Slapping your wrist, or what your physician will refer to as a distal radius fracture, hurts and may be a bitch to contend with in everyday life. The pain is in your radius bone on your forearm at the location just where it creates your wrist. If you had a distal radius fracture, keep reading for additional information regarding recovery and treatment.
First, understand that not all distal radius fractures are the same. The breaks range from simple breaks with bones staying in their place to break-ups with a lot of pieces of bone or bones that are displaced. Your treatment course relies heavily on this severity.
Right after being hurt, adhere to the RICE method: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. This prevents and reduces swelling and pain. Pain relievers that can be purchased over-the-counter, such as ibuprofen, also assist with pain, but only with your physician's approval.
Seek medical attention immediately. Proper treatment of a distal radius fracture requires a correct diagnosis. Your doctor will order X-rays to assess the fracture and may order CT scans in more complex fractures to better view the fracture.
For stable distal radius fractures with the fragments of bone still aligned, the treatment will typically be immobilization in a cast or splint for 6-8 weeks. This is enough time for the bone to heal correctly in the correct position. About cast treatment, keep the dryness and cleanliness of the cast intact and monitor for complications like increased pain, numbness, or blue finger discoloration.
More severe distal radius fractures can be treated with an operation. Your doctor might have your doctor insert pins, plates, screws, or external fixators into your fractured bones to line them up and hold them in place. While the idea of surgery can be frightening, these procedures are now fairly routine and effective methods of treating more serious wrist fractures.
After the initial healing, whether from surgery or a cast, physical therapy is needed. A distal radius fracture can make your wrist weak and stiff. Therapy will restore motion, strength, and function. Don't skip this step – patients who stick to their therapy program tend to have better outcomes.
Adapt daily activities during recuperation. Basic actions such as buttoning a shirt or opening a jar can prove difficult. Do not try to struggle through pain; rather, use temporary substitutes or adaptive devices. Your occupational therapist will recommend useful tools and techniques.
Be patient with recovery. It typically takes 3-6 months to recover completely from a distal radius fracture, but you can return to most activities sooner than that. There will be some lingering stiffness for up to a year.
Be careful to prevent complications such as malunion (improper healing), stiffness, chronic pain, or carpal tunnel syndrome. Visit your doctor regularly to prevent getting these problems in the future.
Keep in mind that age and bone density affect healing. The older adult or osteoporotic patient will heal more slowly and may require calcium and vitamin D supplements (with their doctor's permission) to maintain bone health.
Although healing from a distal radius fracture is frustrating, most individuals can recover good wrist function with adequate treatment and rehabilitation. Stick to your recovery regimen, discuss any concerns openly with your medical team, and allow yourself to heal correctly.
