Broken Wrist (Distal Radius Fracture)

Overview

A broken wrist, medically known as a distal radius fracture, is one of the most common bone injuries we treat. The distal radius is the larger of the two forearm bones, and it breaks near the wrist joint where the bone is naturally thinner. This type of fracture accounts for nearly one in six fractures treated in emergency departments, affecting people of all ages and activity levels.

At our San Diego orthopedic practice, we see broken wrists resulting from everything from weekend sports mishaps to falls at home. The good news is that most broken wrists heal well with proper treatment, and many do not require surgery. Our approach always begins with a thorough evaluation to determine the least invasive treatment that will give you the best long-term result.

Causes

Broken wrists most commonly occur from falling onto an outstretched hand. When you stumble or slip, the natural reflex is to extend your arms to break the fall, and the force of impact concentrates on the wrist. Other common causes include:

• Sports injuries — contact sports, cycling falls, skateboarding, and snowboarding are frequent culprits
• Car and motorcycle accidents — high-energy impacts can cause more complex fracture patterns
• Osteoporosis — weakened bones in older adults can fracture from even minor falls
• Workplace accidents — falls from ladders or impacts with heavy equipment

Younger patients tend to sustain wrist fractures from high-energy activities, while older adults may fracture a wrist from a simple standing-height fall due to reduced bone density.

Symptoms in Detail

Recognizing the signs of a broken wrist early leads to better treatment outcomes. Symptoms typically appear immediately after injury and may include:

• Pain and swelling — sharp pain at the wrist that worsens with movement, accompanied by swelling that develops within minutes to hours
• Bruising — discoloration around the wrist and hand that may spread to the fingers over the first few days
• Tenderness — the injured area is painful to touch, particularly along the top of the wrist
• Visible deformity — in displaced fractures, the wrist may appear bent or crooked, sometimes described as a “dinner fork” deformity
• Difficulty gripping — weakness in the hand and inability to grasp objects or bear weight through the wrist
• Numbness or tingling — some patients experience altered sensation in the fingers, which should be reported to your doctor immediately

If you experience any of these symptoms after an injury, it is important to seek medical evaluation promptly. What may seem like a bad sprain could actually be a fracture that needs proper treatment.

Diagnosis

When you visit our office with a suspected wrist fracture, we begin with a detailed physical examination. Your doctor will assess the injury site for swelling, deformity, and tenderness, and will check circulation, sensation, and movement in your fingers.

X-rays are the primary imaging tool for diagnosing wrist fractures and are typically performed during your first visit. They allow us to see the fracture pattern, determine whether the bone fragments are aligned or displaced, and plan appropriate treatment. In some cases, a CT scan may be ordered to provide a more detailed view of complex fracture patterns, particularly when surgical planning is needed.

Treatment Options

Our philosophy is to always explore non-surgical treatment first. Many broken wrists heal excellently without an operation, and we will only recommend surgery when it is genuinely necessary for the best functional outcome.

Non-Surgical Treatment

The majority of stable, well-aligned wrist fractures are treated without surgery:

• Splinting — an initial splint is often applied to allow for swelling, providing support while keeping the bones in proper position
• Closed reduction — if the bone fragments are displaced, your doctor may realign them manually under local anesthesia before applying a splint or cast
• Casting — once swelling decreases, a fiberglass or plaster cast is applied to hold the bones in alignment while they heal, typically worn for 4-6 weeks
• Follow-up X-rays — we monitor healing with periodic imaging to ensure the bones remain properly aligned throughout the recovery process

Surgical Treatment

Surgery may be recommended when the fracture is unstable, severely displaced, involves the joint surface, or cannot be adequately aligned with casting alone. Common surgical approaches include:

• Internal fixation with plates and screws — a small incision is made to realign the bone, and a metal plate with screws holds the fragments in place during healing
• External fixation — a frame outside the body holds the bones in position through small pins, used in certain complex fractures
• Percutaneous pinning — small wires are inserted through the skin to hold bone fragments in place

Even when surgery is required, the procedures are well-established and typically performed on an outpatient basis, meaning you go home the same day.

Recovery Timeline

Recovery from a broken wrist follows a general progression, though every patient heals at their own pace:

• Weeks 1-2 — splinting, pain management, and controlling swelling with ice and elevation
• Weeks 2-6 — casting or continued splinting; gentle finger exercises to maintain mobility
• Weeks 6-8 — cast removal and transition to a removable brace; beginning of physical therapy
• Weeks 8-12 — progressive strengthening exercises and gradual return to daily activities
• Months 3-6 — continued rehabilitation and return to sports or demanding physical activities

Physical therapy plays a key role in recovery, helping restore range of motion, grip strength, and overall wrist function. We develop individualized rehabilitation plans to help you reach your recovery goals as efficiently as possible.

When to See a Doctor

Seek medical attention if you experience wrist pain and swelling after a fall or impact, especially if you notice deformity, cannot move your wrist, or have numbness in your fingers. Early evaluation and treatment lead to better healing and lower risk of complications such as stiffness or chronic pain.

If you suspect a wrist fracture, contact our San Diego office to schedule an evaluation. Our experienced orthopedic team will provide a thorough assessment and develop a treatment plan tailored to your specific injury and lifestyle.