Distal Radius Fractures
Distal radius fractures are breaks near the wrist end of the radius bone, often caused by falls onto an outstretched hand. They lead to pain, swelling, bruising, and limited wrist movement. Treatment may involve casting, splinting, or surgery, depending on fracture severity and alignment.
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Find Relief TodayOverview
A common injury among athletes is a broken (fractured) wrist. The bone most often affected is the radius, the larger of the two forearm bones that meet at the wrist (or distal) end of the arm. Distal radius fractures are very common and can occur in athletes participating in any sport where falls are possible. There are different types of distal radius fractures: some may break the skin, extend into the wrist joint, or involve multiple fracture sites.
What causes Distal Radius Fractures?
Distal radius fractures most often occur after a fall onto an outstretched hand. Individuals with osteoporosis, or decreased bone density, are at higher risk, but even young athletes with strong bones can sustain a fracture if the impact is severe enough.
- How the Injury Occurs: Distal radius fractures happen when force from a fall or collision is transmitted through the hand to the wrist, exceeding the bone’s strength.
- Common Everyday Causes: Slipping on wet surfaces, tripping over obstacles, or falling from stairs can also result in distal radius fractures, even outside of sports activities.
Broken wrists are most common in these sports:
- Skiing: Falls on icy or uneven surfaces can transmit force to the wrist.
- Snowboarding: Repeated falls or sudden crashes put the distal radius at risk.
- Skateboarding or inline skating: Losing balance and landing on an outstretched hand can cause fractures.
- Bicycling: Accidents or sudden falls during cycling often lead to wrist injuries.
- Contact sports (e.g., football or hockey): Direct impacts or falls during play increase fracture risk.
Symptoms
Distal radius fractures typically cause sudden, severe pain in the wrist and forearm. Other common symptoms include:
- Swelling and tenderness: The wrist may become puffy and sensitive to touch.
- Bruising: Discoloration, often black and blue, may appear around the injury site.
- Deformity: The wrist may look crooked or hang abnormally due to misalignment of the bone.
When to see a doctor
If the injury to your wrist is very painful or your wrist doesn’t look right, you should go to the emergency department for immediate care. Seeking medical attention as soon as possible is important if you think you have a wrist fracture, especially if there is bleeding through the skin, you feel numbness, or your fingers lack pinkness. If you have less severe symptoms, schedule an appointment with your doctor for the next day.
After asking questions about your medical history and conducting a physical exam, your doctor will order X-rays of your wrist to confirm whether your wrist is fractured. Sometimes, additional imaging tests, such as a magnetic resonance imaging test (MRI), will be necessary to see if there are injuries to the soft tissues around your wrist.
Non-operative treatment
If the fractured bones are properly aligned (non-displaced) or can be realigned without distal radius fracture surgery, a distal radius fracture can often be treated conservatively. Typical non-operative treatments include:
- Immobilizing the wrist with a distal radius fracture splint: Used in the first few days to reduce movement and swelling.
- Applying a cast: Once swelling decreases, a cast stabilizes the wrist to allow proper bone healing.
- Distal radius fracture X-ray after casting: Ensures the fracture remains correctly aligned; the cast may be adjusted over four to six weeks if needed.
Once the bone has healed, patients can also perform specific home exercises to regain wrist strength and mobility and reduce stiffness associated with distal radius fractures.
You can also try these exercises at home after the bone heals:
Surgical Treatment
If the fractured ends of the radius cannot be aligned or kept aligned in a cast, then your doctor may recommend surgery. Your surgeon will advise on the best surgical options for you based on the type of distal radial fracture you have. After the broken bones are carefully aligned, your surgeon may hold them in the correct position with only a cast, or by inserting pins, an external fixator, a plate and screws, or a combination of these options.
Recovery
Most patients will fully recover from a broken wrist. Depending on the type and severity of the fracture, recovery time can take more than a year. Patients may experience moderate pain for a few weeks after their injury and treatment. Athletes may initially return to low-impact sports, such as swimming or bicycling, after a month or two. You can expect to resume play after three to six months.
Dr. Jay Kimmel is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine, arthroscopic surgery, and shoulder and knee disorders. He completed his orthopedic training at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center and a Sports Medicine Fellowship at Temple University.
Dr. Kimmel previously served as the Director of the Connecticut Sports Medicine Institute at Saint Francis Hospital and has held faculty appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor in the Departments of Orthopedics and Family Medicine at the University of Connecticut. He has extensive experience caring for athletes as a team physician for high school and collegiate programs and continues to teach in the athletic training departments at Westfield State University and Springfield College.
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/MonthFrequently Asked Questions
Is surgery always necessary for a broken wrist?
No, many fractures can heal with non-surgical treatments like casting, splinting, and physical therapy.
Will I regain full strength after a distal radius fracture?
With consistent rehabilitation and exercises, most patients regain full wrist strength and mobility over time.
Can physical therapy speed up recovery?
Yes, targeted exercises improve flexibility, reduce stiffness, and support a faster, safer return to daily activities and sports.
Is it possible to return to sports after a wrist fracture?
Absolutely, once the bone has healed and strength is restored, athletes can safely return to their previous sports and activities.