A radius fracture or a radius fracture is a fracture of the radius, which usually occurs near the wrist. It is one of the most common fractures and, in many cases, is the result of a fall in which the individual tried to catch himself or herself with the hand.
What is a radius fracture?
A radius fracture represents a fracture of the forearm. It involves only one of the two bones of the forearm, which is also called the radius or radius. The radius is located on the inside of the arm and supports the carpal bones as well as the hand. It usually breaks near the wrist and is the result of an accident. Depending on the type of accident, the radius fracture is differentiated into different forms. The distal radius fracture is the most common. It occurs when the affected person falls on the outstretched hand. This form of fracture with a characteristic fracture site is also called an extension fracture or Colles fracture. In rare cases, a distal radius fracture occurs when falling on the flexed hand. Such a form of radius fracture is called a flexion fracture or Smith fracture.
Causes
The typical cause of a radius fracture is a fall on the arm or hand. In most cases, a fracture occurs near the wrist. With a proportion of 90%, a fall occurred on the outstretched palm of the hand. Children and older people in particular suffer from this form of forearm fracture. Various causes are responsible for this. Children fall frequently when playing and are therefore prone to a radius fracture. Older people, on the other hand, have less bone stability, so that falls generally result in fractures more quickly. Osteoporosis, which is common in old age, is also a contributing factor. Other typical age-related diseases can also provoke falls, which thus become the cause of a radius fracture.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
A fracture of the radius is in always associated with very clear and typical symptoms, which the affected person can diagnose very well himself. Immediately after the fracture, there will be severe and prolonged pain that continues even at rest. There is also often severe swelling that can be seen with the naked eye. In addition, a misalignment of the wrist can often be seen with an existing fracture of the radius. Even the smallest movements cause severe pain, so that normal movement is no longer possible. If you consult a doctor immediately at this point, you can quickly eliminate the existing symptoms and complaints. However, if you do not seek medical and drug treatment at this point, you will have to reckon with further complaints and symptoms that may arise as a result. Under certain circumstances, an inflammation is possible, so that an abscess is formed. Pus fluid develops within the facture, which can lead to blood poisoning under certain circumstances. However, if you decide to seek medical treatment at an early stage, you will notice an improvement within a short time. A fracture of the radius is usually associated with painful symptoms that absolutely require medical treatment.
Diagnosis and course
If a radius fracture is suspected, the first step is a visual diagnosis by the physician. The forearm is searched for potential skin injuries and damage to nerves as well as vessels. The doctor also examines the adjacent joints to ensure that any accompanying dislocation is not overlooked. This is followed by an X-ray examination to determine the type of fracture. The wrist is imaged laterally and frontally. In order to determine the optimum form of therapy, it is also diagnosed whether the fracture is a stable fracture or an unstable fracture. The latter form of fracture includes an injury to the ligaments. How the radius fracture develops depends crucially on the extent of the fracture. Thus, in children, the radius fracture usually heals relatively quickly. In older individuals or a complicated form of radius fracture, the healing process may take longer than six months.
Complications
A radius fracture can result in several complications. These may even present themselves during therapy. The most common sequelae of the radius fracture include displacement of the fractured bone fragments.In the process, the fragments sometimes shift due to involuntary muscle tension, even when the patient is wearing a cast. For this reason, regular X-rays are taken for control purposes. If further misalignment is discovered during this process, surgical intervention is usually required to correct it. Subsequent displacements of the radius fracture occur with conservative therapy in about 50 percent of all patients, which is a relatively high proportion. If these displacements occur several times in succession, doctors refer to them as Sudeck’s dystrophy. Its characteristic features include a disturbance of metabolism and blood flow to the bones and soft tissues. In most cases, Sudeck’s dystrophy occurs after surgical interventions, accidents, nerve damage and infections. Women of older age are particularly affected. Another sequelae of the fracture of the radius are lesions on nerves and blood vessels of the affected bone. The same applies to the skin and muscles. Thus, bones and soft tissues can no longer be supplied smoothly, which leads to functional disorders. The complication becomes noticeable through permanent pain during hand movements and skin discoloration. In the late stages, the hand stiffens and sensory disturbances occur. Complications are also possible with surgical treatment of the radius fracture. These include infections, restricted movement, wound healing disorders and tendon injuries.
When should you see a doctor?
