Version July 2025
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What is a wrist fracture? —
This is when a bone in the wrist breaks. A "fracture" is another word for a broken bone.
There are different types of wrist fractures. Some involve a break in 1 of the small bones in the wrist. Others involve a break in 1 or both of the forearm bones near the wrist (figure 1). A common type of wrist fracture involves the end of 1 of the forearm bones. It can happen when a person falls onto their outstretched hand.
When a bone breaks, it might crack, break all the way through, or shatter.
There are different types of fractures, depending on which bone breaks and how. Examples include:
●"Open" fracture – This is when the bone sticks out of the skin or can be seen through a wound.
●"Closed" fracture – This is when the bone does not stick out of the skin and cannot be seen through a wound.
●"Avulsion" fracture – This is when a person moves a joint forcefully, and a ligament or tendon stretches or tears. It can pull so hard on the bone a small part of the bone cracks or breaks off.
Compared with adults' bones, children's bones are more likely to bend or break only partway. Special kinds of fractures children can get include:
●"Growth plate" fractures – This is when the growing part of the bone near the end breaks, often where a ligament attaches to it.
●"Greenstick" fractures – This is when the bone bends and cracks, but not all the way through.
What are the symptoms of a wrist fracture? —
Symptoms depend on which bone breaks and the type of break. Common symptoms can include:
●Pain, swelling, or bruising over the area
●The area looking abnormal, bent, or not the usual shape
●Not being able to move the wrist and hand, or stiffness
●Numbness in the area of the broken bone or part of the hand
Is there a test for a wrist fracture? —
Yes. The doctor or nurse will ask about your symptoms, do an exam, and take an X-ray.
They might also do other imaging tests, such as a CT or ultrasound. These create pictures of the inside of the body.
How are wrist fractures treated? —
Treatment depends, in part, on the type of fracture and how serious it is. The goal is to have the ends of the broken bone line up with each other so the bone can heal.
If the ends of the broken bone are already in line with each other, the doctor will put on a cast, splint, or brace. This keeps the bone in the correct position so it can heal. Children with a very minor fracture called a "buckle fracture" might only need a gauze or elastic bandage.
If the ends of the broken bone are not in line with each other, the doctor will need to line them up:
●Sometimes, they can move the bone to the correct position without doing surgery, and then put a cast, splint, or brace on. This is called "closed fracture reduction." Most wrist fractures in children only require casting.
●For more serious fractures and for some wrist fractures in adults, they might need to do surgery to put the bone back in the correct position. During surgery, they can use screws, pins, rods, or plates to fix the bone inside the body. This is called "open fracture reduction." In some cases, the hardware is removed after the fracture is healed.
How long do wrist fractures take to heal? —
Most take weeks to months to heal. The doctor or nurse will talk to you about when to return to things like work, sports, or other activities.
Healing time also depends on the person. Healthy children usually heal much more quickly than older adults or adults with other medical problems.
How do I care for myself at home? —
To care for yourself or your child at home:
●Follow the doctor's instructions for wearing the cast, splint, or brace. This supports and protects the bone as it heals. Some fractures are put in a cast right away. Others are not put in a cast until after the swelling goes down. You might also get a sling to support your arm and wrist.
●Do not get a cast wet, unless the doctor says it is waterproof.
●Follow instructions for limiting activity and movement until the bone is healed. The doctor or nurse will tell you what activities are safe to do.
●Prop your injured arm on pillows, keeping it above the level of your heart. This might help lessen pain and swelling.
●The doctor might recommend you take an over-the-counter pain medicine. These include acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol), ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve).
●You might get a prescription for stronger pain medicines to take for a short time. Follow the instructions for taking these.
●Ice can help with pain and swelling – Put a cold gel pack, bag of ice, or bag of frozen vegetables on the injured area every 1 to 2 hours, for 15 minutes each time. Put a thin towel between the ice (or other cold object) and the cast, splint, or brace. Ice for at least 6 hours after an injury. It might help to ice longer, even up to 2 days.
●Eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of calcium, vitamin D, and protein (figure 2).
●Quit smoking, if you smoke. Your doctor or nurse can help. Broken bones take longer to heal if you smoke.
●You might need to work with a physical therapist (exercise expert) after your fracture heals. They will suggest exercises and stretches to strengthen your wrist and hand muscles and keep them from getting stiff.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if:
●You have less feeling or movement in your fingers.
●Your hand or wrist gets swollen or starts to hurt more.
●Your skin gets red or irritated around the cast, or redness spreads up your arm.
●The cast or splint feels too tight and uncomfortable.
●A bad smell or drainage is coming from the cast or splint.
●The cast feels too loose, or gets cracked or soft.
●The cast gets wet, and it is not supposed to get wet.
Patient education: Common wrist injuries (The Basics)
Patient education: Fractures in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Fractures in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Setting a broken bone in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Setting a broken bone in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Surgery to fix a broken bone (The Basics)
Patient education: How to care for your cast (The Basics)
Patient education: How to care for your child's cast (The Basics)
Patient education: How to care for a splint (The Basics)
