Wrist Fracture
The most common fracture in adults — and the joint least forgiving of shortcuts.
Overview
Understanding wrist fracture
A fall onto an outstretched hand drives the two classic wrist fractures: the distal radius — the most common adult fracture — and the scaphoid, a small bone with an infamous trap: it can fracture with normal initial X-rays and a fragile blood supply that punishes missed diagnoses.
The wrist is a precision joint, and treatment revolves around restoring exact anatomy: alignment decides future motion, grip strength, and arthritis risk.
Symptoms
What it feels like
- Pain, swelling, and bruising after a fall on the hand
- Visible deformity in displaced radius fractures
- Snuffbox tenderness — the scaphoid's signature — even with "normal" X-rays
- Pain with gripping and wrist motion
Common causes
Why it happens
- Falls onto an outstretched hand
- Sports and vehicle injuries
- Bone-density loss lowering the fracture threshold — a wrist fracture after a simple fall is a standard prompt to check bone health
Diagnosis
How it's diagnosed
X-rays classify most fractures; CT maps joint-surface involvement for surgical planning; and MRI catches the occult scaphoid fracture early. Suspected scaphoid injuries with normal films are protected and re-imaged rather than dismissed — the trap is well known and avoidable.
Treatment
The full range of options
Non-surgical
Cast or splint management
Well-aligned, stable fractures heal reliably in a cast with scheduled X-ray checks to confirm position holds.
Bone-health workup
Low-energy fractures trigger a bone-density conversation — treating the fracture without addressing fragility treats half the problem.
Surgical
Plate fixation (distal radius)
Displaced or unstable fractures are realigned and fixed with a low-profile plate, allowing early motion instead of months of casting.
Scaphoid screw fixation
Displaced or slow-healing scaphoid fractures are stabilized with a compression screw, often through a minimal incision.
Recovery
The road back
Casted fractures immobilize for roughly six weeks (scaphoid often longer); plated radius fractures start motion within days to weeks. Strength and endurance return over three to six months, and stiffness prevention through early guided motion is the quiet secret of great wrist outcomes.
Dr. Johnson's approach
Dr. Johnson treats wrist fractures with precision and suspicion in equal measure — exact alignment for the radius, structured vigilance for the scaphoid, and early motion whenever fixation makes it safe.
Straight answers
Frequently Asked Questions
The information on this site is for education only and is not a medical diagnosis or a substitute for professional medical advice. Every patient is different — please consult Dr. Johnson or a qualified provider about your specific condition.
Ready when you are
Take the first step past wrist fracture
A focused evaluation, an honest conversation, and a plan built for your goals.