The wrist is composed of many bones and acts as a connecting joint between your arm and hand. Fracture occurs when any of the wrist bones becomes broken. Wrist fractures occur for many reasons, such as trauma during sporting activities, a car accident or medical conditions, including osteoporosis that make bones weak. Early recognition of a wrist fracture is important. Failure to promptly treat a wrist fracture can lead to reduced wrist function or permanent wrist disability from bones that did not properly heal.
Pain
Pain may be present with a wrist fracture, depending on the location and severity of the injury. Pain may be felt generally, or only when the wrist is touched over the fractured area.
The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons states that gripping an item or making a fist may cause pain, or makes pain worse. In some instances, wrist pain may develop several hours after the initial wrist injury and may accompany other wrist fracture symptoms.
Swelling
Swelling can occur after a wrist fracture as fluid builds up inside the skin around the fracture site. A broken wrist may appear puffy. When compared to the uninjured arm, the broken wrist may appear larger.
The Mayo Clinic states that swelling, especially if accompanied by pain in an injured wrist is cause for medical attention. Swelling may occur directly over the wrist injury, or may spread to the hand and fingers as well.
Reduced Movement
Range of motion, or ability to move the wrist, may be decreased with a wrist fracture. Movement of the wrist joint can be extremely painful and reduced to only minimal movement instead of a normal range of motion.
Depending on the area of fracture, reduced movement may also occur in the fingers and hand on the side of the affected wrist. Weakness can also be present, making holding or lifting objects difficult or impossible.
Deformity
Deformity of the wrist may be present depending on the severity of the wrist fracture. The injured wrist may appear odd or misshapen. Deformities can include an abnormal lump under the skin around the area of wrist injury, or the bone could be visible through the skin at the injury site.
The hand on the affected side may also appear crooked or out of place. The National Institutes of Health shares that a deformity causing the hand to bend backward and outward may be present with some wrist fractures.
