Can I do X-ray my fracture wrist over plaster cast ?
Introduction
What is a wrist fracture?
A wrist fracture is defined as a discontinuity in the bone of your wrist.
What is plaster?
The plaster is important, as it keeps the fracture in an acceptable position.
During this time, x-rays are done to check if the bone is healing well.
There is a need for high kVp in doing these kinds of X-ray Basically done for evaluation of fracture healing the plaster cast stay on for about six (6) week.
Symptoms of fracture
- Severe pain – many occur when bending the wrist.
- Swelling
- Tenderness
Causes
A fractured wrist bone can be caused by the Fall.
This is the most common cause of fracture wrist bone.
Sports Injuries: sometimes your wrist may get injured while playing due to which there are chances of getting a fracture.
Motor Vehicles Crashes: sometimes wrist bone breaks into many pieces due to motor vehicles.
Wrist Carpal Bone
There are a total of eight bones present in the carpal bone named as:
- scaphoid
- Lunate
- Triquetrum
- Pisiform
- Trapezium
- Trapezoid
- Capitate
- Hamate
Fracture:
Causes of bone fractures include injury, overuse, and diseases that weaken bones.
Classification of wrist fracture:
There are mainly four types of classification:
- Simple
- Compound
- Comminuted
- Greenstick
Type of fracture
There are many types of fracture
- Colles fracture (distal radius fracture)
- Scaphoid fracture
- Greenstick fracture – Incomplete fracture.
- Transverse – When the bone break across a straight line.
- Oblique – Diagonal break across the bone.
- Buckle Fracture: these are compression fracture they are mostly seen in children
- Hairline Fracture- This X-ray is showing up on the second time. Then you will have to keep wearing a cast/plaster for about 6 to 20 weeks, depending on the location of the fracture.
- Barton’s fracture (fracture-dislocation of the radiocarpal joint)
- Smith’s fracture – distal radius with volar displacement of the fragment
- Chauffeur’s fracture – fracture of the radial styloid
- Osteoporosis and wrist fractures
- Fracture of the ulnar styloid.
Risk Factors of wrist fracture:
Risk factors are increases when you playing sports activities that are increasing your risk of falling and increasing your risk of breaking bones in your wrist.
Examples include: Hockey, Football, Skiing
Complications
Complications of a broken wrist are rare; these include:
Ongoing stiffness, aching, or disability.
Stiffness, pain, or aching in the affected area.
Osteoarthritis: Fractures that extend into a joint can cause arthritis years later.
Nerve or blood vessel damage: Injury to the wrist can injure adjacent nerves and blood vessels
Diagnosis:
X-ray: To diagnose a wrist fracture your doctor will order you for an X-ray examination. X-rays can diagnose fractures by using radiation.
CT Scan: Some fractures are not shown in X-ray but they are clearly visible in CT scan. CT scan also gives details of any tissue swelling and other injuries.
MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can identify very small fractures and ligaments injury.
Treatment:
Minimize the movement of your affected hand if you have pain and swelling.
You will be advised to reduce pain and swelling of hand keep your hand above the level of the chest.
Medication
You can take medicine to reduce pain with the advice of a doctor.
Therapy
After removing plaster doctor may be advised to exercise remove the stiffness in your wrist.