Hand and wrist fractures most commonly occurs during a fall when people land hard on an outstretched hand while trying to catch themselves. More severe fractures may occur in more forceful impacts, such as a car accident or a falling off a ladder. Osteoporosis, a condition in which the bone becomes very weak and brittle, may increase the likelihood of hand and wrist fractures from a simple fall.
It is important to treat hand and wrist fractures as soon as possible. The bones in the hand are aligned precisely to allow you to perform many everyday functions like grasping a pen or buttoning a shirt. If the fracture is not properly treated, the bones may not heal in proper alignment and can affect your ability to perform the everyday functions.
The type of treatment used for hand and wrist fractures depend on various factors like your age, level of activity, severity of injury and presence of arthritis. Only a splint or cast may be needed for fractures that are not displaced or have been aligned. Surgery may be needed for fractures that need bone alignment and/or stabilization.