Fracture of the wrist is a very common incident favored by physical activity in the young and osteoporosis in the elderly.
Although there are other bones in the wrist that can be damaged, such as the scaphoid, usually the fracture affects the distal portion of the forearm. Particularly when a wrist fractures it does so at the level of the distal epiphysis of the radius (Colles fracture, from the name of the doctor who first described it).
Radium is the thickest bone in the forearm and is positioned inside, on the same side as the thumb.
Often the cause of the fracture is a fall during which you protect yourself with a hand from the impact with the ground. The entire weight of the body thus comes to weigh on the wrist causing its fracture. The elderly are more prone to this type of injury due to bone fragility related to advanced age (osteoporosis). In young people, however, the fracture of the wrist is often caused by trauma suffered during sports activities such as motorcycling, horse riding, rugby, wrestling or skiing.
After having suffered a fractured wrist it is important to immobilize the joint, wash the wound with physiological solution (if the fracture is exposed), cover with sterile gauze and wait for rescue to arrive.
Symptoms of a fracture of the wrist
local swelling and pain
the pain appears or is accentuated with the movements of the wrist
sometimes it has a certain joint deformity
In less severe cases, pain and swelling are reduced. The wrist fracture can therefore be confused with a simple distortion; it is therefore recommended to perform a radiographic examination even if the symptoms are not accentuated.
If X-rays show a wrist fracture, it will have to be carefully reviewed to assess the position and stability of bone fragments. Based on the results of the radiographic examination, possibly supported by a CT scan or resonance, the most appropriate treatment to treat the fracture will be decided.
Care and treatment
In addition to the radiographic aspect it is important to evaluate other factors such as age, limb dominance and the patient's sporting / working activity. Based on all these elements the doctor will decide whether to opt for conservative treatment or surgery:
in most cases a conservative approach is chosen since the pulse responds very well to this type of treatment. The doctor can put the bone ends back into place by reducing the fracture; this is obviously a delicate operation that is the responsibility of a competent doctor and is often performed with the patient under sedation; once repositioned, the two bone heads will be kept in place by a cast or by a guardian for a period of about 4-5 weeks
surgical treatment is reserved for more serious fractures, for example when fractures are exposed (the bone pierces the skin), there are many bone fragments, or when the reduction is not stable. The operation has the great advantage of stabilizing the fracture by facilitating consolidation, healing and functional recovery. For this reason, surgical intervention is indicated above all in young subjects, both for sporting needs and to avoid the risk of long-term complications
In most cases, after a wrist fracture, the patient completely recovers joint function. However, in some particular situations problems such as stiffness and slight limitation of movements may arise. Osteoarthritis can strike the wrist years later, especially if the fracture has affected the articular surfaces (radiocarpal joint or distal radio-ulnar joint).
