All broken bones are considered fractures. For more information, see Overview of Broken Bones.
What is a broken wrist?
Your wrist joint is where the 2 long bones in your forearm meet the 8 small bones at the base of your hand. A break in any of these bones can be considered a broken wrist. But doctors usually say "broken wrist" when you've:
This kind of broken wrist is a very common injury. Breaks in the small wrist bones are less common.
See a doctor right away if you think you have a broken wrist.
What causes the wrist to break?
What are the symptoms of a broken wrist?
How can doctors tell if my wrist is broken?
How do doctors treat a broken wrist?
Doctors will:
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Give you pain medicine
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Move your bones back into place
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Have you wear a cast for several weeks
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Sometimes, do surgery to put your broken bones back together and keep them in place
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Sometimes, use a metal plate or external fixator (a metal frame outside your body with long screws that connect to your bones) so your bones stay in place while they heal
After the broken bone heals, your wrist will be stiff. You'll need to do exercises to loosen it up and get your strength back.
