Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 4: Seeking treatment
• Part 2 of 4: Reduce the pain and swelling
• Part 3 of 4: Daily tasks
• Part 4 of 4: Recover after a fracture heals
• Tips
• Warnings

A fractured wrist can actually include both the distal radius and / or ulna, as well as various other bones in the wrist (the carpal bones). It's a fairly common injury. In fact, the radius is the most broken bone in the arm. One in 10 broken bones is a broken distal radius. A broken wrist can occur if you fall or are hit by something. People at particularly high risk of fractured wrists include athletes who engage in high-impact sports and those with osteoporosis (thin, fragile bones). If you have a broken wrist, you will likely need to wear a splint or cast until your wrist heals. Read on to learn some ways to deal with a broken wrist.

To step

Part 1 of 4: Seeking treatment

1. Go to the doctor. A broken wrist requires medical attention so that it can heal properly. If the pain is not too bad, you can wait until you can see your regular doctor. If you have any of the following complaints, urgent medical attention is required:
   • Significant pain or swelling
   • Numbness in the wrist, hand, or fingers
   • A distorted appearance of the wrist (crooked or curved)
   • An open fracture (where the broken bone punctures the skin)
   • Pale fingers
2. Understand treatment procedures. Most broken wrists are first treated with a splint, made of hard plastic, fiberglass or metal, attached to the wrist with bandages or a brace. It should usually be left in place for a week until the swelling subsides.
   • After the initial swelling has subsided, a cast or fiberglass dressing will be applied after a few days or a week.
   • You may need to have a second cast in place after two or three weeks, as the swelling continues to subside and the first dressing loosens.
3. Wait six to eight weeks. Most broken wrists will heal in six to eight weeks with proper treatment. So you will probably wear a cast most of that time.
   • The doctor will usually take regular X-rays during this time to check that your wrist is healing correctly.
4. See a physical therapist. After the cast has been removed, you may be referred to a physiotherapist. Physical therapy can help regain the strength and movement you lost after the injury.
   • If you don't need physical therapy, your doctor will likely recommend some exercises to do at home. Make sure to follow your doctor's recommendations that can help return your wrist to normal function.

Part 2 of 4: Reduce the pain and swelling

1. Keep your wrist high. Raising your wrist above the level of your heart will help reduce swelling and pain. It is important to elevate your wrist for at least the first 48-72 hours after applying a cast. Your doctor may recommend raising your wrist longer.
   • You may also need to keep the wrist elevated while you sleep or during the day. Keep your wrist in place with a few pillows.
2. Apply ice to your wrist. Ice build-up on your wrist can help reduce swelling and pain. Make sure your cast stays dry while applying the ice.
   • Put ice in a resealable plastic bag. Make sure the bag is properly sealed to prevent leakage. Wrap the bag in a towel to prevent condensation from forming in your cast.
   • You can also use a bag of frozen vegetables as an ice pack. Use vegetables that are small and even sized, such as corn or peas (which, of course, you cannot eat after using the bag as an ice pack).
   • Keep the ice on your wrist for 15-20 minutes, every two to three hours. Apply ice for the first 2-3 days, or for as long as your doctor recommends.
   • You may also find it helpful to use a commercial gel as an ice pack. These are reusable bags with a liquid that you can freeze, that do not melt or leak water, so that the cast stays dry. You can find them at medical stores and most pharmacies.
3. Take over-the-counter pain relievers. Most wrist pain can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers. Talk to your doctor about what kind of pain reliever is right for you. Some can negatively affect medical conditions or other medications you take. Your doctor may recommend a combination of ibuprofen and acetaminophen / acetaminophen to help manage pain and reduce swelling. These are more effective together than either on their own.
   • Ibuprofen is an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory). It helps reduce fever and swelling by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins in your body. Other NSAIDs are naproxen sodium and aspirin, although aspirin has a longer anticoagulant effect than other NSAIDs.
   • Your doctor may not recommend aspirin if you have a blood disorder, asthma, anemia, or any other medical condition. Aspirin can interact negatively with various medications and adversely affect medical conditions.
   • When administering painkillers to children, you should use a formulation suitable for children and adjust the dosage to the age and weight of the child. Aspirin is not recommended for children under the age of 18.
   • There is a risk of liver damage from taking acetaminophen, so only use as much as recommended by your doctor.
   • Do not use an over-the-counter pain reliever for more than 10 days (5 days for children) unless directed by your doctor. If your pain persists after 10 days, see your doctor.
4. Move your fingers and your elbow around. It is important to keep moving the joints that are not in the cast, such as your elbow and fingers, to keep blood flow going. This will help speed up the healing process and increase your mobility.
   • If you experience pain while moving your elbow or fingers, contact your doctor.
5. Do not insert objects into the cast. The skin under the cast may become itchy, and you will likely want to scratch. Do not! This can damage your skin or cast. You should not push anything under the cast with a stick or anything.
   • Better to raise the cast or blow it with a hair dryer on the "low" or "cool" setting.
   • Also, do not put powders in the cast. Anti-itch powders can cause irritation if they get caught under the cast.
6. Use moleskin to avoid scratching. The cast may chafe or irritate your skin, where the edges meet your skin. If necessary, put moleskin directly on the skin where the cast is abrasive. You can buy moleskin (also English leather) at drugstores and pharmacies.
   • Use moleskin on clean, dry skin. Replace this when it gets dirty or becomes less tacky.
   • If the edges of your cast get rough, you can file them with a nail file. You may peel, cut, or break off pieces of your cast.
7. Know when to call your doctor. In most cases, with proper care, your wrist will heal within a few weeks. If you experience any of the following problems, see your doctor:
   • Numbness or a tingling sensation in your hand or fingers
   • Cold, pale or blue fingers
   • Increased pain or swelling of the area after the cast has been applied
   • Painful or irritated skin around the edges of the cast
   • Cracks or soft spots in the cast
   • Wet, loose, or tight casts
   • A cast that smells bad or itchy that won't go away

