Wrist Fractures: When Is Surgery Required?

Submitted By Dale S. Snead M.D.
03.15.2011

A broken wrist is one of the most common broken bones. In fact, according to statistics one in six fractures treated in the emergency room are wrist fractures.

Typically a person can identify a wrist fracture if they feel wrist pain, have swelling of the wrist or if their wrist appears to look deformed. If this occurs then immediate medical attention is required.

At the emergency room, a doctor will perform x-rays to confirm if a fracture has occurred and to determine the position of the fracture and to assess the stability of the bone fragments. Commonly a broken wrist is treated in a cast or a splint. However, in some situations surgery may be required. An orthopedic surgeon considers the following factors when determining if a patient requires surgery for a broken wrist:

• Age and physical demands of the patient: If a patient is young and active, a physician may choose to perform surgery to ensure that they do not suffer future complications. However, if a patient is older or doesn’t require heavy demands of the wrist, perfect restoration of the wrist bones may not be necessary.

• Location of the fracture: If a fracture involves the joint of the wrist surgery may be necessary to restore the surface of the joint. This is vital in terms of wrist function.

• Displacement of the fracture: If the bones are severely misaligned, then surgery may be performed to properly position the bone fragments. Typically repositioning is done without surgery but in situations where muscles or tendons may become entrapped and block the resetting, surgery may be required. Surgery may also be required if a fracture does not stay in position with a cast or splint.

As I mentioned, surgery is not usually necessary to treat a broken wrist but it may be considered in some situations, during the first two weeks of a fracture. If surgery is performed, there are several treatment options available. Your orthopedic hand specialists will discuss these options with you and help you determine the best course of treatment for your individual situation.

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