What it is
A fracture of the radius near the wrist, usually after a fall onto an outstretched hand. It may be extra-articular or intra-articular and may accompany other injuries.
Typical clinical symptoms
- Immediate pain, swelling and bruising
- Wrist deformity when displaced
- Difficulty or inability to use the hand
- Finger numbness, a cold hand or an open wound requires emergency assessment
Video
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Scientific literature
External publications selected for this topic. Their scope may cover a specific condition, population or intervention within this topic; they do not constitute an individual treatment plan.
Fracture of the distal radius: epidemiology and premanagement radiographic characterization.
Literature review · 2014
Wrist & Hand
When is medical assessment needed?
Deformity after trauma, a finger that cannot actively bend or straighten, progressive loss of sensation or strength, a cold or pulseless hand, an open wound, and redness with fever require prompt medical assessment.
Descriptions are for orientation. Diagnosis follows history, clinical examination and, only when indicated, imaging or laboratory tests.
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