Broken Wrist: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD · Last reviewed: October 2026

A healthcare professional examines the wrist of a seated patient, with a hand and wrist bone anatomy poster on the wall behind them.

Quick answer

A broken wrist is a break or crack in one or more of the eight carpal bones or the radius and ulna, most often from a fall onto an outstretched hand. It causes serious pain, swelling, bruising and stiffness. Seek urgent care for numbness or trouble moving your fingers. Treatment includes a cast or splint, pain medicine and sometimes surgery. [1] [2]

What the research says

According to PubMed:

• For a common wrist-bone break, a cast worked about as well as surgery. In a trial of 439 adults with a scaphoid waist fracture displaced by 2 mm or less, wrist scores at 52 weeks did not differ significantly between surgery and cast groups (mean 11.9 vs 14.0, p=0.27). A serious complication from surgery occurred in 14% of the surgery group versus 1% in the cast group, while cast-related complications were more common with casting (18% vs 2%). (Dias et al., DOI).

• For distal radius fractures, plates may help recovery, but the benefit is less clear after age 60. A meta-analysis of randomized trials comparing volar locking plates with cast immobilization found lower DASH scores (a measure of arm, shoulder, and hand disability) with plates from 6 weeks onward, and overall complications did not differ significantly; in patients 60 and older, clinical benefits remained uncertain. (Li et al., DOI).

• There is not enough strong evidence to say which rehabilitation approach is best. A Cochrane review of 26 trials involving 1,269 mainly older, female patients rated the evidence for all 23 comparisons as low or very low quality and concluded it is insufficient to establish which rehabilitation interventions work best. (Handoll and Elliott, DOI).

Study details are from PubMed abstracts.

Key facts at a glance

Key fact	What to know
What it is	A break or crack in one or more wrist or forearm bones [1]
Common fracture types	Scaphoid fracture near the thumb base; distal radius fracture, including the common Colles fracture [1]
Most common cause	Falling onto an outstretched hand [1]
Other causes	Sports injuries and motor vehicle crashes [1]
Main symptoms	Pain with gripping or movement, swelling, bruising, stiffness [1]
Diagnosis	Physical exam plus X-rays; CT or MRI if more detail is needed [2]
Immobilization time	Cast or splint for up to six months [2]
Possible complications	Lasting stiffness, osteoarthritis, nerve or blood vessel damage [1]
Recovery time	Several months or longer for full recovery [2]

What is a broken wrist?

Your wrist is made up of eight small bones, called carpal bones, plus two long bones in your forearm: the radius and the ulna. A broken wrist occurs when one or more of these bones break or crack, often because of a fall. [1]

When falling, people instinctively reach out their hands to catch themselves. That reflex sends the full force of the fall through the wrist and can lead to a break or crack, also called a fracture. [1]

Two fracture types are especially common. A scaphoid fracture breaks or cracks the scaphoid, the carpal bone most often injured, located near the base of the thumb. A distal radius fracture breaks the radius bone at the wrist, and usually occurs when people fall on an outstretched hand. [1]

It is important to treat a broken wrist right away. If not treated, the bones may not heal correctly, which makes everyday tasks such as writing or buttoning a shirt very hard. Early treatment also helps lessen pain and stiffness. [1]

What are the symptoms of a broken wrist?

Common symptoms of a broken wrist are easy to recognize but are sometimes mistaken for a sprain or bruise. The telltale sign is serious pain that may worsen when gripping or squeezing or when moving your hand or wrist. [1]

Symptom	What it looks like
Pain	Serious pain, worse when gripping, squeezing, or moving the hand or wrist [1]
Swelling and tenderness	The wrist looks puffy and is sore to the touch [1]
Bruising	Skin color changes over the wrist or hand [1]
Physical changes	A bent wrist or crooked finger [1]
Stiffness	Inability to move your fingers or thumb [1]
Numbness	Loss of feeling in your hand or fingers [1]

When should you see a doctor for a broken wrist?

If you think you might have a broken wrist, see a doctor right away. Do not wait for the swelling to go down on its own. [1]

If you have numbness, swelling, or trouble moving your fingers, seek medical care right away. These signs can point to nerve or blood vessel damage that needs prompt attention. [1]

Delaying diagnosis and treatment can lead to poor healing, reduced range of motion, and weaker grip strength. Getting treated early protects your long-term use of the hand. [1]

What causes a broken wrist and how does it happen?

A strong impact or crushing injury can break any of the bones in your wrists. Three situations account for most cases. [1]

Falling onto an outstretched hand is one of the most common causes of a broken wrist. The instinct to catch yourself puts all your body weight on the small wrist bones. [1]

Sports injuries also cause many fractures, especially during contact sports or activities where falling on an outstretched hand is likely. Pickleball, snowboarding, and in-line skating are common examples. [1]

Motor vehicle crashes can cause serious fractures, sometimes breaking bones into multiple pieces and requiring surgery to repair. [1]

What are the risk factors for a broken wrist?

