Introduction
A fracture of the wrist is one of the most common injuries after falls and during sports. The anatomy of the wrist is relatively complicated and therefore difficult to treat depending on the type of fracture. In humans, the wrist is the joint between the ulna, radius and carpal bones (also known as the “proximal wrist”) and the joint between the front and back row of carpal bones (the “distal wrist”).
Proximal stands for “closer to the body”, distal for “further away from the body”. A bone fracture in this area is similarly complicated as the definition. However, with a good 25% of all fractures, the extension fracture after Colles (also Colles fracture) is the most common fracture in humans.
It is a fracture of the proximal wrist between ulna and radius. In addition to this type of fracture, there are a number of other fracture mechanisms that will be discussed in the following. Given the number and complexity of fractures, it is not surprising that hand surgery is a separate field (plastic, hand and reconstructive surgery).
Symptoms
Depending on its severity, a fracture of the wrist can cause various symptoms. In the case of very severe fractures of the proximal wrist, for example after a car accident or a fall from a great height, the fracture can be diagnosed by looking at it alone. The skin may be pierced through the bone, or abnormal mobility in the wrist may occur.
So-called crepitational sounds, i.e. crunching noises during movement, are also a sure sign of a bone fracture. A fracture is also accompanied by pain and swelling in the fractured area. The pain occurs because the fine skin of the bone (medically: periosteum) is very sensitive to pain and is literally torn apart in the event of a fracture.
It contains a particularly large number of nerves that send pain impulses to the brain when irritated. Swelling is caused by lymph fluid and blood leaking into the surrounding tissue. The best way to prevent it is to cool it down immediately. (By the way, immediate cooling is recommended for almost all bruises and fractures!) In addition to pain and swelling, it also leads to restricted movement and a relieving posture.