Which wrist fracture is the most serious?

Scaphoid fractures usually cause pain and swelling in the anatomic snuffbox and on the thumb side of the wrist. The pain may be severe when you move your thumb or wrist, or when you try to pinch or grasp something. Unless your wrist is deformed, it might not be obvious that your scaphoid bone is broken.

Is the radius or ulna more commonly broken?

In fact, the radius is the most commonly broken bone in the arm. The break usually happens when you fall and land on your outstretched hands. It can also happen in a car accident, a bike accident, a skiing accident, and similar situations. Sometimes, the other forearm bone (the ulna) is also broken.

How long does it take to recover from a broken radius and ulna?

They take an average of 3-6 months to completely heal. By six weeks, patients are extremely comfortable and usually are released to full activities such as manual labor, skiing and motocross by three to four months.

How bad is a distal radius fracture?

While bone wrist fractures are more severe than others, the most common sign of a break in the distal radius is intense pain. A broken wrist is also characterized by swelling. In some cases, the swelling can get so bad that is becomes difficult or nearly impossible to move the injured hand or wrist.

Where is the most likely point of fracture on the ulna?

Ulnar fractures commonly occur along the proximal third of the ulna, often in association with radial injuries, as in the Monteggia pattern described later in this chapter. The coronoid process of the ulna can be fractured during a forceful landing on an outstretched arm (Figures 14-48 and 14-49).

What happens when you break your ulna and radius?

The first sensation felt when the radius and ulna are fractured is immediate and intense pain in the forearm. When you look at the forearm there may be an obvious bump or deformity caused by the displacement of the bones. Other symptoms may include: reduced range of movement.

Which is the most famous fracture of the radius?

One of the most common distal radius fractures is a Colles fracture, in which the broken fragment of the radius tilts upward. This fracture was first described in 1814 by an Irish surgeon and anatomist, Abraham Colles — hence the name “Colles” fracture.

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.

Which is more lateral radius or ulna?

It extends from the lateral side of the elbow to the thumb side of the wrist and runs parallel to the ulna. The ulna is usually slightly longer than the radius, but the radius is thicker. Therefore the radius is considered to be the larger of the two….Radius (bone)

What is the most common type of distal radius fracture?

What causes ulna and radius fractures in the forearm?

Ulna and Radius Fractures: What You Need to Know. The forearm is made up of two bones, the ulna and the radius. A forearm fracture can occur in one or both of the forearm bones. Some of the causes include falls on the forearm or outstretched arm and direct impact from an object to the forearm.

How common are distal radius fractures in the arm?

Distal radius fractures are very common. In fact, the radius is the most commonly broken bone in the arm. Treatment depends on many factors, such as the nature of the fracture, your age, and your activity level. Distal Radius Fractures (Broken Wrist) – OrthoInfo – AAOS from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

What causes radial shaft fractures of the wrist?

More commonly, fractures of the radial shaft are associated with injury to the ulna (see ‘both bones forearm fracture’ below) or injury to one of the joints around the wrist (Galeazzi fracture).

What are the different types of forearm fractures?

What are the different types of forearm fractures? Forearm fractures can occur as a single (radius or ulna only) or combined (both bones) fracture. When both bones are fractured at different levels and there is a joint injury at the wrist or elbow, these are described as Galeazzi or Monteggia fractures: