Fracture of the wrist joint
The triangular, lunate, and scaphoid bones form a bony joint called the wrist joint. It connects the forearm and hand. In most cases, injuries to the wrist joint damage the scaphoid and lunate bones. Fractures in this area are common, accounting for one fifth of all skeletal fractures.
Injuries to the distal radial bone are dangerous, as they can cause deformation of the wrist joint due to improper fusion. As a result, its instability is observed, the load on the ligamentous apparatus is unevenly distributed. After improper fusion of bones or lack of timely treatment of a fracture, the patient may experience pain when lifting weights, the hand becomes weak, the volume of movements performed by the wrist joint decreases, and arthrosis often appears.
In old age, fractures of the wrist joint are more common. This is due to the fact that over time, the bone tissue weakens, the skeleton becomes fragile and any careless movement can cause damage. In women, the risk of wrist fracture increases with the onset of menopause. At this moment, the hormonal background changes significantly, there is a lack of calcium, which contributes to the weakening of bones. Men are less prone to fractures of the wrist joint. After all, their bones are larger and stronger, and hormonal changes with age are not as significant as in women.
Content:
- Causes of a fracture of the wrist joint
- Symptoms of a fracture of the wrist joint
- Types of fractures of the wrist joint
- Diagnostics and treatment
- Rehabilitation after a broken arm joint
Causes of a fracture of the wrist joint
The wrist joint is injured as a result of falling on an outstretched arm or with an emphasis on the hand. In the second case, the fracture is accompanied by the displacement of the fragment. When a person falls, they instinctively put their hands forward to protect the front of the body and face from impact, and bones are damaged from the increased load of the entire body weight.
Osteoporosis is another common cause of wrist fractures. This systemic skeletal disease causes a decrease in bone density and an increase in bone fragility. Osteoporosis mainly affects elderly patients, so the risk of injury to the wrist joint increases after 60 years. However, a fracture may also occur at a young age from a car accident, fall from a height, or direct injury.
Symptoms of a fracture of the wrist joint
The main symptom of a fracture of the wrist joint is severe pain in this area. During palpation or when trying to make a movement, it becomes more noticeable. After some time, edema forms in the wrist area. Its main functions become impossible.
Outwardly noticeable deformation in the wrist area. It can have a different appearance depending on the type of fracture. In most cases, the deformation shape is bayonet-like and fork-like. The patient may feel numbness and tingling in the hand. With an open fracture of the wrist joint, hemorrhage is possible. Another symptom of injury is the crunching of bone fragments.
Types of fractures of the wrist joint
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Kolles Fracture. It always falls on a "typical place", that is, the radius is damaged a few centimeters higher from its distal end. The cause of such an injury is a fall on straight arms or when struck with open palms, which is why the fracture is called extensor. The bone fragments move away from the palm. This makes it possible to diagnose Kolles's fracture by appearance and radiography. Healing in this case occurs quickly due to the good blood supply to the lower part of the radius.
- Smith's fracture. It is known as the Colles Reverse Fracture. This injury is much less common, and it is caused by a fall on the back, accompanied by a direct blow to the forearm. Fragments of the radius with a Smith fracture are displaced forward towards the palm.
In addition to these basic types, fractures of the wrist joint can be of the open and comminuted type. In the first case, the skin is injured. This type of fracture is dangerous by infection through an open wound, so you should immediately seek help from the hospital. The comminuted type of fracture of the wrist joint differs in that the bone is damaged in several places, as a result of which it is broken into 3 or more parts.
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Diagnostics and treatment
The fracture has symptoms similar to sprains, dislocations, or bruises. Therefore, only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis. You should contact a traumatologist immediately after injury to rule out the presence of a fracture. Delay in the presence of serious damage can lead to complications.
Radiography can determine the presence of a fracture of the wrist joint. In some cases, computed tomography is also required. This procedure is necessary for intra-articular fractures or after surgical treatment.
If the fracture of the wrist joint occurred without displacement, then the imposition of a dense plaster or polymer bandage is sufficient. It can be removed after the bones are completely fused. If during the fracture there was a displacement and fragments formed, then it is necessary to return them to their original place, and then fix them. Otherwise, arthrosis may develop, and hand movements will be limited.
The cast is removed after a few weeks. During this time, on the recommendation of a doctor, control radiographs are performed. This is necessary in order to determine in time the presence of repeated displacement. Sometimes surgical intervention is required to eliminate it. It can be closed or open. For open fractures of the radius, special external fixation devices are used.
After applying a plaster cast, the patient may experience aching pains. The application of cold will help get rid of them. For severe pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used. While wearing the cast, it is important to ensure that it does not put pressure on the hand. Lack of sensitivity of the hand, pallor and numbness of the fingers - a reason to see a doctor.
Rehabilitation after a broken arm joint
After the plaster structure is removed, the victim must undergo a course of intensive rehabilitation procedures. But it is recommended to start self-rehabilitation, starting from the second day, after receiving a fracture.
To get started, you just need to move your fingers and shoulder joint as much as possible. After two weeks, you can try to clench the hand into a fist, but so as not to strain the muscles located under the cast. Also, the patient will need to attend magnetotherapy sessions.
When the gypsum is removed, the physiotherapy procedures significantly expand, they include: electrophoresis, UHF, ozokerite, salt baths, therapeutic mud wrapping. In addition, a set of physical procedures is shown, which the doctor recommends individually in each case.
It is difficult to predict the success or failure of treatment, since the elbow joint is a rather complex mechanism. The nature of the injury also affects the rate of recovery. But in any case, the implementation of all recommendations gives a great guarantee that the recovery will be successful and in the future the resulting injury will not result in such problems as arthrosis and the development of contracture.
Author of the article: Kaplan Alexander Sergeevich | Orthopedist
Education: diploma in the specialty "General Medicine" received in 2009 at the Medical Academy. I. M. Sechenov. In 2012 completed postgraduate studies in Traumatology and Orthopedics at the City Clinical Hospital named after Botkin at the Department of Traumatology, Orthopedics and Disaster Surgery.
