The forearm consists of two bones, the radius and ulna. The radius is the larger of the two forearm bones, and the region towards the wrist is called the distal end. Fractures in this end are most common. The distal radius can be broken in various ways, but generally occurs around 1 inch from the distal end of the wrist.
The most commonly occurring distal radius fracture is the colles fracture, which leads to an upward tilting of the broken radius bone. Other types of distal radius fractures include:. Falling onto an outstretched arm is the most common way to fracture the distal radius.
Other causes include:. The symptoms occurring with distal radius fractures include bruising, swelling, immediate pain and tenderness, and limited mobility. The broken wrist may also appear deformed. Your doctor will diagnose distal radius fractures by ordering an X-ray of the wrist to detect broken or displaced bone.
Your doctor can also view the number of pieces the bone is broken into from the X-ray images. Sometimes, a computer tomography CT scan may be required to get a detailed view of the fractured fragments.
You can protect your wrist with a splint and apply an ice pack while keeping the wrist elevated until the doctor examines it. If the bone is aligned properly even after the fracture, a plaster cast may be enough to allow it to heal on its own. In case the broken bones are misaligned, realignment of the broken fragments may be required.
