Wrist Fracture In Adults

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

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

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

• Treatment for a wrist injury may cause side effects. Medicines may cause you to have nausea (upset stomach), vomiting (throwing up), or stomach ulcers (sores). You may bleed or get an infection if you have surgery or an open wound.
  
  
• You may get a blood clot in your leg or arm. This can cause pain and swelling, and it can stop blood from flowing where it needs to go in your body. The blood clot can break loose and travel to your lungs. A blood clot in your lungs can cause chest pain and trouble breathing. This problem can be life-threatening.
  
  
• If left untreated, the bones may not go back to how they were before. It may also cause blood supply problems to the wrist and hand. You may have problems in your hand movement or decreased grip strength. Call your caregiver if you have concerns about your fracture, medicines, or care.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent:

A consent form is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that you may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done. Make sure all your questions are answered.

Medicine:

• Antibiotics: This medicine is given to help treat or prevent an infection caused by bacteria.
  
  
• Pain medicine: Caregivers may give you medicine to take away or decrease your pain.
  
  
  • Do not wait until the pain is severe to ask for your medicine. Tell caregivers if your pain does not decrease. The medicine may not work as well at controlling your pain if you wait too long to take it.
    
    
  • Pain medicine can make you dizzy or sleepy. Prevent falls by calling a caregiver when you want to get out of bed or if you need help.
  
  
• Tetanus shot: This is medicine to keep you from getting tetanus if the fracture also has an open wound. It is given as a shot. You should have a tetanus shot if you have not had one in the past 5 to 10 years. Your arm can get red, swollen, and sore after getting this shot.

Tests:

You may have one or more of the following:

• Computerized tomography scan: This is also called a CT or CAT scan. A special x-ray machine uses a computer to take pictures of your wrist. You may be given dye before the pictures are taken. The dye is usually given in your IV. The dye may help your caregiver see the pictures better. People who are allergic to iodine or shellfish (lobster, crab, or shrimp) may be allergic to some dyes. Tell the caregiver if you are allergic to shellfish, or have other allergies or medical conditions.
  
  
• Magnetic resonance imaging scan: This is also called an MRI. An MRI uses magnetic waves to take pictures of the forearm, wrist, and hand area.
  
  
• Bone scan: This is a test to look at your bones. You are given a small amount of dye through an IV, and pictures of your bones are taken. Caregivers can look at the pictures for broken bones, infections, and other problems.

Treatments:

• Ice: A caregiver may use ice on your wrist to decrease swelling, pain, and redness.
  
  
• Cast or splint: Your wrist may need to stay in a cast or splint to keep it from moving while it heals.
  
  
• Surgery: A metal plate with screws may be used to help hold the bones in place. A bone graft may be done to increase the chances of the fracture healing. Further problems, such as an injury to a nerve or blood vessel, may also be treated with surgery.

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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.

Learn more about Wrist Fracture In Adults (Inpatient Care)