Hand and Wrist Fractures

Restore stability. Regain functionality.

A fracture within the hand or wrist occurs when one or more bones in the hand, wrist, or fingers break due to a fall, direct impact, sports injury, or other trauma. Hand and wrist fractures range from small and stable to more complex breaks that affect bone alignment or joint function. Depending on the location and severity of the fracture, patients may experience pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness, deformity, or difficulty moving the affected hand or wrist. Proper treatment helps the bones heal in the correct position and protects long-term strength, mobility, and function.

Every hand and wrist fracture is unique. Dr. Ryan Constantine carefully evaluates the location, severity, and alignment of the injury to create a treatment plan that matches each patient’s needs. His goal is to restore proper anatomy, promote reliable healing, and help patients return to work/school, recreation, and everyday activities with confidence.

Who Is a Candidate for Treatment?

Treatment may be appropriate if you:

Have been diagnosed with a fracture through an X-ray or other imaging
Have difficulty moving your wrist, fingers, or hand normally, especially after a fall, impact, injury, or other trauma
Are having significant pain, swelling, or bruising after an injury
Notice tenderness, deformity, or a change in the position of a finger, hand, or wrist
Have a fracture that is displaced, unstable, or not healing in proper alignment

Any suspected fracture should be evaluated promptly to determine if treatment is necessary. Early diagnosis and treatment can help the bone heal properly and reduce the risk of lasting stiffness, weakness, deformity, or loss of function.

Benefits of Treatment for Hand and Wrist Fractures

Proper treatment of a hand or wrist fracture is critical for maintaining mobility and functionality. Treatment can:

Restore bone alignment: Position fractured bones correctly to support proper healing
Relieve pain and discomfort: Stabilize the injured area and limit movement at the fracture site so that pain is reduced while healing
Protect hand and wrist function: Preserve motion, grip strength, and dexterity
Prevent long-term problems: Reduce the risk of deformity, stiffness, instability, and other complications associated with improper healing
Support a return to activity: Help patients safely regain the function needed for work, school, exercise, hobbies, and everyday tasks

Common Types of Hand and Wrist Fractures

There are many bones in the fingers, hand, and wrist that can be involved in a hand or wrist fracture. Common injuries include:

Finger Fractures: Breaks involving the phalanges (finger bones) can affect alignment, movement, and grip, particularly when the fracture involves a joint.
Metacarpal Fractures: These fractures affect the long bones of the hand between the wrist and fingers. One common example is a boxer’s fracture, which typically involves the metacarpal leading to the little finger.
Scaphoid Fractures: The scaphoid is a small carpal bone located near the base of the thumb. These fractures commonly result from a fall onto an outstretched hand and may sometimes be difficult to identify immediately.
Distal Radius Fractures: These occur when the radius (one of the two forearm bones) breaks near the wrist, commonly after a fall onto an outstretched hand.
Other Wrist Fractures: Fractures can also affect other carpal bones or portions of the forearm bones that contribute to the wrist joint.

The appropriate treatment depends on the specific bone(s) involved as well as the fracture’s location, alignment, stability, and severity.

Treatment Options

Treatment for hand and wrist fractures varies widely depending on which bone is injured, the type and severity of the fracture, and whether the bones remain properly aligned. Options include:

Splinting or Casting: Stable fractures that remain in good alignment can often heal on their own. A splint, cast, or brace protects the injured area and holds the bones in their proper position while they heal.
Closed Reduction: If the broken bones have shifted out of position, the doctor may carefully realign them (without surgery) by pulling, pushing, or guiding the bones from outside the body back into place. The hand or wrist is then immobilized with a rigid splint or cast to maintain the corrected position during healing.
Physical or Hand Therapy: When appropriate, guided exercises may be introduced during recovery to restore range of motion, strength, and function while minimizing stiffness.
Surgery: Fractures that are significantly displaced, unstable, involve the wrist joint, break through the skin, or cannot be maintained in proper alignment with non-surgical treatments often require surgical intervention. During surgery, the bones are repositioned and stabilized to help them to heal correctly.

