, using pins to hold the bone in place. The pins are usually temporary. After the outpatient surgery, patients wear a cast or splint for several weeks, and then have physical therapy.
- Reconstructive surgery, also an outpatient procedure, uses plates and screws to repair the damaged bone. Patients are required to wear a cast for two to three weeks, and then transition to a removable brace and begin physical therapy.
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More Factors That Affect The Cost Of Wrist Surgery
- Prescriptions A physician may prescribe painkillers or antibiotics post-procedure. To avoid high prescription prices, make sure your insurance policy covers the prescriptions you receive. You can also ask if there is a generic version of the same medicine, which can help lower the cost.
- Additional office visits In some cases, you may be charged a separate fee for an initial consultation with the surgeon before the procedure. Complications from wrist surgery are rare. However, your doctor will want to see you for a follow-up appointment one to two weeks after your surgery to evaluate your recovery. Patients often see their doctor at least once more after that, depending on the type of surgery. Ask if these follow up visits are included in the total cost of your procedure.
What Is The Outlook For Someone With A Broken Wrist
You will need to wear a cast until the bones heal. This will usually take 46 weeks, or longer if the fracture is more serious.;
Sometimes after the cast comes off it may be useful to wear a splint some of the time, so that you feel comfortable and confident to use your hand again, but a splint is not always necessary. If you have had surgery and the bones are well fixed with a plate and/or screw, you might only have the cast on for 1014 days. After that you may wear a splint for some or all the time for 34 weeks, but you can start moving your wrist, usually under the guidance of your surgeon and/or physiotherapist or hand therapist. Do not expect your hand and wrist to be normal as soon as the cast comes off. Eventually, your hand and wrist will work well again, but it will take time.
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Support For A Wrist Fracture
When you first break your wrist, one of the most important things for your doctor to do is immobilise the joint. Immobilisation helps to prevent the broken bones from moving out of place, which could otherwise prevent correct healing, or even cause more serious injuries.
The apparatus used to immobilise your wrist is often referred to as a support, as it supports the joint and helps to keep it in place. Some of these supports can include a plaster or fibre glass cast, and a splint. A cast is a sturdier support for a broken bone but can take longer to apply and must be completely replaced if they become loose or damaged as swelling reduces. A splint is also known as a half cast, are much quicker to apply, and can be loosened or tightened depending on the patients needs.
It is important to ensure that you take care of your support, and not allow it to become wet or damaged while you are healing. It is also important to be aware of excessive pain in your broken wrist while in a cast or splint. You should also be aware of further swelling, discolouration or numbness in your fingers while wearing a support, as this could be a sign of further infection, nerve damage or loss of circulation. You should notify your doctor immediately if you notice any of those symptoms, as urgent treatment may be required.
Elevation For A Fractured Wrist
A common symptom of a broken wrist is swelling, and how long it takes to go down depends on how soon you take measures to address it. One very effective way of managing swelling is elevation.
If you elevate your wrist to a position higher than your heart, you can help to encourage blood to flow back towards your heart, instead of rushing to the effected area. This reduces swelling on your wrist, reduces pain in the area, and promotes healing.
There are many ways you could elevate your wrist, and these include up on a pillow while sleeping, or sitting on the couch. Slings are also designed to help elevate the position of your wrist while youre moving around.
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Exercises To Do At Home
Following initial physiotherapy sessions with your physiotherapist, you might want to continue with some exercises at home to continue to aid your recovery. We have included some typical broken wrist exercises here that may help you. These exercises should be done only when you have reached a certain stage of recovery, and you should check with your doctor before you begin performing your own exercises at home.
