Talk to your doctor for specific information about your recovery program and return to daily activities. External fixator (a stabilizing frame outside the body that holds the bones in the proper position so they can heal) - This has become less common in recent years but is still a good option for severe and open fractures.īecause the kinds of distal radius fractures are so varied and the treatment options are so broad, recovery is different for everyone.Plate and screws - This is the most common option for surgical treatment of distal radius fractures.Metal pins (usually stainless steel or titanium) - This treatment was common years ago and is still used frequently in children with growing bones.Cast - Casts are rarely used after an open reduction.This process is also known as an open reduction.ĭepending on the fracture, there are several options for holding the bone in the correct position while it heals after it has been re-aligned: The surgeon realigns the broken bone(s) directly through the incision. Important structures such as arteries, nerves, and tendons are identified and protected. Surgery typically involves making an incision on the wrist over the fracture to access the broken bone(s). In such cases, you may require surgery to correct the fracture and hold it in place while it heals. These fractures may heal in bad alignment, which can result in poor function of your arm. Sometimes, the position of the bone cannot be corrected with a closed reduction alone and/or cannot or kept corrected in a cast. Typically, you will wear a removeable splint between therapy sessions to protect the healing bone. At that point, you will likely start physical therapy to help improve the motion and function of the injured wrist. In non-operative fractures, the cast is typically removed about 6 weeks after the fracture happened. If at any time the fracture becomes poorly aligned, surgery may be recommended. X-rays may be taken less often if the fracture did not need to be reduced and/or was thought to be stable. In patients treated without surgery, X-rays are often taken at weekly intervals for 3 weeks and then once again at 6 weeks. The cast is often changed 2 or 3 weeks later because as the swelling goes down more, the cast loosens.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. 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 to keep the bones aligned. Reduction is the technical term for the process in which the doctor moves the broken pieces into place. If your broken 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. If the broken bone is in a good position, a cast may be applied until the bone heals. The choice depends on many factors, such as the nature of the fracture, your age and activity level, and the surgeon's best judgment. There are many treatment options for a distal radius fracture. The treatment of broken bones follows one basic rule: The broken pieces must be put back into position and prevented from moving out of place until they are healed. Depending on the type of distal ulna fracture, you may or may not require additional treatment. Sometimes, the other bone of the forearm (the ulna) is also broken. It is important to classify the type of fracture because intra-articular fractures, open fractures, comminuted fractures, and displaced fractures (when the broken pieces of bone do not line up straight) are more difficult to treat than other types of fractures. Comminuted fracture - When a bone is broken into more than two pieces, it is called a comminuted fracture.These types of fractures require immediate medical attention because of the risk for infection. Open fracture - When a fractured bone breaks the skin, it is called an open fracture.Extra-articular fracture - A fracture that does not extend into the joint is called an extra-articular fracture. Intra-articular fracture - An intra-articular fracture is one that extends into the wrist joint.Other ways the distal radius can break include: A Colles fracture occurs when the broken end of the radius tilts upward.
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