Wrist fracture

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A wrist fracture requires a full cast or a half cast. Read about broken wrists, treatment, follow up appointments and recovery which can take up to a year.

Key points

Your child needs a half or full cast to heal a fractured or broken wrist.
A half cast can be removed at home after about three weeks.
A full cast will likely not be removed for at least six weeks.
You child will need to avoid high-impact activities after the cast is removed.
Your child's wrist may need a year to fully recover strength and movement.

Introduction

Wrist with fractured radius — The radius, ulna and wrist bones (carpal bones) meet at the wrist joint. Any of these bones can be broken in a wrist fracture.

A broken or fractured wrist

Your child has a broken or fractured wrist. A fractured wrist might also be called a cracked wrist.

Treatment

Your child will need a cast

For the bone to heal, your child will need a cast and possibly a sling. What type of cast your child will need depends on how serious the break or fracture was.

Minor fractures usually only need a half cast. A more serious fracture or a break will probably need a full cast.

Half cast

A half cast will stay on for three to four weeks. About one week after the cast is put on, your child will need to have a follow-up appointment with the fracture clinic at the hospital. At the clinic, staff will make sure your child's wrist is healing properly. If your child has a half cast, you may also be shown how to remove the cast at home.

Depending on the size of the fracture, it may take six months to a year before your child's wrist can fully straighten, bend and twist. However, most children do not need physiotherapy.

Full cast

If your child has a full cast, it will have to stay on for four to six weeks or perhaps longer. Your child will have follow-up appointments at one week, two weeks, and four to six weeks after the cast was put on.

Follow-up clinic information

Write down the dates and times of your follow-up appointments here:

Write down the number of the fracture clinic here:

Write down the name of the doctor or nurse at the fracture clinic here:

More information about the treatment

Removing the cast

After three or four weeks, your doctor at the fracture clinic may allow you to take off a half cast at home. Removing the cast is not difficult. When taking off the cast, carefully cut up the flannel side of the partial cast with scissors.

If your child has a full cast, it will be removed at the fracture clinic.

After removing the cast, your child's skin may be dry and itchy and look dirty. Use warm water and soap to gently wash and cream to moisturize the skin.

When the cast is off, your child can start moving the wrist. At first, the wrist may be stiff but movement will get better with time and activity.

Your child's arm may be smaller and feel weaker than the other arm. The muscles get thin from not being used. The muscles will get bigger and stronger as your child goes back to normal activities.

Helping your child

Healing after the cast is removed

Your child should avoid high-impact, contact sports for four to six weeks after taking off the cast. Your child will gradually gain confidence in the arm and will return to regular activities.

If you have any concerns, contact your family doctor or the advanced practice nurse (APN) at the fracture clinic.

Last updated: November 10th 2009