ORIF of a Wrist Fracture in Children
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 4, 2025.
Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of a wrist fracture is surgery to fix a broken wrist. Open reduction means that the bone is moved back into the right place with surgery. Internal fixation means that hardware (such as screws, rods, or pins) is used to hold the broken bones together.
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DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:
Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) for any of the following:
- Your child suddenly feels lightheaded and short of breath.
- Your child has chest pain when he or she takes a deep breath or coughs.
- Your child coughs up blood.
Seek care immediately if:
- Your child's arm or leg feels warm, tender, and painful. It may look swollen and red.
- Your child's incision wound is red, swollen, or draining pus.
- Your child's fingers look pale or blue, feel numb, or tingle.
- Blood soaks through your child's bandage.
Call your child's doctor or surgeon if:
- Your child's cast or splint breaks or gets damaged.
- Your child has severe pain, even after he or she takes pain medicine.
- Your child has a fever.
- You have questions or concerns about your child's condition or care.
Medicines:
- Prescription pain medicine may be given. Ask your child's healthcare provider how to give this medicine safely. Some prescription pain medicines contain acetaminophen. Do not give other medicines that contain acetaminophen without talking to a healthcare provider. Too much acetaminophen may cause liver damage. Prescription pain medicine may cause constipation. Ask your child's healthcare provider how to prevent or treat constipation.
- Do not give aspirin to children younger than 18 years. Your child could develop Reye syndrome if he or she has the flu or a fever and takes aspirin. Reye syndrome can cause life-threatening brain and liver damage. Check your child's medicine labels for aspirin or salicylates.
- Give your child's medicine as directed. Contact your child's healthcare provider if you think the medicine is not working as expected. Tell the provider if your child is allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs your child takes. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why they are taken. Bring the list or the medicines in their containers to follow-up visits. Carry your child's medicine list with you in case of an emergency.
Care for your child:
- Apply ice as directed. Ice helps prevent tissue damage and decreases swelling and pain. Apply ice on your child's wrist for 15 to 20 minutes every hour or as directed. Use an ice pack, or put crushed ice in a plastic bag. Cover it with a towel before you apply it to your child's wrist.
- Elevate your child's wrist. Keep your child's wrist above the level of his or her heart as often as you can. This will help decrease swelling and pain. Prop your wrist on pillows or blankets to keep it elevated comfortably.
- Care for your child's splint or cast as directed. Ask when your child can bathe. Follow directions for bathing with a splint or cast. Wrap a plastic bag around your child's wrist. Tape the bag closed so water will not get in while your child bathes.
- Ask when your child can return to normal daily activities. Your child may need to avoid lifting objects that are heavier than 5 pounds. His or her healthcare provider may recommend that your child exercise his or her fingers and arm. The provider will give your child exercises to do.
Follow up with your child's doctor or surgeon as directed:
Your child will need to return to have his or her surgery wound checked and stitches or staples removed. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
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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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