WRIST (DISTAL RADIUS/ ULNA FRACTURES)

Distal Radius and Ulna Fractures are fractures of the forearm at the point where they join the wrist. Wrist fractures are very common and can be the result of a wide array of incidents and accidents. The recommended treatment for wrist fractures is highly reliant on the severity of the fracture.

I think I’ve broken my wrist. What should I do?

The first step for any wrist fracture is to conduct a careful assessment and examination at orthopedic clinic in London followed by an x-ray to assess the extent of the damage. After this has taken place, sometimes a CT scan is helpful to recognise anything that may have been missed by an x-ray.

If I do have a wrist fracture, what’s the treatment?

This depends on the severity of the damage and the position of the bones. If everything is well aligned, the orthopedic specialist may advise you to avoid surgery and treat the fracture with a plaster or splint. If the fragments have moved significantly, surgery might be needed. This is usually done using a plate and screws.

If I do need surgery, does it have to be done immediately?

In most cases surgery can be safely done any time within the first 2 weeks following the fracture while still achieving an excellent result. For more information on treatment or surgery with our orthopaedic specialist please get in touch.