Wrist Fractures: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Wrist Fractures?
An orthopedic surgeon, a doctor who treats bone and joint injuries, usually treats a broken wrist. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What are wrist fractures?
A distal radius fracture is a break of the radius, a long forearm bone, close to the wrist. These breaks are very common. A scaphoid fracture is a break in one of the small wrist bones, called carpal bones.
Symptoms
A broken wrist usually causes pain right away.
- Pain, swelling, and bruising.
- A wrist that looks bent or out of place.
- Pain and swelling on the thumb side of the wrist, which can mean a scaphoid break.
Some scaphoid breaks do not hurt much and can be mistaken for a sprain. In very severe breaks, the nerves in the hand can be injured or squeezed, which causes numb fingers.
Causes and who gets it
The most common cause of a distal radius fracture is a fall onto an outstretched arm. A scaphoid fracture also happens most often after a fall onto an outstretched hand.
In young people, distal radius fractures typically happen in high-energy accidents, such as a fall from a ladder or a motor vehicle collision. Osteoporosis is a condition that makes bones weak and more likely to break. With osteoporosis, even a minor fall can cause a broken wrist.
How doctors diagnose it
Your doctor will ask how the injury happened and what symptoms you have. Doctors will likely order X-rays of the wrist. X-rays show if the bone is broken and if the broken pieces have moved out of place.
A scaphoid fracture does not always show up on an X-ray right away.
Treatment
The treatment depends on the type of break, your age and activity level, and your surgeon's judgment. If the broken bone is in a good position, a doctor may put the wrist in a cast until the bone heals. If the bone has moved out of place and could affect how well the wrist works, the doctor may need to put it back in the right position. This is called a reduction. A splint then holds the bone in place while it heals.
Without surgery, the doctor will usually remove the cast about 4 to 6 weeks after the break. You will likely start physical therapy then, to help your wrist move and get stronger.
Sometimes a doctor cannot put the bone back in the right position without surgery. Surgery may also be needed when the bone cannot stay in place with just a cast. The doctor may use metal plates, screws, pins, or a metal support outside the body to hold the bone steady while it heals.
Treatment for a scaphoid fracture can range from casting to surgery. The best treatment depends on how bad the break is and where it is in the bone. With either kind of treatment, a scaphoid break may need a cast or splint for up to 6 months or until it has healed.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if wrist pain does not go away within a day of an injury, because it may be a sign of a fracture. If your fingers feel numb after a wrist injury, go to an emergency room right away. These signs mean you should go straight to an urgent care center or the emergency room.
- The injury is very painful.
- The wrist looks badly bent or out of place.
- You have severe pain that does not get better or gets worse.
- You have severe pain when someone gently straightens your fingers.
- You have new weakness or trouble bending your thumb or index finger.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if any of these happen.
- A bone is sticking out through the skin.
- There is severe bleeding.
- The area below the injury is pale, cold, clammy, or blue.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. After a break, a doctor may recommend testing your bones for weakness, especially if you have other risk factors for osteoporosis.
Common questions
How long does a broken wrist take to heal?
Most distal radius fractures take about 3 months to heal enough for you to use your wrist for all activities. Full recovery can take up to 1 year. Scaphoid breaks tend to heal slowly.
Can a broken wrist heal without surgery?
Yes, it can. If the broken bone is in a good position, a doctor may put the wrist in a cast until the bone heals. If the bone moves out of place while it is healing, the doctor may say you need surgery.
Can a broken wrist be missed on an X-ray?
Yes, a scaphoid fracture sometimes does not show up on an X-ray right away. An MRI can sometimes show a scaphoid break before an X-ray can, and a CT scan can help show it too.
Can a broken wrist be a sign of weak bones?
Yes, it can be. A fragility fracture, which is a break linked to osteoporosis, is often the first sign that a person has weak bones.
Sources
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons - OrthoInfo - Distal Radius Fractures (Broken Wrist)
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons - OrthoInfo - Scaphoid Fracture of the Wrist
- MedlinePlus - Broken bone
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
