![]() ![]() Provide analgesia whilst waiting for X-ray.Assess for deformity and examine for any skin defects that might lead to a diagnosis of a compound fracture.Assess Airway, Breathing and Circulation and manage as necessary.Wrist fractures treatment and management Does the patient feel that it is unstable?.Was there a sound or a feeling of something breaking on impact?.What was the mechanism of injury? Note the degree of trauma, as fracture with a mild force suggests osteoporosis.They also become more common with advancing age, partly because advancing age is related to an increased risk of falls and partly because of osteoporosis.They are more common in children and in young adults, especially those involved in risk-taking activities.Fractures of the wrist are common, representing about a quarter of all fractures of limbs.The trauma is often bilateral, with proximal lesions (elbow) very often associated with contusion or compression of the median nerve. High-energy injuries to the wrist may involve complex fractures of the distal radius, radiocarpal dislocations, perilunate dislocations, and other intracarpal dislocations, depending on the energy of the injury and the position of the wrist at the time of impact. Greenstick fracture (confined to children).Chauffeur's fracture (fracture of the radial styloid).Barton's fracture (fracture dislocation of the radiocarpal joint).Smith's fracture (distal radius with volar displacement of fragments).Colles' fracture (distal radius with dorsal displacement of fragments).If the bone is fractured and the overlying skin is broken this is a compound fracture and must be treated as such. Classification of wrist fractures Īs with fractures elsewhere in the body, wrist fractures can be:įor a fracture to be compound, the bone does not have to be protruding through the skin. See also the separate article on Carpal Fractures and Dislocations. Wrist fractures in the elderly are associated with deformity and significant and prolonged/permanent loss of dependence, especially in frail patients. Accurate diagnosis and correct treatment help to prevent long-term loss of function. The eight carpal bones are injured less frequently. ![]() You'll be asked to attend follow-up appointments to check how your arm or wrist is healing.Three quarters of wrist injuries are fractures of the distal radius and ulna. If you had a very bad break, surgery may be carried out to fix broken bones back into place.īefore leaving hospital, you'll be given painkillers to take home and advice on how to look after your cast. You'll be given medicine before this happens so you will not feel any pain. You may be given a sling to support your arm.Ī doctor may try to fit the broken bones back into place with their hands before applying a splint or cast. Sometimes this may be done a few days later to allow any swelling to go down first. You will also be given painkilling medicines for the pain.Īn X-ray is then used to see if there is a break and how bad that break is.Ī plaster cast can be used to keep your arm in place until it heals. When you get to hospital the affected arm will be placed in a splint to support it and stop any broken bones from moving out of position. The St John Ambulance website has information about how to make an arm sling Treatment for a broken arm or wrist
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |