HAND/WRIST
Winter brings snow, ice, and the dreaded hidden hazard—black ice. Unlike visible patches of snow or frost, black ice is nearly invisible, forming a thin, smooth layer on sidewalks, driveways, and roads when temperatures hover around freezing. This sneaky menace often catches you off guard, which can lead to hard falls. Unfortunately, when people instinctively throw out their hands to break their fall, they put themselves at risk for a distal radius fracture, one of the most common wrist injuries.
A distal radius fracture occurs when the larger of the two forearm bones (the radius) breaks near the wrist joint. The force of falling onto an outstretched hand can cause anything from a minor crack to a more severe break where the bone shifts out of place. Symptoms typically include immediate pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty moving the wrist. In more serious cases, the wrist may look visibly bent or deformed. If you experience these symptoms after a fall, don’t dismiss it as just a sprain—getting an X-ray is the only way to confirm the extent of the injury.
Treatment depends on the severity of the break. A simple, non-displaced fracture may heal well with a cast or splint. If the bone is misaligned, it may need to be reset, which can sometimes be done as an office procedure. The most severe cases may even require surgery with a plate and screws to hold the bone fragments in proper alignment. Recovery time varies, but most fractures take about six to eight weeks to heal. This is often followed by physical therapy to help restore use of the wrist and hand, focusing on strength and mobility. It’s a frustrating process, especially for those who rely on their hands for work or daily activities.
The best way to deal with black ice, or any cause of a broken wrist, is to try to avoid falling altogether. Wearing shoes with good traction, walking cautiously, and using handrails when available can help prevent falls. Keeping your hands out of your pockets while walking also improves balance and reaction time. A little extra caution can go a long way in keeping you safe and avoiding an unexpected broken bone this winter, or any time of year.