It is recommended that you repeat each of these movements ten times each:
- With your elbow and forearm flat on a table, and hand hanging over an edge, raise your hand up and down
- Place your palm and forearms on a table, then flip your hand over to the back, and then return to your palm again
- With your palm and forearm flat on a table, tilt your hand from side to side in a slow waving motion
- With your palm facing the ceiling, raise your thumb up towards the ceiling then back down towards the ground
- With your palm facing the ceiling, fold your thumb across the middle of your palm, then back out to the side as far as it can go
- Start with your hand open wide, all fingers outstretched, then move your thumb to touch the tip of your index finger. Return your thumb to its starting position, then repeat with the rest of your fingers
- From an open-handed position, make a tight fist, then return to the open position. If it is difficult to make your knuckles reach the 90-degree position, you can also use your other hand to help
Hairline Wrist Fracture Cast Or Splint
Immobilization may require a custom splint or a cast. ;For workers or athletes who need to continue their activity while healing, an ActivArmor cast may be an option. ;ActivArmor is the latest technology in casting. This allows 3D scanning and printing of a hard plastic custom cast. This allows the fractured area to get wet and protects against potential forces.
Hairline Fracture Wrist Cast in ActivArmor
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How Can You Care For Yourself At Home
- Put ice or a cold pack on your wrist for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Try to do this every 1 to 2 hours for the next 3 days . Put a thin cloth between the ice and your cast or splint. Keep your cast or splint dry.
- Follow the splint or cast care instructions your doctor gives you. If you have a splint, do not take it off unless your doctor tells you to. Be careful not to put the splint on too tight.
- Be safe with medicines. Take pain medicines exactly as directed.
- If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
- If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
- Prop up your wrist on pillows when you sit or lie down in the first few days after the injury. Keep your wrist higher than the level of your heart. This will help reduce swelling.
- Move your fingers often to reduce swelling and stiffness, but do not use that hand to grab or carry anything.
- Follow instructions for exercises to keep your arm strong.
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What Is A Distal Radius Fracture
Broken Wrist Exercises after taking off cast (wrist & forearm)The radius is one of two forearm bones and is located on the thumb side. The part of the radius connected to the wrist joint is called the distal radius. When the radius breaks near the wrist, it is called a distal radius fracture.
The break usually happens due to falling on an outstretched or flexed hand. It can also happen in a car accident, a bike accident, a skiing accident or another sports activity.
A distal radius fracture can be isolated, which means no other fractures are involved. It can also occur along with a fracture of the distal ulna . In these cases, the injury is called a distal radius and ulna fracture.
Depending on the angle of the distal radius as it breaks, the fracture is called a Colles or Smith fracture.
- A Colles fracture may result from direct impact to the palm, like if you use your hands to break up a fall and land on the palms. The side view of a wrist after a Colles fracture is sometimes compared to the shape of a fork facing down. There is a distinct bump in the wrist similar to the neck of the fork. It happens because the broken end of the distal radius shifts up toward the back of the hand.
- A Smith fracture is the less common of the two. It may result from an impact to the back of the wrist, such as falling on a bent wrist. The end of the distal radius typically shifts down toward the palm side in this type of fracture. This usually makes for a distinct drop in the wrist where the longer part of the radius ends.
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Types Of Wrist Fractures
The type of fracture plays a role in the doctors interpretation of the injury and decision making about the best way to treat the fracture. Wrist fractures can be classified a few different ways based on the location and type of break:
- Intra-articular vs. extra-articular An intra-articular fracture extends into the wrist joint, while an extra-articular fracture doesnt extend into the wrist joint.
- Displaced vs. nondisplaced Displaced fractures are when the bones have moved out of place and no longer line up straight. Nondisplaced fractures can be stable as the bones havent moved out of place.
- Comminuted In this type of injury, the bone is broken in several places.
- Compound This is now called an open fracture and is when there is a break or opening in the skin near the site of injury.
How Does A Wrist Fracture Happen
Virtually anyone can take a tumble and end up with a broken wrist, says Dr. Swigart, but the majority of the people she sees with the problem fall into one of two categories.
The first group is elderly men and women who are vulnerable to wrist fracture because of low bone density. Because their bones are fragile, It doesnt take much of a fall to break the wrist, Dr. Swigart says.
Patients in the second group, she says, tend to be younger and more active, with fractured wrists resulting from what Dr. Swigart calls higher energy mechanisms, such as a skiing mishap or getting hit while playing contact sports. The breaks those patients sustain tend to involve the wrist joint and are often more severe, Dr. Swigart says.
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