Written by
Læge
Praktiserende læge, ph.d.
Fractura partis distalis radii
Fracture in the wrist is frequent and typically occurs after falling on a stretched arm. Pain in the wrist immediately after the fall is a sign of fracture or sprain. On suspicion of breakage, an X-ray is taken. The treatment will usually be a cast for 4 weeks, but surgery may be necessary if the fracture is complicated.
The wrist is the place where we most often break a bone. It is especially children and the elderly who break their wrists.
In children and young people, the fracture typically occurs in connection with sports or play, where the child or the young person falls and lands on a stretched arm. In elderly adults, the fracture typically occurs on a slippery surface, where the person falls and takes off with the hand.
Right quickly, there is pain in the wrist, which also raises. In case of a complicated fracture, the wrist is skewed. Pressure on the wrist exacerbates the pain.
If the arm is stretched, the wrist may become sprained or broken. In a sprain, the wrist is sore immediately after the accident, and the soreness increases over a few hours. If your wrist is broken, there is pain immediately. It can be very difficult to determine whether the wrist is broken or sprained. In the case of a typical medical history with a fall while stretching the arm and wrist pain, an X-ray should therefore be taken.
The diagnosis is made by taking an X-ray of the wrist.
Immediately after the accident, take painkillers (paracetamol), place an ice bag or similar on your wrist for 20 minutes every hour, and hold your arm above the heart’s level.
Always consult your doctor on the same day for typical medical history with a fall on a stretched arm and pain in your wrist.
In case of suspected breach of the wrist.
The doctor will take an X-ray of the wrist. In most cases, the treatment will be a cast for 4 weeks. In complicated cases where the wrist is skewed, it may be necessary to put the wrist in place before a cast is applied.