If persistent pain is felt in the wrist after a fall, accident or force, a doctor is needed. Characteristic is a sudden strong sensation of pain that occurs immediately after a triggering event. Since there is no spontaneous healing, medical care is needed. In case of swelling, discoloration of the skin as well as open wounds on the wrist, a doctor should be consulted. Circulatory disturbances, a loss of the usual movement possibilities as well as a decrease in the physical resilience of the hand are further signs that must be clarified. In the case of a radius fracture, the usual hand movements such as waving or tilting can no longer be performed. In addition, the gripping function of the hand and fingers can no longer be performed or can only be performed with severe restriction. Numbness on the skin or sensory disturbances are cause for concern. If light touch or a resting position leads to the development of pain, a doctor should be consulted. Consultation with a physician should always be sought before taking pain medication. Sterile wound care is required to prevent pathogens from entering the organism. If pus formation, an abscess or inflammatory reactions of the skin occur, a doctor must be consulted immediately. Otherwise, the affected person is at risk of blood poisoning and thus a life-threatening condition.
Treatment and therapy
The form of treatment for a radial fracture depends on the extent of the fracture. If it is a simple variant, immobilization of the arm with a plaster cast for several weeks is performed. If the X-ray shows a displacement of the bones, the doctor first makes an adjustment and then the arm is put in plaster. If the fracture threatens to shift again or if setting is not possible, surgery is advised. In this procedure, the doctor puts the fractured bones back into their correct position. They must then be stabilized. Different methods are available for this, depending on the radius fracture. There are wire fixation, external fixator, screw fixation and metal plate implantation. Which surgical method is chosen depends on the degree of displacement of the bone fragments and the number of bone fractures in the forearm. Furthermore, whether the stylar process of the radius is broken off is also decisive. Surgery of the forearm is usually followed by the application of a cast. In some circumstances, a fracture of the radius may require a second operation because the pieces of bone sometimes shift unnaturally during the healing process.
Prevention
The most effective way to protect against a radius fracture or fracture of the radius is to avoid falling. Those who practice high-risk sports such as inline skating should not do without adequate protective clothing. Furthermore, it is important to detect any osteoporosis at an early stage.In this way, bone loss can be effectively treated, which also prevents a radius fracture.
Aftercare
Aftercare of the radius fracture takes place both with conservative therapy and surgery. For this purpose, the patient receives a cast for about four to six weeks to immobilize the affected arm. In the case of surgery, immobilization may also take less time. As part of the follow-up care, the plaster cast is changed at regular intervals. The fingers usually remain freely movable within the bandage. Postoperative pain in the wrist is possible following radius fracture surgery. The patient should therefore be hospitalized for about two nights. After about 10 to 14 days, the surgical sutures can usually be removed. After the surgical procedure, the patient is administered thrombosis prophylaxis while in the hospital. Following discharge from the hospital, the administration of the medication can usually be discontinued. Furthermore, it is possible to administer medications that have an analgesic and decongestant effect. Another important part of the aftercare is physiotherapy and occupational therapy rehabilitation. This includes movement exercises for the thumb and fingers. Active mobilization of the shoulder and elbow joints after prolonged immobilization is also useful. At the same time, care is taken to ensure smooth circulation and sensitivity of all fingers. After two to three weeks, the patient can again perform everyday activities. After eight to twelve weeks, sports activities are usually possible.
Here’s what you can do yourself
Even though a fractured radius is common, it should not be treated carelessly. Those affected should immediately see a doctor so that he can treat the fracture professionally. Complicated and severe fractures in particular can lead to functional impairment if they heal poorly. This is especially true if the wrist is involved. A fracture of the radius is not only painful, but can also lead to inflammation, which can result in abscesses and blood poisoning. Therefore, the use of anti-inflammatory painkillers or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is indicated. Here, the doctor will issue appropriate prescriptions. In the case of a radius fracture, the tissue around the fracture site is also injured, which can lead to swelling. This swelling can be cooled by the cast. Medical cooling pads placed on the cast are recommended. If the cooling pads have been stored in the freezer, they should never be placed directly on the skin, as this can cause cold burns. Several weeks may pass before the arm is fully functional again. Patience is required during this time. The affected arm should be immobilized for as long as possible. This promotes healing and significantly reduces the rate of complications. Once the cast has been removed, patients should be sure to perform the physiotherapy prescribed for them. It promotes mobility of the affected arm and helps the fracture heal completely.
