What are the long term effects of a broken wrist?

Complications of a broken wrist are rare, but they might include: Ongoing stiffness, aching or disability. Stiffness, pain or aching in the affected area generally goes away eventually after your cast is removed or after surgery. However, some people have permanent stiffness or pain.

Can you fully recover from a broken wrist?

However, if you don't have surgery, you may start wrist motion later to avoid shifting of the fracture. It can take anywhere from a few months to a year for your wrist to fully recover its function. Some people have stiffness and pain in their wrist for the rest of their life.

Why do I feel so tired after breaking my wrist?

Tiredness: It is normal to feel very tired after an injury. Take time to rest and recover. Some people find their balance is poor after a wrist fracture. Strength and Stiffness: While your wrist is healing in the cast your muscles become weak and your joints become stiff.

Is a broken wrist still painful after 6 weeks?

After a wrist fracture, most of the healing happens between 6 to 12 weeks. It's normal to have aches and discomfort beyond this. This often happens when you try activities you haven't done for a while. It's also normal for the area to be more sensitive for several months after the injury.

How long does it take for a broken wrist to heal after surgery?

This fixation is designed to be strong enough to allow you to move your wrist within the first few weeks of surgery. It will take about six weeks for your bone to heal and another six weeks for the bone to be almost as strong as it was before.

Broken Wrists: Fracture Types, Treatment Options, & Recovery - Dr. Froelich

How long to recover from broken wrist with plate and screws?

Healing Time

The wrist or distal radius fracture treated with surgery takes about 3 months to heal completely. If too much activity is done too early the metal plate can break before bone is healed.

What should you avoid after a wrist fracture?

Why does my broken wrist still hurt after a year?

With proper treatment, most wrist fractures heal without problems. But some patients may continue to experience pain and/or loss of motion. This may be due to a number of things, the most common being damage to structures surrounding the bones -- e.g., ligaments, cartilage -- at the time of injury.

Why can't I make a fist after wrist fracture?

A compression element that leaves the wrist in an overly bent position can also affect the median nerve (milder form in this case) and prevent the patient to exert normal strength with his hand or to make a fist”.

How do you tell if a broken wrist hasnt healed properly?

“Patients who suspect their fracture has not healed after treatment or is not healing properly should look out for three things: pain at the site, deformity – the bone was straight and now it's bent – and impaired use or function – leg or ankle still cannot support weight.

Will my wrist ever be the same after breaking it?

Complications of a broken wrist are rare, but they might include: Ongoing stiffness, aching or disability. Stiffness, pain or aching in the affected area generally goes away eventually after your cast is removed or after surgery. However, some people have permanent stiffness or pain.

Can you move your fingers with a broken wrist?

Some people can still move or use the hand or wrist even if there is a broken bone. Swelling or a bone out of place can make the wrist appear deformed. There is often pain right around the break and with finger movement. Sometimes the fingers tingle or feel numb at the tips.

Why does broken wrist hurt more at night?

“Pain may be worse at night as a result of swelling that occurred during the day or just from whatever activity you did,” Dr. Schultz said. Elevating your injury and decreasing swelling can significantly control pain.

Are you insured to drive with a cast on your wrist?

An injury, especially one treated with a splint or plaster can reduce your range of motion. You should assess your own ability to move before driving a vehicle. Having a limb injury and/or a splint or plaster may invalidate your motor insurance. It is advised that you should discuss your injury with your provider.

Does a broken wrist hurt a lot?

A wrist fracture hurts, sometimes a lot. Symptoms include pain, tenderness, swelling and/or bruising. A doctor may diagnose a wrist fracture based on information gathered from the patient, a physical exam, and X-rays.

Should I wear a wrist brace after cast removal?

You should have been given a removable splint when your cast was removed. Continue to wear this at night and for protection in busy environments, such as on public transport. It is important to start wrist exercises as soon as the cast is removed.

What are the red flags for a wrist fracture?

Patients should be advised to return to the emergency department if they develop any of the following red flags: Increasing pain in the area. Numbness in the fingers. Increasing swelling in the fingers.

How long will my broken wrist be stiff?

Almost all patients will have some stiffness in the wrist, which will generally diminish in the month or two after the cast is taken off or after surgery, and will continue to improve for at least two years. You should expect your recovery to take at least a year.

What does wrist arthritis feel like?

Common symptoms include pain, stiffness, swelling or numbness in the wrist and fingers. Pitted nails, painful ulcers or thickened skin that makes bending the fingers difficult may also occur. Here are some diseases that affect the hands. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis.

How do you exercise stiff fingers after a broken wrist?

Bend your elbow as far as you can and then straighten it, 10 times. Curl up all your fingers, bending them fully into the palm 10 times. Stretch out your fingers, to straighten each joint completely, 10 times. squeeze them together and relax, 10 times.

How do I make my wrist stop hurting after breaking it?

Elevate Your Wrist

To reduce swelling and pain, raise your wrist so it's above your heart. After a doctor places a cast on your wrist, you need to elevate it for the first 48-72 hours. You may need to keep your wrist raised in the daytime and while sleeping.

How should I sleep with a broken wrist?

It is common to find your quality of sleep is poor after an injury or surgery. Using cushions or pillows to support your arm can help to keep it elevated and make you more comfortable. It must be raised above your heart.

What not to do with wrist cast on?

You can shower with your cast on, but you need to keep it dry. Avoid getting the cast wet by wrapping your arm in a plastic bag whenever you're in contact with water. You shouldn't grip strongly or lift heavy things with an arm that's in a cast. Don't stick objects down inside your cast.

What are the 4 types of wrist fractures?

Common wrist fractures

Colles' fracture (distal radius with dorsal displacement of fragments). Smith's fracture (distal radius with volar displacement of fragments). Scaphoid fracture. Barton's fracture (fracture dislocation of the radiocarpal joint).

Should plate and screws be removed from wrist?

In general, reasons for removing hardware from the wrist include: the hardware is prominent, causing you discomfort or limiting your motion. the hardware may be irritating tendons or nerves in your wrist. the hardware may need to be removed because other future procedures are planned for your wrist.