The Anatomy Of Your Wrist
You depend upon your wrist joint to assist in the process of allowing a full range of movement with your hands. It also supplies your source of strength whenever you attempt to grip an object while also providing you with the flexibility to type on your phone and your computer.
Your wrist is capable of performing these tasks through the coordination of bones, ligaments, tendons, muscles, nerves and blood vessels that all comprise this joint.
Your wrist also forms a connection between your forearm and your hand. It contains two large bones that originate in the forearm, and they are referred to as the radius and the ulna. There are also eight smaller bones that are referred to as the carpal bones.
Causes Of Wrist Pain
There are multiple reasons why you might experience pain in your wrist. Some of these sources of discomfort are more serious in nature than others.
- Tendonitis – this develops due to inflammation of one or more tendons that are located in your wrist
- Carpal tunnel syndrome – this occurs if the median nerve that progresses from your arm to your wrist (carpal tunnel) becomes compressed due to swelling
- Osteoarthritis – this inflammation emerges due to the degeneration of the cartilage in your joint. This usually develops from overall wear and tear in your joint
- Rheumatoid arthritis – this takes place if your immune system attacks the cartilage or ligaments of your wrist
- Gout – this occurs when uric acid builds up in your joint. This condition is most prevalent in the big toe but can emerge in the wrist
- Bursitis – if the bursa sacs that lubricate your bones, muscles and tendons become inflamed, then it can lead to this condition
- Sprain – this pain develops when a sudden movement or impact forces the ligaments of your wrist to extend beyond their normal range
Understanding Broken Wrists
In addition to the potential causes of wrist pain that have been listed, there are also situations in which you can experience a broken wrist. This can also be referred to as a fracture, and it occurs if you develop a crack or break in one of the bones that are located in your wrist.
This takes place most frequently when an individual is falling and attempts to cushion the landing with an outstretched hand.
Among the risk factors that also increase the prospects of contending with a broken wrist is a condition that is referred to as osteoporosis. This occurs if your bones have become fragile due to a lowered level of bone mass.
Participation in sports or recreational activities is beneficial to your health in various ways. However, it also increases the possibility that you will incur injury. This includes the potential of breaking your wrist.
The sports in which there is an increased risk of encountering a fractured wrist include football, rugby, hockey, skiing, snowboarding and horseback riding. However, the potential for this to transpire can be reduced through the use of wrist guards, which will safeguard your wrist from injury during these activities.
A significant impact that takes place during situations such as a vehicle collision can also result in a fractured wrist.
Symptoms Of A Broken Wrist
There are multiple symptoms that will provide you with an indication that you have broken your wrist. These include:
- Significant pain in your hand or wrist
- Pain that increases when you attempt to grip or squeeze an object
- Pain that intensifies when you attempt to move your wrist
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Bruising
- A deformity of the wrist
- A bone protruding through the skin
Different Types Of Broken Wrists
There are also multiple types of breaks that can emerge with your wrist. These forms of fractures are:
Simple – this involves a broken bone that remains aligned normally
Complex – this type of break occurs if a bone has been altered from its normal alignment
Comminuted – this form of fracture will involve more than one broken bone
Compound – a compound fracture will result in a bone that protrudes through the skin
When To Visit A Physician
If you believe that you have experienced a fractured wrist, then it is critical that you seek immediate medical attention. This will increase the likelihood that your bones will heal properly.
Any delay in treatment for a broken wrist will elevate the risk that your wrist will not heal in its original alignment. That, in turn, could diminish your range of motion, while also impacting your ability to grip objects.
When you visit a doctor, he or she will ask a series of questions concerning any type of event that might have caused your wrist pain, or any other topic that is related to your symptoms.
Your physician will also conduct a physical examination. This might include the use of X-rays, CT scans or MRIs that will help finalize a diagnosis.
Treatment
Your specific treatment will be determined by the severity of your fracture, and any other details surrounding your broken wrist. Your overall health can also affect the source of treatment.
In some cases, the use of a splint or a cast will be necessary. The splint might be used for nearly a week, while the cast might be necessary for 6-8 weeks. However, the amount of time that is involved with recovery will depend upon the type of break that was experienced.
