5 Things You Need to Know About a Broken Wrist

1. Play It Safe

People who participate in sports have a greater chance of breaking a wrist. Hockey, basketball and football players are at risk for getting a broken wrist. If you ski or snowboard, you may break your wrist. You should wear the proper safety gear to protect yourself from a broken wrist. To lower your risk, you also need to treat any health conditions. People with osteoporosis or a calcium deficiency have a higher chance of suffering a broken wrist. Ask your doctor about a calcium supplement to keep your bones strong and able to withstand trauma better.

2. It's Obvious: It's a Broken Wrist

Severe pain at the site is one of the most obvious signs of a broken wrist. When you attempt to move your wrist, the pain significantly worsens. The wrist pain will likely radiate down into your hands and affect the fingers. You may not be able to move your fingers or they may feel numb. If you look closely at your wrist, you'll see that it looks off. You may see a bend that was not there before you suffered the break. Additional symptoms of a broken wrist include swelling and bruising at the site.

3. Get Help Immediately!

If you suspect you have a broken wrist, you must seek medical attention promptly. Otherwise you may prevent the bones in the wrist from healing properly. When the bones heal wrong, the alignment in your wrist suffers. If your wrist does not align properly, you may have trouble using your hand to perform everyday activities, like grasping objects, buttoning things and waving.

4. Treatments Vary

When you go to the hospital with a broken wrist, the doctor will x-ray the injury. Imaging technology helps the doctor see the extent of the fracture. Your doctor will then use a splint to keep the wrist from moving. This promotes healing and ensures proper alignment. Unless it's a serious break, you'll be sent home and told to rest and ice the injury. If the break involves a displaced fracture, an open wound or multiple breaks, surgery may be performed to repair the damage.

5. Look Out for Wrist Fracture Complications

After you've healed, you need to be wary of complications that can arise from a broken wrist. The most common complication reported is continuous pain and stiffening at the wrist. After a few months, you should regain normal feeling and use of the affected wrist. Another complication includes an increased risk of developing arthritis. If you still feel stiffness and swelling several months later, consult your physician about it. In rare cases, nerve damage or infection can occur.