How long does it take for the radius bone to heal?
Fractures of the distal radius usually need about 4-6 weeks for clinical bone healing, though sometimes it can take longer. It may take another 6-12 months to regain motion, strength, and function. Many people find they are resuming most of their daily activities about 3-4 months after a broken wrist.
How painful is a broken radius?
Immediate sharp pain after the accident takes place. Sometimes the fracture may be accompanied by the sound or the sensation of a bone breaking. You may experience abnormal swelling and tenderness in the wrist immediately that only worsens. A numbness that doesn’t allow you to move your fingers or hand.
Does a radius fracture need surgery?
Distal radius fractures may be treated effectively by wearing a supportive cast or splint. For severe distal radius fractures, surgery may be necessary. Distal radius fracture repair with volar plate is a surgical procedure that uses metal implants, or plates, to help stabilize fractures in the radius near the wrist.
How long does a radius buckle fracture take to heal?
A buckle fracture of the distal radius is a partial break of the bone and is the most common fracture in children. Almost all children recover very well within four weeks with the aid of a removable splint for pain control and protection.
How is a radius fracture treated?
If the distal radius fracture is in a good position, a splint or cast is applied. It often serves as a final treatment until the bone heals. Usually a cast will remain on for up to six weeks. Then you will be given a removable wrist splint to wear for comfort and support.
What happens if you fracture your radius?
When you have a distal radius fracture, you will almost always have a history of a fall or some other kind of trauma. You will usually have pain and swelling in the forearm or wrist. You may have a deformity in the shape of the wrist if the fracture is bad enough.
Can you drive with a broken wrist?
At this time, there are no distinct rules regarding exact timeframes or circumstances for clearing patients to return to driving after a wrist fracture. Many people will be advised not to drive until the cast is removed and until you are able to use your hand comfortably for other daily functional activities.
Does a torus fracture need a cast?
Stable fractures such as a buckle or torus fracture can generally be treated in a splint or cast for 3 to 4 weeks. If the bones are angled, the doctor may need to reset the bones to get a better alignment and then put a cast on to hold the bones in place while they heal.
Does a Greenstick fracture need a cast?
Greenstick fractures have a high risk of breaking completely through the bone, so most of these types of fractures are immobilized in a cast during healing. On occasion, your doctor may decide that a removable splint could work just as well, particularly if the break is mostly healed.
How long does it take for distal radius fracture to heal?
Fracture reduction is performed under local anesthesia, which means only the painful area is numbed. If the distal radius fracture is in a good position, a splint or cast is applied. It often serves as a final treatment until the bone heals. Usually a cast will remain on for up to six weeks.
What kind of cast should I get for a wrist fracture?
After the swelling has subsided, a short arm cast, long arm cast or fracture brace is usually recommended. If your surgeon decides that the fragments can be manipulated (or moved) into alignment without surgery, then a closed reduction will be performed.
What to do with a broken arm after cast?
After removal of the cast, you will start physical therapy with specific exercises to regain full range of motion of your elbow and wrist and rotation of the forearm. Your doctor will increasingly allow you to lift weights according to how your fracture is healing.
Where does the radius bone start and end?
The radius bone is a bone that starts from the elbow and extends all the way down to the wrist. Like every other bone, this one is also prone to breaking. Some of the most common fractures of it are fractures of the radial head. The radial head is the part of the radius bone located at the very top of it, right below the elbow.