Atlanta Bone and Joint Specialists
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    • Maurice Jové, M.D.
    • Nathan Jové, M.D.
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  • Español
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  • Home
  • Our Doctors
    • Maurice Jové, M.D.
    • Nathan Jové, M.D.
    • Jeff Traub, M.D.
    • Brian Vanderhoof, D.O.
    • Physician Assistants >
      • Omid Midanaky, PA-C
      • Aidan O'Connor, MPH, PA-C
      • Elissa Ricker, PA-C
  • Locations
  • Appointments
    • Online Scheduling
    • Forms
    • Referrals
    • Independent Medical Examination
    • Telemedince and E-Visits >
      • E-Visit Scheduler
    • Saturday Clinic
    • What To Expect
    • Medical Tourism
  • Our Office
    • About Us
    • Social Media >
      • Facebook
      • Instagram
      • LinkedIN
      • Twitter
      • YouTube
    • Orthopedic Expert Witness
    • Conditions Treated
    • Payments
    • Bracing
    • Office Staff >
      • Office Manager >
        • Brian Pallone
      • Front Desk & Checkout >
        • Decatur
        • Loganville >
          • Meagan
        • Snellville >
          • Cheryl
      • Billing & Collections >
        • Maurice Jové, M.D. >
          • Buffie
        • Nathan Jové, M.D. >
          • Mayra
          • Makenzie
        • Jeff Traub, M.D. >
          • Jennifer
          • Liz
      • Scheduling >
        • Jeff Traub, M.D. >
          • Andrea
        • Maurice Jové, M.D. >
          • Rachael
        • Nathan Jové, M.D. >
          • Lindsay
        • Brian Vanderhoof, D.O. >
          • Megan
      • Radiology >
        • David
        • Rebecca
        • Carla
        • Oscar
      • Medical Records >
        • Team
    • Insurance
    • MRI
    • Medical Records >
      • Decatur
      • Loganville
      • Snellville
    • Prescription Refill Request >
      • Decatur
      • Loganville
    • Reviews
    • Affiliate Hospital Resources >
      • Emory Decatur Hospital
    • Marketing Internship
    • Job Opportunities
  • Patient Education
    • Coronavirus Update Page
    • What is an Orthopedic Doctor
    • Joint Replacement Center >
      • Arthritis Center >
        • Arthritis 101
      • Hip >
        • Anterior Hip Replacement
        • Total Hip Replacement
      • Knee >
        • Total Knee Replacement
        • Anterior Reference Knee Replacement
        • Knee Replacement Surgery Recovery
        • Partial Knee Replacement
        • Patellofemoral Replacement
        • Tourniquet-less Knee Replacement
      • Shoulder >
        • Total Shoulder Replacement
        • Reverse Total Shoulder Replacement
      • Outpatient Joint Replacement Center
      • Metal Sensitivity and Nickel Allergy
      • Revision Surgery >
        • Revision Knee Replacement
        • Revision Hip Replacement Surgery
        • Metal on Metal Hip Problems
      • Infections >
        • Hip and Knee Replacement Infections
    • Sports Medicine Program >
      • Arthroscopic Surgery
      • Shoulder >
        • Rotator Cuff Tears
        • SLAP Tears
        • Labral Tears
      • Knee >
        • Meniscus Tears
        • ACL Tears
        • Patella (Kneecap) Instability
        • Patella (Kneecap) Dislocation
      • Foot and Ankle >
        • Ankle Sprains and Instability
        • Achilles Tendon Tears
      • Concussions
    • Regenerative Medicine >
      • Stem Cell Therapy
      • Cartilage Restoration
      • PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) Injections
      • Hyaluronic Gel Injections
    • EMG
    • Hip Fracture Center
    • Hand Surgery >
      • Carpal Tunnel Sydnrome
      • Cubittal Tunnel Syndrome
      • Trigger Finger
    • Fracture (Broken Bone) Center >
      • Distal Radius Fracture
      • Ankle Fractures
    • Blood Clots After Orthopedic Surgery
    • Learning Center
    • Home Therapy
    • Video
    • Orthopedic Survey Center >
      • Outpatient Total Joint Replacement Survey
      • Painful Knee Replacement Survey
      • Painful Hip Replacement Survey
      • Rotator Cuff Surgery Survey
      • Meniscus Tear Survey
      • Partial Knee Replacement Survey
    • FAQ
    • How to Prepare and What to Expect Knee Surgery
    • Blog
  • Español
  • Online Scheduling

