Broken Wrists: Symptoms, Treatment & Recovery

Aug 31

2 min read

A broken wrist, or wrist fracture, occurs when one or more of the ten bones that make up the wrist break or crack. It is one of the most common types of fractures, often occurring due to a fall on an outstretched hand. It can also be caused by a sports injury, a direct blow, twisting of the wrist, or other accidents involving force through the hand or wrist.

Symptoms

• Pain in the wrist, which can be tender to touch, sharp, or aching

• Swelling in the hand, wrist, or forearm

• Reduced range of motion in the wrist

• Reduced grip strength

• Bruising

• Visible deformity of the wrist

A lady having her hand assessed by hand therapist at Riverina Hand Therapy

What do you do if you suspect a broken wrist?

• Seek medical attention

• Have an x-ray or other imaging, such as an MRI or CT scan, to help diagnose the fracture

• Follow RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation

Treatment options

It is important to seek medical attention if you suspect a broken wrist, as it may require treatment such as:

• A cast

• A thermoplastic splint

• Manipulation by a medical professional, where the bones are moved back into alignment, usually done under anaesthesia for pain relief

• Surgery to stabilise the fracture, which can involve an open reduction where the bones are realigned and stabilised with plates and screws

A hand therapist at Riverina Hand Therapy fitting a splint to a broken wrist

Recovery

Recovery time can range from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the injury. Generally, a bone takes 4-6 weeks to become stable, and it may take 8-12 weeks for your wrist to become strong enough to return to heavy activities such as sport. You often don't just break the bone in isolation; other soft tissue structures such as tendons and ligaments may be injured too, which can impact your recovery.

• A period of immobilisation is important to keep your bones still so they can knit back together. Your hand therapist can guide you on suitable options, including splints, braces, or casts.

• Early controlled range of motion can help prevent stiffness. If your fracture is stable and there is no risk of the bones moving out of alignment, we want to apply controlled movement early in the recovery process to ensure your joints keep moving smoothly and stiffness is reduced.

• Gentle strengthening exercises are commenced when appropriate. This is often the last stage, as we want to ensure your bones are strong enough to handle load without breaking.

• Your hand therapist can guide you on when to commence exercises to regain movement and strength.

Wrist exercises at Riverina Hand Therapy using a theraband

Complications

Potential complications include stiffness, reduced range of motion and strength, nerve irritation, or arthritis in the wrist joint.

Have questions about your hand or wrist injury? Our experienced hand therapists at Riverina Hand Therapy are here to help. Call us on 02 6925 0157 or visit riverinahandtherapy.com.au to book an appointment.

This information is general in nature and is intended to support, not replace, individual advice from your treating health professional. Everyone's injury and recovery are different, so please contact your GP, specialist, or your hand therapist at Riverina Hand Therapy if you have concerns about your condition.