A wrist fracture, a common injury where one of the wrist bones breaks, often results from a fall onto an outstretched hand. While various types exist, the distal radius, the larger forearm bone, is most frequently affected. Leaving such an injury untreated can lead to serious, long-lasting complications.
Ongoing Discomfort and Limited Movement
An untreated wrist fracture results in persistent pain, swelling, and bruising around the injured area. This discomfort can be severe, worsening with any attempt to grip, squeeze, or move the hand or wrist. Without proper immobilization, broken bone fragments may shift, preventing natural healing and stabilization. This instability leads to continuous weakness, significantly limiting everyday activities. Even simple tasks like writing or buttoning a shirt become challenging due to ongoing pain and reduced range of motion.
Complications with Bone Healing
When a wrist fracture remains untreated, the bone may fail to heal correctly, leading to two primary structural issues: nonunion or malunion. Nonunion occurs when broken bone fragments do not fuse, leaving a permanent gap or creating a false joint. This can happen with inadequate blood supply or displaced fractures. The scaphoid bone is often affected due to its fragile blood supply.
In contrast, malunion describes a situation where the bone heals in an incorrect position or alignment, resulting in a deformity. This improper healing alters the wrist’s normal shape and structure, impacting its biomechanics. A malunion of the distal radius can lead to a visibly different shape compared to the uninjured wrist. Both nonunion and malunion compromise the wrist’s anatomical integrity.
Developing Further Health Issues
An untreated or improperly healed wrist fracture can lead to several long-term medical conditions. Post-traumatic arthritis is a common consequence, developing when altered joint mechanics cause uneven cartilage wear. This type of arthritis can manifest years after the initial injury, resulting in ongoing pain, stiffness, and swelling in the wrist. Fractures extending into the joint, or those that heal incorrectly, increase the risk of developing this condition.
Nerve damage is another serious complication, often involving the median or ulnar nerves. Swelling, bone deformity, or scar tissue can compress these nerves, leading to symptoms like tingling, numbness, weakness, and pain in the hand and fingers. Rare, severe cases can involve vascular compromise, where injured blood vessels potentially affect hand blood flow. Some individuals may also develop Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), a chronic pain condition characterized by severe burning pain, swelling, and changes in skin temperature and color, disproportionate to the initial injury. These issues can result in significant and lasting disability.
Why Treatment is Essential
Professional medical intervention is important for a wrist fracture to prevent severe consequences. Diagnosis involves a physical examination and X-rays to assess the fracture’s location and severity. In some cases, a CT scan or MRI may be used for detailed imaging to identify fractures or associated injuries to ligaments, tendons, muscles, or nerves. The primary goals of treatment are to realign broken bone fragments and immobilize the wrist for proper healing.
Treatment options range from non-surgical methods like casting or splinting to surgical interventions involving pins, screws, plates, or external fixation to hold bones in place. Early and appropriate medical care helps minimize pain and stiffness, reduce the risk of long-term complications, and promote optimal recovery and function. Without timely treatment, the likelihood of developing chronic pain, limited mobility, and other serious health issues significantly increases.