November 11, 2019 at 9:49 pm · drsahai · 0 comments

Wrist Fractures We Bet You Haven’t Heard Of

Wrist fractures are one of the most common fractures. However, the most common break is in the radius bone. These breaks, or distal radius fractures, are so typical that they are synonymous with the term broken wrist. However, the radius is not the only bone in the area as your wrist consists of several small bones. As a matter of fact, a broken wrist can occur when any of these many bones are fractured.

Fractures or breaks, other than a distal radius fracture, are more uncommon. However, it’s still important to know the difference.

Uncommon Wrist Fractures:

Barton Fracture:

A barton fracture is a distal radius fracture combined with a dislocated radiocarpal joint between the wrist and forearm. These fractures are treated in the same way as a distal radius fracture and will likely need surgery. However, barton fractures treatment does not include a closed reduction.

Chauffer Fracture:

Also known as a radial styloid fracture, a chauffer fracture occurs in the bone closest to the base of the thumb. Your radial stylus is the bulge at the end of the radius bone, and it can break when hit directly. This fracture got its name because a wrist strike from your hand on a crank on early cars was a common cause of this fracture.

Scaphoid Fracture: 

There are two rows of small bones in each wrist, known as carpals. The scaphoid carpal bone is the most commonly fractured of these small bones, and the scaphoid fractures are the most common after distal radius fractures. These small fractures, however, are hard to identify. So, prompt diagnosis is best for effective treatment.

Ulnar Carpal Fractures:

Your ulna bone runs parallel to the radius, and like the radius, this bone also has a bulge at the end called a styloid. The ulnar styloid is visible at the back of the wrist, and damage here is usually the result of a fall. When the fracture is at the top of the styloid, you may not need treatment. But if it is near the base of the styloid, you run the risk of destabilizing the distal radioulnar joint between the two forearm bones. Surgery is necessary to correct a fracture at this point. 

The eight carpal bones in your wrist can develop other types of fractures that may not be as common as listed above. Other carpal fractures that can occur, such as:

Triquetrum fracture:

This small bone is on the pinky side of the wrist near your ulnar styloid. And it can be injured if you fall and land on that side of your hand.

Trapezium fracture:

This bone sits at the base of your index finger and can become fractured if you jam or dislocate your index finger.

Lunate fractures: 

The lunate bone sits above the radius, and injuries occur during falls. If left untreated, this fracture can develop into osteonecrosis of the lunate or Keinbock disease.

Hamate or hook fractures:

These occur in the hamate carpal bone and are very rare. You most often see this injury in golfers or baseball players when clubs or bats hit the wrist. 

There may be several different wrist fractures, but they are all caused the same way. Falling onto an outstretched hand causes a break or fracture because putting our hands out is the most natural response to falling. Any pain in the wrist or limited movement after a fall should be discussed with your doctor right away. If there is a wrist fracture, you want to get treatment sooner rather than later, so your wrist can heal properly.

If you suspect you’ve had a wrist fracture, call us immediately at 888-409-8006 for a wrist specialist near you.

Tags: wrist pain Categories: Tips, Wrist