Hand & Wrist Fractures

Hand & Wrist Fractures

Hand & Wrist Fracture Treatment in New York

Hand and wrist fractures are common injuries that can affect the bones of the fingers, hand, wrist, or forearm. They may occur after a fall, sports injury, motor vehicle accident, workplace injury, or direct blow. Symptoms can include pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness, deformity, and difficulty moving the affected area.

Prompt evaluation is important because some fractures can affect alignment, joint movement, grip strength, and long-term hand function if they do not heal in the proper position.

Dr. Salil Gupta, MD, is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon specializing in hand, wrist, elbow, and upper-extremity care in New York. His fellowship training in Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery provides specialized experience in evaluating and treating fractures and other conditions affecting the hand and wrist.

What Are Hand & Wrist Fractures?

A fracture is a partial or complete break in a bone. The hand contains numerous small bones, including the metacarpals and phalanges, while the wrist contains eight small carpal bones and connects the hand to the forearm.

Common hand and wrist fractures include:

• Finger fractures
• Metacarpal fractures
• Thumb fractures
• Scaphoid fractures
• Distal radius fractures
• Distal ulna fractures
• Other carpal bone fractures

Symptoms may include:

• Pain and tenderness
• Swelling and bruising
• Difficulty moving the fingers or wrist
• Pain when gripping or putting pressure through the hand
• Visible deformity or abnormal alignment
• Weakness
• Numbness or tingling in some cases

A suspected fracture should be evaluated promptly, particularly when there is significant pain, deformity, swelling, or difficulty moving the fingers.

What Are the Benefits of Treatment for Hand & Wrist Fractures?

The primary goals of fracture treatment are to restore appropriate bone alignment, support healing, and preserve as much hand and wrist function as possible. Depending on the injury, appropriate treatment may help:

• Support proper bone healing
• Restore or maintain alignment
• Preserve joint movement
• Reduce pain and swelling
• Protect the injured area while it heals
• Restore grip and hand function
• Reduce the risk of complications associated with poorly aligned fractures

Treatment is based on the location and type of fracture, whether the bone has shifted, whether a joint is involved, and other factors.

When Is Treatment for Hand & Wrist Fractures Recommended?

Treatment is recommended whenever a fracture is diagnosed or strongly suspected. The specific treatment depends on the characteristics of the injury and the patient's individual needs.

Treatment may be considered when:

• Imaging confirms a fracture
• A bone is displaced or misaligned
• The fracture extends into a joint
• The injury causes significant instability
• There is an open fracture
• A fracture cannot be maintained in proper alignment with immobilization
• The injury affects hand or wrist function
• A fracture has not healed as expected

Some stable fractures can be treated with immobilization, while displaced, unstable, or complex fractures may require a procedure to restore alignment.

What Does Preparation for Hand & Wrist Fracture Treatment Involve?

Evaluation begins with a review of how the injury occurred, your symptoms, previous injuries, and overall health. Dr. Gupta will examine the hand and wrist for swelling, tenderness, deformity, circulation, sensation, and movement.

X-rays are commonly used to identify and evaluate fractures. Depending on the injury, additional imaging such as CT or MRI may be recommended to provide more detailed information about the bones, joints, ligaments, or soft tissues.

If surgery is necessary, you will receive instructions regarding medications, eating and drinking before the procedure, transportation, and postoperative care.

How Are Hand & Wrist Fractures Treated?

Treatment depends on the location, severity, alignment, and stability of the fracture.

Stable fractures that remain properly aligned may be treated with immobilization using a splint, cast, or brace. Follow-up imaging may be needed to confirm that the bones remain in an appropriate position while healing.

If a fracture is displaced or unstable, the bones may need to be repositioned. This can sometimes be accomplished without surgery through a procedure called closed reduction, followed by immobilization.

Some fractures require surgery to restore and maintain alignment. Surgical treatment may involve open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) using plates, screws, pins, or other fixation devices. The appropriate technique depends on the specific fracture.

What to Expect During Recovery After Hand & Wrist Fracture Treatment?

Recovery varies according to the location and severity of the fracture, the treatment performed, and individual healing. During the initial recovery period, immobilization may be necessary to protect the fracture while the bone heals.

Once appropriate healing has occurred, gradually restoring movement and strength becomes an important part of recovery. Hand therapy may be recommended for some patients, particularly when stiffness or weakness develops after immobilization or surgery.

Returning to lifting, sports, work, or other demanding activities too quickly can interfere with healing. Your treatment team will provide guidance on when activities can safely be resumed.

What Are the Risks and Complications of Hand & Wrist Fracture Treatment?

Fractures and their treatment can involve potential complications. These may include:

• Persistent pain or swelling
• Stiffness
• Reduced range of motion
• Weakness or reduced grip strength
• Poor bone alignment
• Delayed healing
• Failure of the fracture to heal
• Arthritis following a joint-involving fracture
• Infection, particularly after surgery
• Nerve or blood vessel injury
• Hardware irritation or other hardware-related problems
• Need for additional treatment or surgery

The risk of complications depends on the fracture, its severity, treatment, and individual health factors.

Why Choose Dr. Salil Gupta for Hand & Wrist Fractures in New York?

Dr. Salil Gupta is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon specializing in hand, wrist, elbow, and upper-extremity care. He completed fellowship training in Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery as well as additional fellowship training in Pediatric Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery.

His specialized training encompasses the evaluation and treatment of injuries and conditions affecting the bones, joints, tendons, and nerves of the upper extremity. His professional background also includes an academic appointment at NYU School of Medicine.

Patients in Manhattan, Queens, and surrounding New York communities can seek specialized evaluation and treatment for hand and wrist fractures at the practice's New York and Rego Park locations.

Hand & Wrist Fractures FAQs