Broken Wrist
The Distal Radius Fracture

Overview of Wrist (Distal Radius) Fractures

Before we start, lets help clear up some terms. 
By definition, any break in any bone is called a fracture.
Broken Wrist- non-specific term that means that one of the bones around the wrist joint is broken
Fractured Wrist- non-specific term that means one of the bones about the wrist joint is broken
Distal Radius Fracture- when the radius, the larger bone in the forearm, is broken by the wrist joint
Displaced fracture- the bone is not in satisfactory alignment and will not heal well if left as is
Non-displaced fracture- the bone is in good alignment and will likely heal as is, without surgical intervention
Some terms you may hear for these types of breaks are Colles fracture, Barton's fracture, radial styloid fracture, Smith fracture.  All of these terms are specific patterns in which the wrist breaks

Causes

Most distal radius fractures, also known as wrist fractures, are caused by a fall onto an outstretched hand.  As you extend your wrist to prevent your fall, when you land a large force is placed on the wrist causing it to break.  Most wrist fractures occur with a slip and fall while trying to protect themselves. 
A younger pa
A young patient falls onto an outstretched arm leading to a wrist (distal radius) fracture

Who gets wrist fractures?

Most wrist fractures occur in patients older than 50.  Wrist fractures are delineated into low impact and high impact.  Older patients tend to have softer and weaker bone (osteoporosis and osteomalacia) compared to younger patients and therefore are more likely to sustain low impact breaks.  In order to break the bone of a younger person, usually a much higher force is required to lead to a break.
Some terms you may hear for these types of breaks are Colles fracture, Barton's fracture, radial styloid fracture, Smith fracture.  All of these terms are specific patterns in which the wrist breaks

Picture
Image showing where the break is in a wrist fracture. Usually the large bone, the radius, is broken.

Conservative (Non-Operative) Treatment

Most fractures can be treated conservatively with just a cast.  Most conservative (non-operative) treatment will consist of a cast and/or wrist brace for 4-6 weeks, depending on the break.  With more severe breaks, a closed reduction will be attempted.  A closed reduction is where one of our doctors will apply traction and pressure to the break to put it back into normal alignment.  Once adequate alignment is obtained, a cast will be applied to hold the bone into its restored position.
Picture
A cast or splint is used to treat wrist fractures when they do not need surgery.

Surgical Treatment

If the break is too severe and displaced (out of normal position), a surgery may be recommended as part of your treatment.  Surgeries are very succesful and allow earlier and more predictable range of motion early after surgery.   Most commonly, a plate and screws is placed into the broken bone once the normal alignment is obtained during the surgical procedure.
Picture
An X-Ray showing perfect alignment after an open reduction internal fixation surgery on a wrist using a plate and screws.

Rehabilitation of a Broken Wrist

After conservative management or surgical managment, a short course of physical therapy is usually recommended.  In physical therapy, excercises to regain motion and grip strength may be used to help you get your hand function back as quickly as possible.  We tell all patients that the wrist may swell and be painful for up to 6-12 months after the initial break.
Picture
A patient undergoing therapy for a broken wrist. Therapy is a mainstay of treatment after healing begins
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  • Prior blood clot or pulmonary embolus
    • the #1 predictor of having another clot
  • Factor 5 Leiden
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Office Hours

Mon-Fri: 9AM-5PM  


Telephone

Decatur                             404.296.5005
Loganville                         770.564.3393
Snellville                           770.985.9330

High School Football Season Added Coverage Hours

Saturdays During High School Football Season
Injury Clinic is for INJURED PLAYERS ONLY.
Snellville
ONLY.
9AM-10AM

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