Your activity level and bone health shape how likely a wrist fracture is. Contact sports and activities that increase the risk of falls raise the risk of breaking bones in the wrist. [1]

Risk factor	Why it matters
Football or soccer	Especially on artificial turf [1]
Rugby and hockey	High-impact contact sports [1]
Pickleball, skiing, snowboarding	Falls on an outstretched hand are common [1]
In-line skating and trampolining	Repeated fall risk during activity [1]
Horseback riding	Falls from height [1]
Osteoporosis	A condition that weakens bones and makes fractures more likely [1]

What complications of a broken wrist should you watch for?

Complications of a broken wrist are rare, but they include three you should know about. [1]

Ongoing stiffness, aching, or limited movement can linger after treatment. Discomfort typically improves after a cast is removed or surgery is completed, but some people have lasting pain or stiffness. Talk to your healthcare professional about exercises or a referral to physical or occupational therapy. [1]

Osteoarthritis can develop later. Fractures that extend into the joint can cause arthritis years later. If your wrist starts to hurt or swell long after a break, contact your healthcare professional. [1]

Nerve or blood vessel damage is an emergency sign. A wrist injury can affect nearby nerves and blood vessels. If you have numbness, swelling, or a change in the color of your skin, seek emergency medical care. [1]

How is a broken wrist diagnosed?

Diagnosing a broken wrist typically involves a physical examination of the injured area and X-rays. [2]

Diagnostic step	What it shows
Physical examination	Checks the injured area for pain, deformity, and movement limits [2]
X-rays	Standard first test to confirm and locate the fracture [2]
CT scan	Detects wrist fractures that X-rays may miss; shows soft tissues and blood vessels in cross-section [2]
MRI	Produces highly detailed images of bones and soft tissues; detects tiny fractures and ligament injuries [2]

Falling forward onto an outstretched hand is the classic mechanism of a wrist fracture, and recovery follows proper immobilization.

What are the treatment options for a broken wrist?

If the broken bone ends are not aligned, there may be gaps between the pieces of bone or overlapping fragments. To correct this, your healthcare professional performs a procedure called a reduction. A reduction repositions the bone pieces so they have the best chance to heal well. [2]

Depending on your level of pain and swelling, you may need anesthesia before the procedure. Local anesthesia numbs a specific area of the body so you do not feel pain, but you remain alert and awake. General anesthesia puts you into a deep sleep, and reductions are often done during surgery under general anesthesia. [2]

Immobilization

Limiting movement in a broken wrist is called immobilization. Whether your treatment is surgical or nonsurgical, you may need to wear a cast or splint for up to six months for proper healing. [2]

To reduce pain and swelling, you also will be advised to keep your hand elevated above heart level as much as possible. [2]

Whatever your treatment, it is important to move your fingers regularly as you heal to prevent stiffness. Ask your healthcare professional about the best ways to move them. [2]

Medicines

To manage pain, your healthcare professional may recommend a pain reliever you can buy without a prescription. For more serious pain, an opioid medicine may be prescribed. [2]

NSAIDs can help with pain relief but may slow bone healing, especially with long-term use. Talk to your healthcare professional before taking NSAIDs. [2]

If you have an open fracture, you will likely be given an antibiotic to prevent infection from reaching the bone. An open fracture happens when the bone breaks through the skin or when there is a wound near the fracture. [2]

Therapy

After your cast or splint is removed, you will likely need rehabilitation exercises or physical therapy to improve flexibility and restore movement in your wrist. While rehab can help, full recovery may take several months or longer. [2]

Surgery

If immobilization is not an option, you might need surgery to implant pins, plates, rods, or screws to hold your bones in place while they heal. A bone graft may also be used to help healing. [2]

Situation	Why surgery may be needed
Open fracture	Bone breaks through the skin or there is a wound near the fracture [2]
Unstable fracture	The bone pieces move before they heal [2]
Loose fragments	Pieces could enter a joint [2]
Surrounding damage	Injury to ligaments, nerves, or blood vessels [2]
Joint fracture	The break extends into a joint [2]

In some cases, a surgeon may stabilize the fracture using an external fixation device. This device includes a metal frame outside your body with two or more pins that go through the skin and into the bone on both sides of the fracture. [2]

Even after reduction and immobilization with a cast or splint, the bones can shift. Your healthcare professional typically monitors your progress with X-rays. If your bones move, you may then need surgery. [2]

Keeping the hand elevated, wearing a cast or splint, moving the fingers, and getting follow-up X-rays cover the core steps of wrist fracture care.

How can you prevent a broken wrist?

You cannot always prevent unexpected events that lead to a broken wrist, but these steps may help reduce the risk. [1]

Build strong bones by eating a nutritious diet with enough calcium and vitamin D, getting plenty of weight-bearing exercise such as brisk walking, and quitting smoking if you smoke. [1]

Most broken wrists occur when people fall forward onto an outstretched hand. Regular exercise makes you stronger, and exercises that improve balance and coordination are the most helpful. Wearing sensible shoes, removing trip hazards such as throw rugs, lighting your living space well, having your vision checked, installing grab bars and handrails, and avoiding slippery surfaces such as pool decks and icy walkways all cut fall risk. [1]

For high-risk activities such as pickleball, snowboarding, skating, rugby, and football, wearing wrist guards adds an extra layer of protection. [1]

How should you prepare for a broken wrist appointment?

