What is a midshaft radius fracture?
Midshaft radius and ulna fractures usually occur due to a fall from a height onto the forearm or an outstretched hand or direct blow to the forearm.
What do you do for a radial fracture?
Treatment for a Distal Radius Fracture
- Immobilize the wrist with a splint or brace.
- Elevate the wrist above the level of the heart.
- Use ice therapy for 5 to 10 minutes every hour, which can ease swelling and dull pain signals.
Do radial fractures need surgery?
Distal radius fractures may be treated effectively by wearing a supportive cast or splint. For severe distal radius fractures, surgery may be necessary. Distal radius fracture repair with volar plate is a surgical procedure that uses metal implants, or plates, to help stabilize fractures in the radius near the wrist.
How do you strengthen a broken wrist?
Wrist extensor stretch
- Extend the arm with the affected wrist in front of you and point your fingers toward the floor.
- With your other hand, gently bend your wrist farther until you feel a mild to moderate stretch in your forearm.
- Hold the stretch for at least 15 to 30 seconds.
- Repeat 2 to 4 times.
What type of splint is used for a distal radius fracture?
Use of a short arm radial gutter splint is recommended for initial immobilization of a displaced distal radial fracture.
Which is the best treatment for radial shaft fractures?
Generally the standard of care for radial shaft fractures is open reduction and internal fixation with 3.5mm dynamic compression plating is the treatment of choice.
What to do with a radius and ulnar shaft fracture?
Treatment is generally surgical open reduction and internal fixation with compression plating of both the ulna and radius fractures.
What causes a midshaft radius and ulna fracture?
Midshaft radius and ulna fractures usually occur due to a fall from a height onto the forearm or an outstretched hand or direct blow to the forearm. Examination findings. Examine the forearm, wrist and elbow joint. You may find swelling and possible deformity with tenderness of the forearm.
Do you need an AP X-ray for a midshaft fracture?
For all midshaft forearm injuries, order true AP and lateral x-rays of the forearm including the wrist and elbow (including distal humerus). Note: 5% of forearm fractures are associated with supracondylar fractures. In a true AP x-ray, the distal radius (R) and ulna (U) should be visualized with minimal overlap.