You are viewing the article How to Treat a Wrist Fracture at Tnhelearning.edu.vn you can quickly access the necessary information in the table of contents of the article below.
This article was co-written by Laura Marusinec, MD. Marusinec is a licensed pediatrician at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, and she is a member of the Clinical Practice Council. She received her PhD from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine in 1995 and completed her residency at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine with a major in Pediatrics in 1998. She is a member of the American Medical Writers Association and the American Medical Writers Association. Children’s Emergency Care Association.
There are 30 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 30,762 times.
A wrist fracture can include fractures of the radial and/or ulnar bones as well as many other bones in the wrist. This is a fairly common injury. [1] X Research Source In fact, the radial bone is the most commonly fractured bone in the arm. One in ten fractures in the United States is a radial fracture. [2] X Research Source You can break your wrist when you fall or hit something. People who are particularly at risk for wrist fractures are athletes who play high-impact sports and people with osteoporosis (thin and fragile bones). When treating a wrist fracture, you may need to wear a splint or cast until the bone heals. Read on to learn some ways to treat a broken wrist.
Steps
Receiving treatment
- Lots of pain and swelling
- Numbness in the wrist, hand or fingers
- Wrists are deformed, bent or crooked
- Open fracture (break with a piece of bone sticking out of the skin)
- Pale fingers
- Once the initial swelling has subsided, you will usually have a plaster cast or fiberglass cast after a few days or a week. [7] X Research Sources
- You may need a second cast in 2-3 weeks if the swelling continues to decrease and the original cast becomes loose. [8] X Research Sources[9] X Research Sources
- Your doctor will usually conduct x-rays during this period to make sure your wrist is healing properly.
- If you don’t need physical therapy with a specialist, your doctor may be able to recommend exercises for you to do at home. Remember to follow your doctor’s instructions so that your wrist can fully recover.
Reduce pain and swelling
- You may also need to keep your wrists elevated while you sleep or throughout the day. Try resting your hand on a stack of pillows.
- Place the ice in a zippered plastic bag. Remember that the ice bag must be sealed to prevent water leakage. Wrap a towel around the ice pack to make sure condensation doesn’t drip onto the dough.
- You can also replace the ice pack with a bag of frozen vegetables. Choose vegetables that are small and even, such as corn or beans. (Of course, you shouldn’t eat it after you’ve used the bag of vegetables to apply it.) [14] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source
- Apply ice pack to wrist for 15-20 minutes, every 2-3 hours. Apply ice for the first 2-3 days or as advised by your doctor. [15] X Research Source
- Store-bought gel ice packs are also very helpful. These ice packs can be frozen and used many times, without melting and leaching into the dough. You can find ice packs at medical equipment stores and pharmacies.
- Ibuprofen is an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug). This class of drugs works to lower fever and reduce swelling by blocking the body’s production of prostaglandins. Other NSAIDs include naproxen sodium and aspirin, but aspirin has a longer anticoagulant effect than other NSAIDs. [18] X Research Sources
- Your doctor may not give you aspirin if you have hemophilia, asthma, anemia, or other medical conditions. Aspirin can interact with many diseases and medications. [19] X Research Source
- When giving pain relievers to young children, be sure to take them with a pediatric formula and use the correct dose for the child’s age and weight. [20] X Research Sources Aspirin is not recommended for children under 18 years of age.
- There is a risk of liver damage when taking acetaminophen, so you should only take it as much as your doctor recommends. [21] X Research Source
- Do not take over-the-counter pain relievers for more than 10 days (for children, 5 days) unless directed by your doctor. If the pain is still there after 10 days, see your doctor. [22] X Research Source
- If you feel pain when moving your elbow or finger, contact your doctor.
- Try lifting the dough or using a hair dryer to blow it on the “low” or “cool” setting. [26] X Research Sources
- Also, don’t sprinkle chalk on the inside of the dough. Anti-itch powder can cause irritation when trapped underneath the powder. [27] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source
- Apply the mpeskin patch to clean, dry skin. Replace the patch with a new one when it becomes dirty or loses its stickiness.
- If the edge of the powder is too rough, you can use a nail file to smooth it out. Do not peel, cut or break the dough.
