Wrist Fracture – Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment

Last updated: February 7, 2026Reviewed date: February 7, 2026Reading time: 3 min read

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This article explains Causes in simple medical language.
This article explains Symptoms in simple medical language.
This article explains Diagnosis in simple medical language.
This article explains Treatment in simple medical language.

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A wrist fracture or Distal Radius Fracture is a medical term used to denote a broken wrist. The human wrist comprises 8 small bones which are together joined with the two bones of the forearm, the ulna, and radius. A breakage or crack in any of these ten bones is referred to as a wrist fracture. Most wrist fractures involve the breaking of the radius bone and are termed the Distal Radius Fracture. Fractures increase the risk of pain and stiffness. সহজ বাংলা: বয়স/ক্ষয়ের কারণে জয়েন্টের ব্যথা।" data-rx-term="osteoarthritis" data-rx-definition="Osteoarthritis is wear-and-tear joint disease causing pain and stiffness. সহজ বাংলা: বয়স/ক্ষয়ের কারণে জয়েন্টের ব্যথা।">Osteoarthritis in the affected joint if not treated properly.

Causes

A direct fall on an outstretched hand
Physical combat
Automobile accident
Sports-related injuries
Weak bone structure due to calcium deficit diet
fracture risk. সহজ বাংলা: হাড় দুর্বল হয়ে ভাঙার ঝুঁকি বেশি।" data-rx-term="osteoporosis" data-rx-definition="Osteoporosis means weak, fragile bones with higher fracture risk. সহজ বাংলা: হাড় দুর্বল হয়ে ভাঙার ঝুঁকি বেশি।">Osteoporosis

Symptoms

Severe pain
Visible deformity
Bruising and redness
Swelling and pain when an area is touched or pressed. সহজ বাংলা: চাপ দিলে ব্যথা।" data-rx-term="tenderness" data-rx-definition="Tenderness means pain when an area is touched or pressed. সহজ বাংলা: চাপ দিলে ব্যথা।">tenderness in the arm and wrist
Inability to move the hand or loss of function
A piece of bone may protrude out of the skin
The hand and fingers may go numb or turn white
Stiffness

Diagnosis

The orthopedic doctor may ask questions about the cause of injury
Evaluation of the patient’s medical history and previous injuries, if any
Thorough physical examination of the injured hand
X-ray imaging may be done to assess bone damage
MRI scan may help to detect minute fractures and ligament tears
CT scans show damage to nerves, blood vessels, and soft tissues

Treatment

The doctor may recommend supporting the injured wrist with a splint
Applying ice packs for a few days following the injury
infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation, pain, or swelling. সহজ বাংলা: প্রদাহ/ফোলা/ব্যথা কমায়।" data-rx-term="anti-inflammatory" data-rx-definition="Anti-inflammatory means reducing inflammation, pain, or swelling. সহজ বাংলা: প্রদাহ/ফোলা/ব্যথা কমায়।">Anti-inflammatory medications may be prescribed by the doctor
Taking rest and avoiding strenuous activities that may aggravate pain
Fracture reduction- The doctor may manually put the displaced and broken pieces of bones together. The patient is generally given a local anesthetic before the treatment
The patient may be advised to undergo physical therapy for a couple of months after removing the cast to restore joint function
Surgical fixation in case of compound fracture may be done by implanting screws, rods, and plates
External fixation- The surgeon may immobilize the broken joint by holding it between two metal plates and passing a rod across the bone

diagnosis: Differential diagnosis is a list of possible conditions that may explain symptoms. সহজ বাংলা: একই লক্ষণের সম্ভাব্য রোগের তালিকা।" data-rx-term="differential diagnosis" data-rx-definition="Differential diagnosis is a list of possible conditions that may explain symptoms. সহজ বাংলা: একই লক্ষণের সম্ভাব্য রোগের তালিকা।">Differential Diagnosis

Distal Radius Fractures

Barton’s Fracture
Chauffer’s Fracture
Colles’ Fracture
Die-Punch Fracture
Radial Styloid Fracture
Smith’s Fracture

diagnosis: Differential diagnosis is a list of possible conditions that may explain symptoms. সহজ বাংলা: একই লক্ষণের সম্ভাব্য রোগের তালিকা।" data-rx-term="differential diagnosis" data-rx-definition="Differential diagnosis is a list of possible conditions that may explain symptoms. সহজ বাংলা: একই লক্ষণের সম্ভাব্য রোগের তালিকা।">Differential Diagnosis Wrist Pain

Fractures
- Distal Radius Fracture
  - Barton’s Fracture
  - Chauffer’s Fracture
  - Colles’ Fracture
  - Die-Punch Fracture
  - Radial Styloid Fracture
  - Smith’s Fracture
- Distal Ulna Fracture
- Carpal Fractures
  - Scaphoid Fracture
  - Lunate Fracture
  - Triquetrum Fracture
  - Pisiform Fracture
  - Trapezium Fracture
  - Trapezoid Fracture
  - Capitate Fracture
  - Hamate Fracture
- Essex Lopresti Fracture
Dislocations
- Carpometacarpal Joint Dislocation
- Distal Radioulnar Joint Dislocation
- Lunate Dislocation
- Perilunate Dislocation
Instability & Degenerative
- Scapholunate Instability
- Lunotriquetral Instability
- Scaphoid Nonunion Advanced Collapse
- Distal Radial Ulnar Joint Instability
- Kienbocks Disease
Tendinopathies & Ligaments
- De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
- Intersection Syndrome
- TFCC Injury
- Wrist Tendinopathies
- Extensor Carpi Ulnaris Instability
Neuropathies
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Pronator Teres Syndrome
- Anterior Interosseus Nerve Syndrome
- Posterior Interosseus Nerve Syndrome
- Guyon Canal Syndrome
Pediatric Considerations
- Distal Radial Epiphysitis (Gymnast’s Wrist)
- Torus Fracture
Arthropathies
- Wrist Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
Cartilage
- Osteochondral Defect
Vascular
- Hypothenar Hammer Syndrome
Other
- Ganglion Cyst of Wrist
- Ulnar Impingement Syndrome
- Infectious Tenosynovitis

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