Fracture of the radius

The radius of the hand is a paired bone in the forearm, which is located next to the ulna. A fracture of the radius can be obtained at any time of the year and day, under any circumstances. Often it occurs during an accident, when playing sports or falling off a bicycle or down stairs – especially in older people. The risk of such an injury is very high if you fall on a straight arm.

Another reason that can lead to a fracture is osteoporosis. With this disease, the bones become very fragile, so much so that an injury can be obtained even with a slight blow from the hand.

There are several types of fracture of the radius:

• intra-articular – when the fracture occurs in the wrist composition;
• extra-articular – in this case, the joint is not affected;
• open – when the skin is damaged;
• comminuted – in this case, the bone can be broken into 3 or more parts.

The most dangerous of them is an open fracture, since with this option there is a risk of infection. Such fractures are very difficult to grow together, so you need to contact a traumatologist as soon as possible.

Symptoms of a fracture of the radius

There are three main symptoms:

• severe pain from wrist to elbow;
• edema;
• difficult to move the wrist.

Sometimes hematoma and numbness of the fingers may appear. In case of a fracture of the radius with a displacement, the deformation of the hand will be noticeable, and on palpation – a characteristic crunch of bone fragments.

Treatment of a fracture of the radius

In case of a fracture of the radius, you need to contact a traumatologist as soon as possible. Self-treatment for this injury is unacceptable – with complications, the hand may remain motionless. Even if the pain is not severe, there is no deformity, and it seems to you that it is just a bruise, you still need to see a doctor.

Diagnostics

In most cases, an x-ray helps to determine a fracture of the radius – it is done in two projections. If the fracture is intra-articular and surgery is required, computed tomography (CT) is done – it will provide accurate alignment of the composite surface.

A CT scan is also done after surgery to check if the fracture has healed properly.

Modern treatments

There are several of them and they depend on the type of injury. In addition, the treatment takes into account the age of the patient (in older people, the bones grow together longer) and his activity, for example, it is important for athletes to maintain full mobility of the arm.

• Conservative treatment. If the fracture is simple, there is no displacement, a plaster is applied to the injured arm.

If the fracture is displaced, the first thing the doctor will do is put the pieces back in the correct position—this is called repositioning. After that, the arm will be fixed with a plaster splint in a specific position, which depends on the nature of the fracture. The languette is left for several days, until the swelling subsides. And after that, a plaster cast will be applied – for 4 – 5 weeks.

• Surgery. In some cases, the displacement during a fracture is so strong that it is simply impossible to fix the bones in the correct position with gypsum. In this case, they will be fixed with needles through the skin or with platinum and screws – in this case, an open operation is performed.

After the bones grow together, the doctor prescribes physiotherapy. This can be electrophoresis, UHF, massage, exercise therapy (physiotherapy exercises that will help restore arm mobility) and a special diet aimed at strengthening bones.

Prevention of a fracture of the radius at home

There can be only one advice here – caution and caution again. This is especially true for the elderly. Wear comfortable shoes and take your time to avoid the possibility of a fall.

And of course, you need to eat more foods that strengthen bones. Among them are salmon, sardines, cheese, yogurt, spinach, soy, collards and cereals.

Popular questions and answers

For typical questions about a fracture of the radius, we asked to answer traumatologist-orthopedic doctor Valentyn Panov.