How is distal radius fracture treated?

The distal radius is the end of the forearm bone next to the wrist. A break may cause wrist pain, hand swelling, bruising, reduced movement, or a visible deformity after injury. X-rays usually help show the fracture position; additional assessment checks the skin, blood flow, sensation, and finger movement.

A stable fracture with acceptable alignment may be protected in a splint or cast. If the pieces have shifted, a clinician may recommend closed reduction to restore alignment before immobilisation. The choice depends on the fracture pattern, stability, joint surface, and the person’s needs.

Keep the injured wrist protected as instructed, elevate the hand when swelling is present, and move the fingers unless a clinician has told you not to. Do not lift, push, or remove a cast without guidance. Pain relief should follow advice from a clinician or pharmacist, especially if you have other medical conditions.

Some fractures need fracture fixation surgery using hardware to hold the bone while it heals. After protection is reduced, hand therapy can address wrist and finger stiffness, swelling, grip, and return to daily tasks. Follow-up imaging or examination helps confirm that alignment and healing are progressing.

Seek urgent care after a wrist injury with severe pain, an open wound, a visibly abnormal shape, numb or pale fingers, or inability to move the fingers. Contact the treating service promptly if a cast becomes very tight or wet, swelling rapidly increases, pain escalates, or fingers become cold, blue, or increasingly numb.

Ask whether the fracture is stable, whether it needs reduction or fixation, how long protection is expected, which finger movements are allowed, and when hand therapy should begin. Ask which changes in colour, sensation, swelling, or pain require immediate review.