Hand and Wrist Fractures
Hand and wrist fractures are common injuries in children. They often occur when a child:
- falls onto their hand.
- tries to catch themselves during a fall.
- plays in sports activities.
- suffers a direct impact to their hand or wrist.
Many hand and wrist fractures heal well without surgery because a child’s bones are still growing.
Common hand and wrist fractures include:
- Wrist fractures of forearm bones near the wrist (radius or ulna bones).
- Fractures of the hand bones (metacarpals).
- Finger fractures (phalanges).
- Growth plate fractures that occur near the ends of growing bones.
Typical treatment may include:
- A splint, cast, or brace to protect the fracture while it heals.
- Follow up X-rays to check healing and make sure the bones stay aligned.
- Limits on activities until the bone heals.
More treatment may be needed when:
- The fracture is displaced (bones have shifted out of position).
- The fracture involves a joint or growth plate.
- Multiple bone fragments are present.
In these cases, treatment may include:
- Closed reduction: Puts the bone back in place without surgery.
- Surgery: To fix the bone with pins, screws, or plates when needed.
Recovery and follow up:
- Most hand and wrist fractures heal within several weeks.
- Some stiffness is common after a cast or splint is removed. This improves with normal use.
- Growth plate injuries may need more follow up to make sure the bone grows normally.