Wrist Fracture In Adults

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

A wrist fracture (FRAK-chur) is a break in one or more of the eight bones in the wrist area. The wrist bones connect your forearm to your hand and fingers. The wrist is usually broken by a fall on the outstretched hand in an attempt to stop the fall. Common signs and symptoms of a broken wrist fracture include pain, swelling, and bruising in the injured wrist. Your wrist may look deformed and you may have trouble moving your wrist, hand, or fingers. An x-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized tomography (CT) scan, may be used for diagnosis. Your broken wrist may need a splint, cast, or even surgery as treatment. With treatment, such as a cast and surgery, complications may be prevented and you may resume your normal activities.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

• Keep a list of your medicines: Keep a written list of the medicines you take, the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Do not take any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
  
  
• Take your medicine as directed: Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking your medicines until you discuss it with your caregiver.
  
  
• Pain medicine: You may be given medicine to take at home to take away or decrease pain. Your caregiver will tell you how much to take and how often to take it. Take the medicine exactly as directed by your caregiver. Do not wait until the pain is too bad before taking your medicine. The medicine may not work as well at controlling your pain if you wait too long to take it. Tell caregivers if the pain medicine does not help, or if your pain comes back too soon.

Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

Cast or splint care: Caregivers may put a cast or splint on your wrist. This will keep your broken bones from moving while they heal. It may also be used to decrease pain. A cast or splint may be made of plaster or fiberglass.

• Follow these instructions if you have a cast:
  
  
  • Check the skin around the cast every day. You may put lotion on any red or sore areas.
    
    
  • It is important not to get the cast or splint wet. Before bathing, cover the cast or splint with two plastic trash bags. Tape the bags to your skin above the cast to seal out the water. Keep your arm out of the water in case the bag breaks. If a plaster cast gets wet and soft, call your caregiver. You can dry the wet part of the cast using a hair dryer set on low or no heat.
    
    
  • Do not push down or lean on any part of the cast because it may break.
    
    
  • Do not scratch the skin under the cast by putting a sharp or pointed object inside the cast.
  
  
• Follow these instructions if you have a splint:
  
  
  • If your splint is too tight, your fingers may be numb or tingly. Gently loosen the tape so that your fingers are comfortable.
    
    
  • Do not push down or lean on any part of the splint because it may break.

Ice: A caregiver may use ice on your wrist to decrease swelling, pain, and redness. Put crushed ice in a plastic bag and wrap it with a towel. Place the ice bag on the area for 15 to 20 minutes every hour as long as you need it. If ice is put on the injured area for too long or if it is slept on, it may cause frostbite.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• There is a bad smell coming from under your cast or splint.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your injury, medicine, or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY 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 or splint becomes soaked with blood.
  
  
• Your cast feels tighter and you have more swelling in your fingers.
  
  
• Your skin or fingers of the injured wrist turn blue or white or they feel cold or numb.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

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.

Link to Page

Print Page

Email Page