ORTHOPEDICS/HAND & WRIST/HAND & WRIST CRACKS
Common Crack Kinds before Age 75
The wrist is a combination of two bones (the radius and ulna) in the lower arm, in addition to the small hand bones.
Wrist cracks causes differ between the two sexes.
When in women, the wrist cracks risks increase at menopause (most probably linked to the fast bones in the years that follow menopause), with men the wrist cracks risks still objectively stable.
Commonly wrist cracks happen due to falls because unconsciously a person tends an arm to halt a fall and the hand with the forearm will have to support all the weight and force occurring from the fall; therefore, one of the wrist bones cracks.
Wrist Cracks types
Colles cracks happen when the radius ruptures (the distal radius).
Colles cracks happen frequently with postmenopausal women. The risk for Colles crack seems to be linked to the distal radius bone density
Wrist Cracks Diagnosis
Following a fall, a person may be damaged and painful, the wrist is most probably broken rather than twisted if: pain persists, inflammation appears and finger movement changes.
Typically, an X-ray should be performed to confirm the diagnosis.
Moreover, a wrist crack may also generate a primary problems symptom such as: low bone density, poor balancing, vision and hearing difficulties.
Wrist Cracks/Therapy
The main therapy objective is to give back the normal motion to the affected hand and wrist.
The suitable therapy depends on the rigorousness and the place the crack.
Exercises should be performed to maintain motion, flexibility, and re-gain strength.
Simple crack signify that the broken edges remain close enough together, so that a simple handling may re-align the involved bone.
Complex crack signify that multiple pieces of bone are broken or also that the joint is involved. In this case, a cast only may not be appropriate and surgery should be performed.
It is important performing exercises, (even while in the cast). This will help preventing finger painfulness.
X-ray must be done weekly over three to four weeks to follow the bones repositioning in place.
A wrist support or splint to support and protect the joint may be used to avoid bones removal.
If the break is in the dominant arm, assistance will be required to help performing daily duties, such as dressing, grooming, bathing…
Cracks Wrist/Prevention
If a person is suffering of Osteoporosis (or at high risk of developing this disorder), steps must be performed to maintain bone density at acceptable rate.
Note that an appropriate daily intake calcium and vitamin D, in addition to weight-bearing exercises maintain bone density.