Wrist Fracture In Adults

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

A wrist fracture is a break in one or more of the bones in your wrist.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

• Pain medicine: You may be given medicine to decrease or take away pain. Do not wait until the pain is severe before you take your medicine.
  
  
• Take your medicine as directed: Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell healthcare providers if you take any vitamins, herbs, or other medicines. Keep a list of the medicines you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits.

Follow up with your primary healthcare provider as directed:

Write down any questions you have so you remember to ask them in your follow-up visits.

Put ice on your wrist:

Ice helps decrease swelling, pain, and redness. Put crushed ice in a plastic bag and wrap it with a towel. Place the ice bag on your wrist for 15 to 20 minutes every hour. Do this for as many days as directed.

How to bathe with a cast or splint:

Before you take a bath or shower, cover your cast or splint with a plastic bag. Tape the bag to your skin above the cast or splint to keep out water. Hold your arm away from the water in case the bag leaks. It is important not to get your cast or splint wet.

Care for your arm:

• Check the skin around your cast or splint daily for any redness or open areas.
  
  
• Do not use a sharp or pointed object to scratch your skin under the cast or splint.
  
  
• If your splint is too tight, your fingers may be numb or tingle. Gently loosen the fasteners as directed to relieve the tightness.
  
  
• Do not push down or lean on any part of the cast or splint, because it may break.

Call your primary healthcare provider or bone specialist if:

• You have a fever.
  
  
• There is a bad smell coming from under your cast or splint.
  
  
• You have more pain or swelling than before the cast or splint was put on.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your injury, medicine, or care.

Return to the emergency department if:

• You have increased pain or swelling in your wrist area that does not go away.
  
  
• Your cast or splint gets damaged or breaks.
  
  
• Your cast feels tighter, and you have more swelling in your fingers.
  
  
• Your fingers on the injured wrist turn blue or white, or they are cold or numb.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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