What to expect after distal radius/wrist fractures

A Colles fracture as seen on X-ray: It is a type of distal radius fracture. A distal radius fracture, also known as wrist fracture, is a break of the part of the radius bone which is close to the wrist.

[Sunshine-lgsu]

Thank you for posting this video. I broke my wrist 3weeks ago and needed the surgery and plate to repair my injury. This really helps in forming my expectations going forward. ( boy, this injury is miserable☹️) wishing everyone here going through it a speedy recovery.
Grateful for everyone’s comments they really help.

[Debbie]

Learnt more from you than my own doctor

[jimijix]

Hi from Ireland, Dr. Richards.
I broke my wrist last Thursday, and learnt a lot from your truly international video.
Cheers, Tom

[Norbu]

So very helpful, clear, thorough and reassuring! Nice voice and delivery..a natural teacher! Gratitude...

[margaretcordova]

Love to watch this guy. I too had a distal radius wrist fracture and surgery. I am out of my cast after a very short time! 3 weeks and I am 72. I do wear my cast outside my home around lots of people but gif the most part I am out of it. I do my exercises religiously everyday! They want me doing them 3-5 times a day! I do wake up stiff some mornings so I get busy with exercises right away!

[suzicowie]

Thank you so much! I’m 62 and broke my wrist when I fell on ice. First broken bone and I want to make sure I heal properly. Your information is so valuable. ❤

[Eric_is_watching]

Incredibly uplifting and helpful video. It's been 13 hours since my surgery and I've already made a somewhat fist since watching this video. Thank you so much.

[NemoEUC]

This was extremely informative. I am recovering from a radius and ulna fracture in my left forarm. Its been 3 weeks since my surgery. My doctor did not provide as much information as you did in this video. I really appreciate it.

[john-obbv]

My 70 yro dad did this today, surgery tomorrow. It was heartbreaking to watch 6 nurses put it back in place, pain relief was morphine and a vape thing but I could feel his pain. Wish us luck, good luck everyone.

[sunonymous]

I’m really sad that I can’t strength train right now, but knowing how to strength train using my hands in certain angles & motions (grips) helps me to rehab at home - using really light dumbbells and resistance bands. It totally sucks to fracture your dominant wrist at 40. Grateful for videos like this.

[philborchelt]

I REALLY wish my surgeon had spent these 8 minutes with me!! Just had the plate and screws put in last week. Will get cast in 3 days. I think I need the cast for 8 weeks but al least I know what to expect!! Thank you for this video!!!

[nathanielwebb]

I slipped on the ice in February of 2023 and came down really hard on my right fist. Went to the ED and was immediately diagnosed with a intra radial fracture that was jamming into the joint of my wrist. the surgery was not recommended it was imperative. three days later after visiting the Orthopedics I was in the OR and the plate was surgically installed. like the doctor said here, an incision my forearm. I went back for my 10-day appointment, unfortunately in a tremendous amount of pain and discomfort. After x-rays were taken it showed that the plate had failed and that the bone had gone back to its original broken location, if I remember correctly, I think it was 48 degrees off. Another surgery was done a few days after that. My surgeon described it like wearing pants with a belt and suspenders. He has faith that this will keep it inline, and we've got hope that it wasn't going to go offline again. It's a 7 inch Rod that is screwed into some bones in my hand as well as my arm. It's now day 15 since the second surgery with the suspender and belt surgery with a rod in my arm and my hand and everyday I experience the most severe amount of pain. It says if my arm and my hand and fingers are on fire or there's a vice grip around parts of my hand and arm it's excruciating. I am due to have the rod taken out after my appointment tomorrow. Assuming the bone is still healing and place.

I will say this anybody who has experienced this type of fracture I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy I have had 20 Orthopedic surgeries from my athletic career, and this by far has been the most painful, by far the most painful event that I've undergone. I just hope that it stays in place.

And because I cannot type I'm using talk to text so it's this is not grammatically sound I do apologize I cannot use my right hand for much. Best wishes for anybody out there with this specific fracture, and thank you Doc for your video.

[LindaJRice]

Dr. Richards, THANK YOU for taking time to create and share this video. i fell ice skating and have Colles fracture on both wrists was cast yesterday It is enormously helpful to log on and hear you explain whats going on and what to expect. Most of all it is greatly encouraging to know that in time normal use will return. Thanks again.

[debbiegibson]

I am furious that no one told me to constantly make a fist!!! As a result I am going to therapy because I can't use my fingers. I wish I had watched you earlier. I am a very active 73-year-old and am miserable at five weeks after my fracture. Watching you has given me hope, though.

[AlexB-bwcp]

35 year old Mama here! Fractured my distal radius in a rollerblading accident. This video was very informative, Thank You! I got excited when you addressed the 35 year old!!!

[TheEmaile]

After a complete radial fracture involving the joint, I had surgery in August. During my (one) visit with the doctor before surgery, I was told that I could do yoga right away. 

I’ve been depressed for the past 4 months, trying my hardest to do yoga, but eventually giving up from pain and immobility. I had a longer than average recovery due to extensive ulnar pain (from sprain) and was unable to move my wrist and fingers for 2 months. Hearing that 2 months is normal before wanting to exercise and 9-12 is normal for push ups brought tears to my eyes. I thought I was way behind schedule and was really hard on myself.

Thank you for making this video and for all the info on recovery, including the importance of moving fingers. Unfortunately my doctor was not as involved in patient care as you are. How wonderful to have specialists like you.

[isellu]

This is a really great video from a guy who knows his stuff, and can communicate it, to those of us who don't. Thanks for posting this no nonsense and matter-of-fact lesson.
I appreciate your efforts!

[amyy]

My husband just fractured his distal radius and ulna.. I found this video very helpful.

[tkarno]

I’m glad I found your video. I got more out of your vid than I’ve gotten in 3 months from my ortho office.

[donnacreason]

Thank you for taking time to explain these things. I had a wrist fracture 9 days ago. I have learned so much from your video. I was just rolled out to my car with a pleasant goodbye. I didn't even know what procedure I had until I looked up my online chart. Thank you again.