Some broken wrists will be noticeable because they cause deformity, while others are not so obvious. All broken wrists involve swelling and tenderness of the affected area. A broken wrist, or wrist fracture, is an acute injury, says the University of Michigan Medical Center.
Therapy for a broken wrist includes both weight-bearing and stretching exercises that increase strength and restore movement to your wrist and hand, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Carpal Stretches
Your broken wrist may be a fractured scaphoid, a carpal bone, according to the American Society for Hand Surgery. This bone is located in the hollow portion near your thumb, known as the "snuff box". No wrist deformity exists, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Exercises for the carpal tunnel area will help. Wriggle your fingers for two minutes. Keep your wrist immobile and make a tight fist. Hold for five seconds. Release the tension. Relax for five seconds. Repeat this exercise 10 times. Do a finger stretching exercise. Gently straighten and stretch your fingers as far as possible. Hold this stretch for 10 seconds.Relax for 20 seconds. Repeat five times.
Wrist Flexions
Osteoarthritis can cause broken wrists, according to the Mayo Clinic. Stretch and strengthen your wrist muscles by doing wrist bends. Get into shoulder-deep, warm water. Exercising in warm water will help your wrist muscles relax. Take three minutes to let your body become acclimated to the environment. Either sit on a step or stand while doing this exercise. Place your arms on your thighs. Bend the elbow of your injured arm to lift your forearm. Hold your injured arm with your uninjured arm, or place your injured arm on a ledge. Let your wrist hang down. Your fingers will be facing the pool's bottom. Hold this position for four seconds. Return your hand to the original position. Relax for 10 seconds. Lift your hand up, turning your wrist upward. Your fingers will be pointing toward the ceiling. Hold this position for three seconds. Slowly return your hand to the original position. Relax for 10 seconds. Repeat this exercise 10 times.
Wrist Supination
Wrist turns will stretch your muscles and improve your range of motion. Bend your injured arm at the elbow. Keep your elbow against your side. Lift your lower arm so your palm is facing downward and your lower arm is parallel with the floor. Slowly turn your palm upward. Hold this position for five seconds. Return your hand to the original position. Relax 10 seconds. Repeat this exercise 10 times.
Wrist Pumps
Strengthen your wrist muscles by doing wrist pumps or wrist curls. Strengthening your muscles will help increase your bone density while encouraging new bone growth, according to the University of Michigan Medical Center. Sit upright in a firm chair. Place the forearm of your injured arm on the arm of the chair. Slide this arm forward so that your wrist and hand are over the chair's edge. Make certain your hand is positioned so your palm faces up toward the ceiling. Place a 1- or 2-lb. weight into your injured-side hand. Slowly bend your wrist up. Hold this position five seconds. Return your hand to the original position. Slowly bend your wrist down. Return your hand to the original position. Repeat this exercise 10 times.
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