$distal radius fracture$

Distal radius fracture skin#

During this nonsurgical procedure, your healthcare provider will physically push and pull your arm and wrist to line up your broken bones. More severe breaks require a closed reduction to set (realign) your bones. You’ll also likely need follow-up X-rays to make sure your bones are healing correctly. If you need a cast, it’ll likely be longer, typically six to eight weeks. Splinting usually lasts for three to five weeks. If your break is mild and your bones didn’t move far out of place, you might only need a splint or cast. Your broken bones need to heal back together, and there are several ways to make sure they’re repaired correctly. How your Smith fracture is treated depends on the severity of the original break. They’re only around 5% of all broken wrists. Wrist fractures, in general, are 20% of all broken bones treated in emergency rooms, and the second most common broken bone in adults older than 50.Ĭompared to other types of wrist breaks, Smith fractures are rare. People older than 50 are also at an increased risk of osteoporosis. Anyone can develop it, but women are four times more likely than men. If you have osteoporosis, your bones are more susceptible to fractures. One important risk factor is osteoporosis. Smith fractures can happen to anyone because they’re usually caused by an accident or trauma. But with Barton fractures, your broken bones angle up or away from your palm. Barton fractureīarton fractures are similar to Smith fractures - they both usually come from falling on your wrist when it’s closed or flexed in. Smith fractures are the opposite: The broken end of your bone points forward. If you’re diagnosed with a Colles fracture, the broken piece of your wrist bone (radius) points backward. Smith fractures usually come from falling with your wrist closed or flexed inward, or from a direct blow to the back of your hand. The type of wrist fracture you have depends on how your bones broke and what the break itself looks like. What is the difference between a Smith fracture and other wrist fractures? No matter which names and terms are applied to your injury, the most important first step is getting your wrist examined by your healthcare provider as soon as possible. Think about all these names for fractures like the magnification settings on a microscope that helps your healthcare provider zoom in on your specific injury. The radius is one of the bones in your forearm, and its distal end is toward your wrist.Įach of the specific details you might read or hear about tells your healthcare provider which bones are broken, where they’re broken, how they broke and what they look like inside of your wrist right now. For example, you may see Smith fractures referred to as a type of distal radius fracture. There are lots of different bone fractures, and it’s easy for the different names to sound confusing. It’s caused by falling or experiencing another trauma while your wrist is bent or flexed. What is a Smith fracture?Ī Smith fracture is a specific type of broken wrist.

$distal radius fracture$

At that point, physical therapy is often started to help improve the motion and function of the injured wrist.X-ray of a Smith fracture of the wrist. The cast is removed about 6 weeks after the fracture happened. X-rays may be taken less often if the fracture was not reduced and thought to be stable. If the fracture was reduced or thought to be unstable, x-rays may be taken at weekly intervals for 3 weeks and then at 6 weeks. The cast is changed 2 or 3 weeks later as the swelling goes down more, causing the cast to loosen.ĭepending on the nature of the fracture, your doctor may closely monitor the healing by taking regular x-rays. A cast is usually added a few days to a week or so later, after the swelling goes down. A splint is usually used for the first few days to allow for a small amount of normal swelling.

Distal radius fracture skin#

When a bone is straightened without having to open the skin (incision), it is called a closed reduction.Īfter the bone is properly aligned, a splint or cast may be placed on your arm. “Reduction” is the technical term for this process in which the doctor moves the broken pieces into place. If the position (alignment) of your bone is out of place and likely to limit the future use of your arm, it may be necessary to re-align the broken bone fragments.

$distal radius fracture$

If the broken bone is in a good position, a plaster cast may be applied until the bone heals.

$distal radius fracture$