Common Wrist Fractures And Repair

The bone which is most frequently is fractured with a fall on an extended hand is the distal radius. The radius is the larger of the 2 forearm bones, and its end toward the wrist is known as the distal end. When the part of the radius around the wrist breaks it is a fracture of the distal radius. Fractures of the distal radius are very frequent.

Signs of a distal radius fracture are bruising, immediate pain, tenderness, and swelling. Usually, the wrist hangs in a bent or odd way, otherwise called a deformity. These deformities need to be treated by the orthopedic specialists using orthopedic instruments provided by Orthopedic Implants Manufacturers In India.

What are the risks for a distal radius fracture?

Osteoporosis is a factor of risk for all kinds of fractures, especially a distal radius fracture. A broken wrist can occur in healthy bones as well. Most of these kinds of fractures occur in persons older than 60 years of age who fall from a standing posture. The other subgroup of people who can injure their wrist is young patients with a high impact fall, producing a break in an otherwise usual wrist.

How is a distal radius fracture treated without surgery?

Treatment for a distal radius fracture includes the nature of the fracture, the activity level, and age of the person injured and the personal preferences of an orthopedic specialist. The doctor can cast the broke bone if it is in a good situation and is stable. Sometimes the orthopedic specialist must straighten the bone, reduce it before a cast is applied. This is what doctor’s say a closed reduction. The cast is often worn for around 6 weeks and at that time the doctor could instruct for physical therapy to help with rehabilitation.

What is involved in surgical treatment?

Sometimes distal radius fractures result in the bone being so much out of its position that it can’t be corrected without surgery. The orthopedic surgeon will make an incision to directly know about the broken bones to improve alignment.  The bone can be held in accurate place with the use of an orthopedic plate and bone screws, metal pins, an external fixator or any combination of techniques.

Scaphoid Fracture of the Wrist

The scaphoid fracture is a small bone in the wrist that is most likely to break. It is situated on the thumb side of the wrist in the part where wrist bends. It can easily site when the thumb is held in a “hitch-hiking” position. The scaphoid bone is at the base of the hollow made by the thumb tendons.

Symptoms that it is fractured include swelling, tenderness, and pain at the base of the thumb. The pain will worsen when the person grips something or tries to move the wrist or thumb. A scaphoid fracture is often caused by a fall onto an extended hand and isn’t always as painful as one may think.

What are the risk factors for a scaphoid fracture?

Anyone can fracture their scaphoid bone, but it is more common in athletes who participate in activities where falls are common. Men of age 20 to 30 are most likely to experience this kind of injury.

How is a scaphoid fracture treated without surgery?

If the bone is in the correct position and has a good blood supply, the orthopedic specialist may treat it through casting. The cast is often worn for 12 weeks. Several opt for surgical stabilization to reduce the length of immobility.

What is involved in surgical treatment?

Because of the precarious nature of the blood supply to the scaphoid, the orthopedic expert may suggest surgery to optimize healing and prevent long-term wrist arthritis. At the time of the procedure metal, orthopaedic implant (such as screws and wires) are utilized to hold the scaphoid in position until the bone is totally healed. The orthopedic surgeon makes an incision over the back or the front of the wrist to align the bone, insert the metal implants, and repair the damage. In special conditions where the bone isn’t healing well on its own, a bone graft may be required to help in healing. A bone graft is a new bone that is placed around the broken bone to help stimulate healing of bone. This enables the bone parts to heal together into a solid bone.

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