- Numbness or tingling in the hand or finger
- Cold, pale, or bluish fingers
- Increased pain or swelling after the cast
- Abraded or irritated skin at the edge of the powder
- There are cracks or soft spots on the dough
- Dough is wet, loose or too tight
- The powder has a bad odor or causes persistent itching
Daily activities with cast hands
- Wrap a strong plastic bag (such as a garbage bag) over the powder when showering. Hold the cast arm away from the shower or bath to reduce the risk of water entering the cast.
- Wrap a towel or small towel around the top of the dough to prevent water from getting into the dough.
- You can buy waterproof padding to protect the powder from your doctor’s office or medical device stores.
- Call your doctor if the dough is still wet or soft after you have tried to dry it. You may need to replace the powder with a new one.
- You can move your fingers to help restore blood circulation.
- Choose loose and stretchy clothing. If you wear elastic waist pants or skirts, you won’t have to fumble with buttons or zips.
- Wearing short-sleeved or sleeveless tops is a good idea.
- Using your good hand, gently slide the cast into the sleeve. Try to limit your use of the cast arm.
- Wear a scarf or blanket to stay warm instead of a jacket that is often difficult to put on. A pullover or sleeveless top may be an easier choice than an out jacket.
- Don’t be afraid to ask others for help when needed.
- If you can practice writing with your non-dominant hand, it helps, but it’s also difficult and not a permanent solution.
- If you break your non-dominant hand, use a heavy object like a book or paperweight to hold the page while you write. Try to avoid using your sore hand.
- Do not lift or hold objects with your sore hand. You may get injured again and it will take longer to heal.
- While the law does not prohibit driving with your arm in a cast, you should use your brain to decide whether or not to drive. [35] X Trusted Source American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons Go to Source
- You should also avoid operating other machines – especially machines that require the use of both hands.
Recovery after removing the powder
- The skin in the place where the cast was recently removed may also be dry or flaky. The muscles appear smaller than before the cast, and this is normal. [36] X Research Source
- Soak arm/wrist in warm water for 5-10 minutes. Gently pat dry with a towel. [37] X Research Source
- Apply moisturizer to wrists and arms to soften skin.
- To reduce swelling, you can take ibuprofen or aspirin as recommended by your doctor.
- Be careful not to injure the wrist further. Wearing a splint can help prevent future wrist injuries.
- You may continue to have pain or stiffness in your wrist for months or years after the fracture. [40] X Research Sources[41] X Research Sources
- Your age and overall health also affect recovery. Children and adolescents usually heal faster than adults. Older people and people with osteoporosis or osteoarthritis may not make a quick or complete recovery. [42] X Research Source
Advice
- Try to raise your arm above heart level when you feel severe pain. This position will help blood and fluid flow back to the heart, reducing pain and swelling a little.
- Try to keep your arms elevated while you sleep. Lie on your back and place a pillow under your wrists.
- If you need to fly with a cast, you should check with the airline. You may not be able to fly for 24-48 hours after the cast. [43] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source
- You can write by hand in a cast. Use a marker to avoid getting ink on clothes or paper. [44] X Research Source
- If you have trouble opening the bottle cap, you can clamp the bottle between your thighs/knees and use your good hand to open the cap.
Warning
- Seek medical attention for a broken wrist. You can have serious complications if not treated properly.
This article was co-written by Laura Marusinec, MD. Marusinec is a licensed pediatrician at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, and she is a member of the Clinical Practice Council. She received her PhD from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine in 1995 and completed her residency at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine with a major in Pediatrics in 1998. She is a member of the American Medical Writers Association and the American Medical Writers Association. Children’s Emergency Care Association.
There are 30 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 30,762 times.
A wrist fracture can include fractures of the radial and/or ulnar bones as well as many other bones in the wrist. This is a fairly common injury. [1] X Research Source In fact, the radial bone is the most commonly fractured bone in the arm. One in ten fractures in the United States is a radial fracture. [2] X Research Source You can break your wrist when you fall or hit something. People who are particularly at risk for wrist fractures are athletes who play high-impact sports and people with osteoporosis (thin and fragile bones). When treating a wrist fracture, you may need to wear a splint or cast until the bone heals. Read on to learn some ways to treat a broken wrist.
Thank you for reading this post How to Treat a Wrist Fracture at Tnhelearning.edu.vn You can comment, see more related articles below and hope to help you with interesting information.
Related Search: