Fractures of Hand and wrist
Are you experiencing sudden pain in your hand with no explanation? If you have pain around your wrist and even the slightest pressure hurts you tremendously? Then it could be because of a fracture. Fractures of the hand and wrist are very common and are very painful. The most common injuries occur in the wrist when you try to protect yourself from a fall and land hard on an outstretched hand.
Who are at risk?
People who participate in sports are at higher risk of a broken bone in the hand and wrist or if the person has a condition like osteoporosis (bones become thinner and more fragile). Treating broken bones at the earliest is very crucial or else bones may not heal in proper alignment and may cause trouble doing your daily activities.
What are the symptoms of hand and wrist fractures?
The symptoms of a broken bone in the hand and wrist are:
Severe pain that aggravates even for the slightest movement in the hand
- Swelling, pain, and tenderness around the knuckle of the little finger or above the wrist
- Tenderness
- Bruising in the hand
- Obvious deformity, such as the bent wrist
What are the different types of hand and wrist fractures?
There are different types of the wrist, elbow, and hand fractures:
Scaphoid fracture
- Pediatric extremity fracture
- Finger fracture
- Elbow fracture
- Distal radial fracture
- Colles fracture
- Boxer fracture
How are the diagnoses of hand and wrist fracture done?
The doctor will do a physical examination and obtain X-rays to check if there is a broken bone.
Tests such as CT scans or MRI scans may be required to get a better picture of the fracture fragments and other injuries. When the wrist is broken the associated soft tissues like ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves may also be injured. These injuries may also need treatment.
What is the treatment for fractures in the hand and wrist?
Treatment will depend on many factors. Including, type of fracture, whether it is displaced, unstable or open.
There are two basic treatments to heal fractures:
Splinting: if the fracture is not severe or if it’s located in an area of the hand where surgery cannot help, then the doctor will use a cast or a splint to keep the bones in place. After some time, the bone will regenerate and join together. This treatment is done for intra-articular and extra–articular fractures.
- Surgery: in severe fractures, like open and comminuted fractures, surgery is performed. In this, the doctor will surgically fix the bones in place by using plates and screws. The doctor may also perform muscle, tendon, ligament, or nerve repair if it is required for the patient.
Medications:
To reduce pain, the doctor will recommend medicines; if you have an open fracture, then the doctor may recommend antibiotics to prevent infection that may reach the bone.
Therapy for the hand:
Once the splint is removed, you may need hand therapy to reduce stiffness and restore normal movement of the wrist.
Best Surgeon for Hand and Wrist Fractures:
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