Broken Wrist

A broken wrist can refer to a fracture in one or more of the 10 bones involved at the juncture of the arm and hand, but is most often due to a break in the radius. In many cases, a wrist fracture can be treated via splinting or casting once the bone has been reset into position and is stabilized. But in cases of comminuted fractures – where pieces of the bone have shattered or are otherwise unstable, surgery may be required. Likewise, any open fracture (where bone breaks through the skin) will require surgery. It is often difficult for a person to tell whether they have sprained or broken their wrist, but it’s wise to seek medical evaluation in either case because both types of injury can cause serious damage to the wrist’s structure, leading to long-term pain and stiffness.