If you have a broken wrist, you may first seek treatment in an emergency room or urgent care clinic. If the broken bones are not properly aligned for healing with immobilization, you may be referred to an orthopedic surgeon for further treatment. [2]

Before your visit, write a list that includes a description of your symptoms and how, where, and when the injury occurred. Add information about your and your family's medical histories, all the medicines and dietary supplements you take including doses, and the questions you want to ask. [2]

Helpful questions to ask include: What tests do I need? What is the best course of action? Will I need surgery? Will I need to wear a cast, and if so, for how long? Will I need physical therapy when the cast comes off? Are there restrictions I need to follow? Should I see a specialist? [2]

Your healthcare professional may ask about your occupation, whether your wrist or hand was bent backward or forward when the injury occurred, whether you are right-handed or left-handed, where it hurts and whether certain movements make it hurt more or less, and whether you have had previous hand or wrist injuries or surgery. [2]

Conclusion

A broken wrist deserves quick, careful attention. Falling onto an outstretched hand is the most common cause, and the signs of pain with gripping, swelling, bruising, and a bent wrist are clear enough to act on the same day. [1]

Early treatment with repositioning, a cast or splint, and steady finger movement gives the bones their best chance to heal correctly. Full recovery can take several months or longer, but most people regain normal use of their hand. [2]

Next steps: If you fell on your wrist and it hurts to grip or move, see a healthcare professional the same day. If numbness, swelling, or skin color changes appear, treat it as urgent.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my wrist is broken or just sprained?

A broken wrist usually causes serious pain that worsens when gripping or moving the hand or wrist, along with swelling, bruising, and sometimes a bent wrist or crooked finger. Only an X-ray can confirm a fracture, so see a healthcare professional right away if you suspect one. [1] [2]

How long does a broken wrist take to heal?

You may wear a cast or splint for up to six months, and full recovery, with help from rehabilitation exercises or physical therapy, may take several months or longer. [2]

Should I take NSAIDs like ibuprofen for the pain?

NSAIDs can relieve pain, but they may slow bone healing, especially with long-term use. Talk to your healthcare professional before taking them, since over-the-counter options or other prescriptions may fit your situation better. [2]

When does a broken wrist need surgery?

Surgery may be needed for an open fracture, a fracture where the bone pieces move before healing, loose fragments that could enter a joint, damage to surrounding ligaments, nerves, or blood vessels, or fractures that extend into a joint. [2]

Can a broken wrist cause problems years later?

Yes. Fractures that extend into the joint can cause osteoarthritis years later, and some people have lasting stiffness or aching. If your wrist hurts or swells long after the break, contact your healthcare professional. [1]

This article is for general education and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional about your individual situation.

What is the most common type of broken wrist?

The most common type is a break in the radius, the larger forearm bone, near the wrist. It is called a distal radius fracture and often happens when you fall onto an outstretched hand.

What should I do right after I hurt my wrist?

Keep the wrist still with a splint or other support, apply ice wrapped in a cloth, and raise it above your heart. Take off rings before swelling starts, and get medical care right away if you think the wrist may be broken.

What is a scaphoid fracture, and why can it be missed?

The scaphoid is a small wrist bone near the base of the thumb. A break there may not show up on the first X-ray, so your provider may splint the wrist and repeat the X-ray or order an MRI.

Can I drive with a cast on my wrist?

Ask your provider first. Driving is generally not advised until you can grip the steering wheel firmly and control the car safely.

How can I lower my risk of breaking a wrist?

Wear wrist guards for skating, snowboarding and similar sports, and take steps to prevent falls at home. Getting enough calcium and vitamin D and doing weight-bearing exercise help keep bones strong.

Related Reading

Wrist X-Ray: Why It's Done, What It Shows and What to Expect explains the X-ray used first for wrist injuries and pain.

References

1. Mayo Clinic Staff. Broken wrist - Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. April 14, 2026. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/broken-wrist/symptoms-causes/syc-20353169

2. Mayo Clinic Staff. Broken wrist - Diagnosis and treatment. Mayo Clinic. April 14, 2026. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/broken-wrist/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353175

3. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Distal radius fractures (broken wrist). OrthoInfo. Accessed October 14, 2026. https://www.orthoinfo.org/diseases--conditions/distal-radius-fractures-broken-wrist/

4. Dias JJ, Brealey SD, Fairhurst C, et al. Surgery versus cast immobilisation for adults with a bicortical fracture of the scaphoid waist (SWIFFT): a pragmatic, multicentre, open-label, randomised superiority trial. Lancet. 2020;396(10248):390-401. PMID 32771106. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30931-4

5. Li F, Tan Y, Cui L, et al. Efficacy and safety of volar locking plate versus cast immobilization for distal radius fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Plast Surg Hand Surg. 2024;59. PMID 39311473. https://doi.org/10.2340/jphs.v59.41372

6. Handoll HH, Elliott J. Rehabilitation for distal radial fractures in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;(9):CD003324. PMID 26403335. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD003324.pub3