If the bones are not lining up properly, then surgery will be recommended as the most effective form of treatment. The recovery time will vary based upon the severity of the original break, with some cases involving a period of six months.
Is My Wrist Sprained Or Is It Broken?
Your ligaments are comprised of fibrous connective tissue. They are tasked with the responsibility of keeping your joint intact by connecting your bones and stabilizing them. While they are sturdy and function effectively for you each day, issues can still emerge with your ligaments. In some cases, this can result in a sprain or break.
Sprains in the wrist often develop when the ligaments are extended beyond their normal range. In other cases, a sprain emerges when the ligaments become torn.
An actual break of the wrist is referred to medically as a wrist fracture. Your wrist is comprised of eight bones that are joined to the radius and ulna – which are two bones of the forearm. A break or fracture can emerge with any of these bones.
Causes Of Sprains And Breaks
Some sprains can be mild while others are more serious in nature, and this is determined by the exact cause of your wrist issue. The degree of seriousness varies depending upon whether you experienced a fall, if your wrist was twisted, if it was bent or if another type of problem occurred.
The specifics of the incident will determine the amount of damage that was done to your ligament. You might encounter an accident with your wrist while you are undertaking your day-to-day activities. However, incidents are most likely to transpire if you are participating in sports or recreational activities.
The most common sports and activities in which sprained wrists occur include basketball, baseball, gymnastics, diving, skating, skiing, skateboarding and in-line skating. Breaks are most likely for anyone who participates in football, horseback riding, rugby, hockey, skiing, snowboarding, in-line skating or uses a trampoline.
Types Of Sprains And Breaks
Sprains are given grades which designate the seriousness of each issue. Grade 1 sprains are mild and involve ligaments that are stretched but have not been torn. Grade 2 sprains are still moderate although there will be additional damage to the ligament.
Grade 3 sprains are most severe. They involve ligaments that are 100% torn or have separated from their normal attachment to your bone. A Grade 3 sprain often requires medical and surgical attention.
The most common break or fracture in the wrist is a distal radius fracture. This involves the radius, which is the largest of your two bones that are located in the forearm. The end of the radius that is closest to the wrist is referred to as the distal end. This form of fracture commonly occurs when an individual attempts to minimize the impact of a fall by using his or her outstretched hand.
Other fractures of the wrist include scaphoid fracture which is the second most frequent form of a break within the wrist. This involves the scaphoid carpal bone which is located at the base of your thumb tendons. A Chauffeur’s fracture involves the radius bone near the base of your thumb while an ulnar styloid fracture occurs with the ulnar – which is located adjacent to your hand near the end of your ulna.
As mentioned previously, there are other types of fractures that can develop within any of your eight carpal bones. It is recommended that you consult with a physician immediately if you have any concerns that you might have encountered a break within your wrist.
Symptoms Of Sprains
If you or someone in your family is experiencing swelling, bruising or a feeling of warmth surrounding the wrist, these are often symptoms that can indicate a sprain. If the wrist is also tender to the touch, or you notice a sensation of tearing or popping inside the wrist, this usually reveals the existence of a sprain.
Treatment For Sprains
If you have been officially diagnosed with a mild sprain, rest, ice, elastic compression bandages and elevation will usually provide sufficient treatment in order for the sprain to heal properly. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and aspirin might also be used in order to reduce swelling and pain.
Moderate sprains might also involve the use of a wrist splint for at least one week in order to immobilize your wrist. Serious sprains will often necessitate surgery in order to ensure that the ligament is fully repaired. The time period in which healing occurs can vary depending upon the specifics of your sprain.
At OrthoTexas, We Can Help
If you have any questions or concerns about the possibility that you are contending with a broken wrist, or if you need to talk with an experienced hand doctor about any other issue, the specialists at OrthoTexas understand how pain in your hand or wrist can affect your daily activities.
At OrthoTexas, we are also dedicated to making sure that you recover fully so that you can return to depending on your hand and wrist as you did previously.
Our team of physicians contains specialists for every condition that you might encounter.
Your path to recovery starts here. Schedule an appointment with OrthoTexas or find a location near you.