Splinting, closed reduction, and surgery (when necessary) are usually performed as soon as possible after the fracture is diagnosed to ensure proper healing.

Request a Consultation with Dr. Constantine

Surgical Techniques

When surgery is necessary, the specific approach depends on the location and complexity of the fracture. Techniques may include:

Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF): An incision is made to directly access and realign the fractured bones. Plates and screws may then be used to maintain proper alignment while the fracture heals.
Pin or Wire Fixation: Certain fractures of the fingers, hand, or wrist can be stabilized with small pins or wires that hold the bone fragments in the proper position during healing.
External Fixation: For some complex or severe fractures, a stabilizing frame outside the body may be used to maintain bone alignment while the fracture and surrounding tissues heal.

Dr. Constantine will recommend the technique that best matches the location and severity of your fracture while prioritizing proper healing and restoration of hand and wrist function.

Recovery and Healing

Recovery after a hand or wrist fracture varies based on the bone(s) involved, severity of the injury, and type of treatment. In general, here is what patients can expect:

First few weeks

The injured hand or wrist is typically protected with a cast, splint, brace, or other form of stabilization. Swelling, soreness, and stiffness gradually improve as healing begins.
Three to six weeks

Many fractures show significant healing. Depending on the injury, gentle range-of-motion exercises (physical therapy) may begin to prevent stiffness and restore mobility. Some simple, stable fractures may heal sufficiently to have the cast or splint removed during this time.
Six to 12 weeks

Most fractures no longer need immobilization, and patients may gradually increase hand and wrist use and begin strengthening exercises as cleared.
Several months

Strength, flexibility, and full function continue to improve. More complex fractures or injuries requiring surgery may take longer to fully recover.

Dr. Constantine provides detailed instructions and follow-up care throughout recovery. Physical or hand therapy may be recommended to restore strength, flexibility, dexterity, and full function.

Hand and Wrist Fracture FAQs

How do I know if my hand or wrist is broken?

A fractured hand or wrist may cause pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness, difficulty with movement, or visible deformity. However, not every fracture causes obvious symptoms, and some injuries can be mistaken for a sprain. If you have a suspected fracture, especially after a fall, direct impact, sports injury, or related trauma, you should get it promptly evaluated. X-rays are commonly used to confirm a fracture and determine its location and severity.

How do I know if I need surgery?

Many stable fractures can heal successfully with a splint, brace, or cast. Surgery may be recommended when a fracture is significantly displaced, unstable, involves certain joint surfaces, breaks through the skin, or cannot be maintained in proper alignment with non-surgical treatment.

What is the difference between a closed reduction and open reduction (ORIF)?

A closed reduction realigns fractured bones without making a surgical incision. Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) involves surgically accessing and repositioning the bones before securing them with hardware such as plates and screws. In both cases, the injury is usually stabilized afterward with a cast or splint to guide healing.

Will I need physical therapy after a hand or wrist fracture?

It depends on the fracture and treatment. Immobilization can lead to stiffness and weakness, so physical or hand therapy may be recommended as healing progresses. Guided exercises can help restore range of motion, strength, grip, and dexterity.

How long does a hand or wrist fracture take to heal?

Fractures commonly require six weeks or longer for the bone to heal, although recovery varies depending on the location and severity of the injury. Regaining full strength and mobility can take several months, particularly after a complex fracture or surgery.

Can a hand or wrist fracture cause permanent problems?

Most hand and wrist fractures heal well with appropriate treatment, but severe injuries or fractures that heal in poor alignment can lead to persistent stiffness, weakness, deformity, reduced motion, or arthritis. Prompt diagnosis, proper stabilization, and rehabilitation can help reduce the risk of long-term problems after a fracture.