✋ Wrist Fracture
🔹 What It Is
A wrist fracture means a break in one or more of the wrist bones.
The wrist is made up of:
. Radius & Ulna (two forearm bones that meet the wrist).
. 8 small carpal bones.

👉 Most common wrist fracture: Distal Radius Fracture (break near the end of the radius bone).

🔹 Causes
. Falls (most common) → falling on an outstretched hand (FOOSH injury).
. Sports injuries.
. Car or bike accidents.
. Osteoporosis (weak bones in elderly increase risk).

🔹 Symptoms
. Severe pain in wrist.
. Swelling & bruising.
. Deformity (wrist may look bent or crooked).
. Inability to move the wrist/hand.
. Numbness or tingling (if nerves are affected).

🔹 Types of Wrist Fractures
. Distal Radius Fracture (most common).
. Colles’ fracture (bone tilts upward).
. Smith’s fracture (bone tilts downward).
. Scaphoid Fracture (one of the carpal bones, often missed on X-rays).
. Ulna Fracture (sometimes with radius).
. Comminuted Fracture (bone shatters into pieces).
. Open Fracture (bone breaks skin → higher infection risk).

🔹 Diagnosis
. X-ray → confirms fracture.
. CT scan or MRI if complex or small bone involvement.

🔹 Treatment Options
. Depends on type & severity of fracture:
1. Non-Surgical (Stable fractures)
. Splint or plaster cast for 4–6 weeks.
. Painkillers & ice packs.
. Physiotherapy after cast removal.
2.Surgical (Unstable / Displaced fractures)
. External fixation → pins & frame outside wrist.
. Internal fixation → plates, screws, or rods.
. Especially used if bone pieces are displaced or joint is affected.

🔹 Recovery Timeline
. Simple fracture: 6–8 weeks.
. Complex fracture (surgery): 3–6 months for full strength.
. Rehabilitation: physiotherapy is crucial to restore motion, grip, and prevent stiffness.

🔹 Complications (if untreated or severe)
⚠️ Malunion (bone heals in wrong position).
⚠️ Stiffness / limited movement.
⚠️ Chronic pain or arthritis.
⚠️ Nerve or blood vessel damage.