BROKEN WRIST TREATMENT AVAILABLE IN JACKSON, WY
A broken wrist should be treated as soon as possible to help ensure that the bones heal in proper alignment for a return to full function. Prompt medical attention can also help minimize pain and stiffness. A very common injury (and one of the first signs of osteoarthritis), a broken wrist can result from a fall onto an outstretched hand, which often occurs during participation in sports like snowboarding. If you’ve fallen and injured your wrist, you can receive the treatment you need from an experienced hand, wrist, and upper extremity physician at Teton Orthopaedics in Jackson, Wyoming.
The process of diagnosing a broken wrist generally includes a physical examination and the evaluation of one or more imaging scans, such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans. For instance, a physician at Teton Orthopaedics in Jackson, WY, will typically check for signs of:
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Lost range of motion
- Impaired blood flow
- Nerve damage
- Deformity
An important part of any treatment for a broken wrist is immobilization with a cast or splint to prevent the bones from moving out of place as they heal. The injury will usually be monitored with X-rays throughout the healing period. After the cast or splint is removed, physical therapy is often recommended to help reduce stiffness and restore range of motion to the wrist and hand.
At Teton Orthopaedics, we emphasize conservative treatment whenever possible. Even if the bones are not properly positioned to heal, a physician can sometimes perform a closed reduction to manually reset them without surgery. However, depending on the severity of a break and other factors, a broken wrist may require surgical intervention. For instance, an operation may be necessary in cases involving multiple fractures, unstable fractures, loose bone fragments, ligament damage, or joint damage.
Contact Teton Orthopaedics to schedule a consultation and learn more about treatment options for a broken wrist. We are the largest and longest established orthopaedic practice in the Jackson, WY, area, and no referrals are required to consult with our hand, wrist, and upper extremity specialist.