The wrist is a common location for a broken bone at any age. The break often occurs when a person tries to brace a fall with an outstretched hand. The term “broken wrist” most often refers to a fracture of the distal radius (a portion of one of the forearm bones that is close to the wrist, Figure 1). Depending on many variables (patient factors and the type of break), distal radius fractures can be treated with or without surgery.
When distal radius fractures are amenable to nonsurgical treatment, the affected arm might be placed in a cast or a brace that attempts to protect the bone from shifting further out of place. When nonsurgical treatment cannot hold the alignment of the wrist or when the benefits of surgery are felt to outweigh the risks, then surgery may be performed. Surgery commonly consists of re-aligning the bone at the fracture site, and placing a plate and screws to hold the alignment in place (Figure 2). Often, this internal fixation allows decreased time in a cast and earlier motion to the wrist.
One complication that can occur after a distal radius fracture is known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, whereby a chronic pain condition develops after an injury and is thought to be a result of a malfunction of the nervous system. After a distal radius fracture, vitamin C supplementation of 1000-1500 mg per day has been shown to decrease the development of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (click here for additional information regarding vitamin C supplementation). Discuss with your doctor the benefits of vitamin C supplementation after distal radius fracture.
Fracture locations:
Hip fracture (proximal femur fracture)
Thigh fracture (femur shaft fracture)
Knee fracture (distal femur, patella, and tibial plateau fractures)
Shin fracture (tibial shaft fracture)
Ankle fracture (including pilon fracture)
Shoulder fracture (proximal humerus, and clavicle fractures)