Part 3 of 4: Daily tasks

1. Avoid getting your cast wet. Since many casts are made of plaster, they are easily damaged by water. A plaster cast that gets damp can also mold on the inside. Casts that have gotten wet can also lead to sores on your skin under the cast. Do not let the cast get wet.
   • Tape a sturdy plastic bag (such as a garbage bag) over your cast when you bathe or shower. Keep your cast out of the shower or bathtub to reduce the chance of it getting wet.
   • Wrap a washcloth or small towel around the top of your cast to prevent water from leaking under the cast.
   • You may be able to get waterproof packaging for a cast from your doctor or a pharmacy.
2. Dry a cast immediately if it gets wet. If your cast does get wet, pat it dry with a bath towel. Then blow with a hair dryer on the "low" or "cool" setting for 15-30 minutes.
   • If the cast is still wet or soft after trying to dry it, call your doctor. You may need a new cast.
3. Wear a sock over your hand. If you get cold fingers from wearing the cast, you may have poor blood flow (or it may just be cold in the house). Raise your wrist and wear a sock over your hand to keep your fingers warm.
   • Moving your fingers can help restore blood circulation.
4. Wear clothes that are easy to put on. Putting on clothes with fasteners such as buttons or zippers may be difficult when you're in a cast. Clothing with tight sleeves is also usually not a good idea, as they may not fit over a cast.
   • Choose loose, stretchy clothing. With pants or skirts with an elastic waist, you don't have to struggle with fasteners.
   • Short-sleeved or sleeveless shirts are a good idea.
   • Use your good arm to gently pull the shirt sleeve over the cast. Try to move your arm as little as possible in the cast.
   • Use a shawl or blanket to keep it warm instead of a jacket, which can be harder to get on. A thick poncho or cape may be easier than a jacket.
   • Don't be ashamed to ask someone for help if you need to.
5. Ask if someone in class can take notes for you. If you're still in school or in college, and you've broken the wrist of your dominant hand, you may need a note taker or other provisions while your wrist heals. Speak to your teacher or the appropriate department at your university.
   • If you can learn to write with your non-dominant hand then this will certainly help, but this is something that can be difficult and takes a long time.
   • If you've broken the wrist of your non-dominant hand, rest a heavy object such as a book or paperweight on the paper to hold it in place while you write. Use your injured arm as little as possible.
6. Make edits with your other hand. If you can, use your healthy arm for daily tasks such as brushing your teeth and eating. This will help reduce inflammation in your injured wrist.
   • You should not lift or carry things with your injured wrist. This can cause worse injuries and slow down the healing process.
7. Avoid cycling or driving, or operating machinery. This is especially important if you have broken the wrist of your dominant hand. It is unsafe to drive while in a cast and your doctor will likely tell you.
   • While it is not illegal to drive with a cast on your wrist, use common sense when deciding whether or not to drive.
   • Other machines - especially machines that require two-handed operation - should be avoided.

Part 4 of 4: Recover after a fracture heals

1. Take good care of your arm and wrist after the cast is removed. After the cast is removed, you may notice that your skin is dry and there is some swelling.
   • You may also find that your skin is dry or looks flaky. Your muscles may appear a bit smaller than when the cast was on them, which is normal.
   • Soak your arm / wrist in warm water for 5-10 minutes. Gently dry the skin with a towel.
   • Use a moisturizing cream on the wrist and arm to soften the skin.
   • To reduce swelling, you can take ibuprofen or aspirin as recommended by your doctor.
2. Return to your normal activities as recommended by your doctor or physical therapist. It may take some time before you are able to fully return to your usual routine. In particular, you may have to wait one to two months before resuming light exercise, such as swimming or cardio. It may be best to postpone strenuous activities such as a team sport for another three to six months.
   • Try to avoid further injuries to your wrist. Braces can help prevent future wrist injuries.
3. Remember that healing takes time. Just because your cast is off does not mean that you are completely healed. It takes six months or more to heal, if the fracture was severe.
   • You may still experience pain or stiffness for months or years after the fracture.
   • The healing process is also affected by age and overall health. Children and teens will usually heal faster than adults. Older adults and people with osteoporosis or osteoarthritis will not heal as quickly or may not heal completely.

Tips

• Try to keep the arm raised above the heart when you are in a lot of pain. This helps to return blood and fluid to the heart, which can reduce pain and swelling a little.
• Try to keep your wrist supported when you sleep. Lie on your back with a pillow under your wrist.
• If you have to fly while in a cast, check with your airline. You may not be able to fly within 24-48 hours of plaster cast.
• Writing on a cast is okay. Use permanent markers to avoid ink stains on clothing or sheets.
• If you are having trouble loosening bottle and jar lids, clamp them between your thighs / knees / feet and use your good hand to unscrew them.

Warnings

• Get immediate medical attention for a broken wrist. Failure to receive proper treatment can ultimately result in serious physical complaints.