Distal Radius Fracture : Treatment, classification, Causes, Symptoms
Distal Radius Fracture:-
The forearm of human has two bones, Radius and Ulnar. Radius is the largest bone of forearm. Distal end of the Radius is joined with wrist joint. An injury to wrist joint causes Distal Radius Fracture. Breaking or injury to the distal end of radius is called as Distal Radius Fracture.
Distal Radius Fracture is the common fracture of forearm, is usually associated with wrist joint injury. The wrist joint injury troubles lot an individual affected. Ulnar styloid is the common injury associated with Distal Radius Fracture.
Classification of Distal Radius Fracture:-
* Cooley’s fracture,
* smith’s fracture,
* Barton’s fracture
Causes of Distal Radius Fracture:-
* Fall on an outstretched hand is the common cause
* Moderate to severe force such as a fall from height place
* Motor vehicle accident
* metabolic bone diseases and osteoporosis also increases the risk of wrist fracture.
Symptoms of Distal Radius Fracture:-
* Severe localized pain,
* Lack of mobility,
* Swelling and redness,
* In compound fracture bleeding is present.
* Numbness of hand due to compression of median nerve across the wrist joint.
Diagnosis of Distal Radius Fracture:-
* History collection reveals an injury or fracture,
* Physical examination of wounded site,
* The fracture almost always occurs 1 inch above the end of radius bone.
* X – ray shows the extent of fracture.
* CT – Scan is done in some cases.
Treatment of Distal Radius Fracture:-
Immediate care for mild injuries include application of splint.
Reduction : is done under anaesthesia to affected area.
Plaster cast : is applied to broken bone to make injured part immobile.
Immobilise the forearm to prevent further deformity.
