Complications
Since the wrist is a very complicated and often used joint, complications can occur. However, these mainly affect the conservative form of therapy, as there is a risk of a crooked fusion. For this reason, it is also very important in conservative therapy using only plaster fixation to check regularly via X-ray examination whether the fracture is growing together in the correct position.If this is not the case, malpositioning, combined with pain, or even loss of function can be the result.
In addition to the usual complications of surgery, the wrist can be injured, especially nerves or blood vessels. The former are particularly important on the hand, as we depend on particularly good sensory and motor functions in the hand area in our everyday life. Injuries to the nerves can result in numbness, restricted movement and dysfunction.
However, since wrist fracture surgery is now a routine operation, these cases have become relatively rare. Another complication that affects all joint fractures is the development of arthrosis. By definition, osteoarthritis is an unusually high degree of joint wear that exceeds the normal level of age. This can occur after surgery if the joint surfaces are not 100% correctly aligned, as in the case of a hinge that is not well oiled: in the long run, friction causes wear and tear of the joint surfaces, this is called arthrosis.
Pain
Every fracture causes pain because the highly sensitive periosteum, the periosteum, is permeated with many small nerves. Irritation of these nerves, as occurs in a fracture, results in severe pain. Initially, the pain can be treated with NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-rheumatic drugs) such as ibuprofen or paracetamol.
Often the fracture is painful only immediately after the fracture, and then only when the patient moves. On the way to hospital, it is therefore advisable to adopt a relieving posture and exercise as little as possible. During the operations, painkillers are given, mostly opioids such as morphine or fentanyl.
After the operation, the tissue is naturally swollen, as blood and tissue fluid have leaked. The swelling can press on nerve fibers and cause further pain. However, it usually subsides within a week, as excess fluid in the fracture area is then reabsorbed by the body. Until then, painkillers can be taken. In general, no patient must or should feel pain, and if this is the case, he or she has a right to analgesic treatment.
