Distal radius fracture; Broken wrist A Colles fracture results in a backward and outward position of
the hand in relation to the wrist. A Colles wrist fracture is caused by a forceful injury to the wrist. This may occur due to: Having osteoporosis is a major risk factor for wrist fractures. Osteoporosis makes bones brittle, so they need less
force to break. Sometimes a broken wrist is the first sign of thinning bones. What to ExpectYou will likely get a splint to keep your wrist from moving. If you have a small fracture and the bone pieces do not move out of place, you will likely wear a splint for 3 to 5 weeks. Some breaks may require you to wear a cast for about 6 to 8 weeks. You may need a second cast if the first one gets too loose as the swelling goes down. If your break is severe, you may need to see a bone doctor (orthopedic surgeon). Treatments may include:
Self-care at HomeTo help with pain and swelling:
For pain, you can take over-the-counter ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), or acetaminophen (Tylenol). You can buy these pain medicines without a prescription.
For severe pain, you may need a prescription pain reliever. Follow your provider's instructions about elevating your wrist and using a sling.
ActivityExercising your fingers, elbow, and shoulder is important. It can help keep them from losing their function. Talk with your provider about how much exercise to do and when you can do it. Typically, the provider or surgeon will want you to start moving your fingers as soon as possible after having surgery or the splint or cast put on. Follow-upThe initial recovery from a wrist fracture can take 3 to 4 months or more. You will need physical therapy. You should start working with a physical therapist as soon as your provider recommends. The work may seem hard and at times painful. But doing the exercises you are given will speed your recovery. If you have surgery, you may start physical therapy earlier to avoid wrist stiffness. However, if you don't have surgery, you may start wrist motion later to avoid shifting of the fracture. It can take anywhere from a few months to a year for your wrist to fully recover its function. Some people have stiffness and pain in their wrist for the rest of their life. When to Call the DoctorAfter your arm is placed in a cast or splint, see your provider if:
ReferencesKalb RL, Fowler GC. Fracture care. In: Fowler GC, ed. Pfenninger and Fowler's Procedures for Primary Care. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 178. Perez EA. Fractures of the shoulder, arm, and forearm. In: Azar FM, Beaty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 57. Williams DT, Kim HT. Wrist and forearm. In: Walls RM, Hockberger RS, Gausche-Hill M, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 44. Version InfoLast reviewed on: 6/13/2021 Reviewed by: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. |