Distal Radius (Wrist) Fracture

(Children)

Author: Physiotherapist Department: Therapy

Document Number: STHK1107 Version: 1

Review date: 01/12/2021

Information for Patients

This is a follow-up leaflet to your recent telephone consultation with the fracture care team explaining the ongoing management of your injury. Your case has been reviewed by an Orthopaedic Consultant (Bone Specialist) and a Physiotherapist.

Your child had sustained a fracture to their distal radius (wrist) .

This is located at the bottom of the forearm, just below the thumb joint. Occasionally there may also be a small chip fracture at the top of the ulna, which is the other wrist bone that sits below the line of the little finger.

This normally takes six - eight weeks to heal. Typically your child will have a below-elbow cast on for 4-5weeks. During this period, your child may use the injured hand for light activities only and they should move their wrist and fingers within their pain tolerances straight away. It is important that your child follows the exercises on the following pages to prevent their wrist from becoming stiff. It is advisable to take pain killers as prescribed to enable your child to complete the exercises.

It is common for the wrist to ache and sometimes be painful for a further 3-6 months after the injury.

Please see the picture below to understand where this injury is.

If you are worried that your child is unable to follow this rehabilitation plan, your child is

experiencing pain or symptoms other than at the site of the original injury or surrounding area,

or if you have any questions, then please contact us for advice using the contact details on the

back of this booklet.

Page 1

Weeks since Injury Rehabilitation Plan

0-4 Your child will have a cast on their wrist.

If your child is provided with a sling, they should

continue to use this for a few days for comfort only.

Move fingers regularly.

Your child can use their arm for light activities as

pain permits.

Complete Stage One exercises

4-12 The cast is usually removed at 4-5 weeks.

The wrist fracture should be largely united (healed).

Your child may be provided with a splint. They

should try to only use this for the first week after the

cast is removed.

Gradually resume normal activities as pain allows.

Sporting activity may still cause discomfort.

Complete Stage Two exercises

12+ Symptoms will continue to improve over the next

few months.

If you are still experiencing significant pain and / or

stiffness please contact us for further advice /

management.

Management / Rehabilitation Plan

Page 2

Exercises -Stage 1 Exercises (3-4 times a day)

Page 3

Forearm rotations

Rest the elbow of the injured arm by their side.

Bend it to 90 degrees. Your child should slowly

rotate their palm up and down until they feel a

mild to moderate stretch. They can use their

other arm to assist if necessary. Do not push if it

causes pain.

Repeat 10 times.

Finger and wrist flexion and extension

Open and close the hand of the injured arm as

shown 10 times.

Then move the wrist up and down 10 times.

Elbow bend & straighten

Bend and straighten the elbow (of their injured

hand) so that they feel a mild to moderate stretch.

They can use their other arm to assist if

necessary, but do not push if it causes pain.

Repeat 10 times.

Advice

Cold packs:

A cold pack (ice pack or frozen peas wrapped in a damp towel) can provide short-term pain

relief. Apply this to the sore area for up to 15 minutes every few hours, ensuring the ice is never

in direct contact with the skin.

Exercises

Stage 2 Exercises (3-4 times a day)

Page 4

Sideways wrist stretches

Your child should place their palm on a table

and pivot their hand from side to side, making

sure that their hand moves in the direction of

your thumb and then towards your little finger.

Repeat 10 times.

Wrist flexion stretch

Support the forearm on a table with their hand

over the edge and palm facing down. Let gravity

take the hand down and then gently apply

downwards pressure with their non-injured hand.

Hold for 5 seconds.

Repeat 10 times.

Wrist extension stretch (Prayer Exercise)

Your child should place their palms together in

front of them and then lift their forearms upward.

They should then push their palms together and

hold for 5 seconds.

Repeat 10 times.

Exercises continued on following page

Exercises

Stage 2 Exercises Continued (3-4 times a day)

Page 5

Thumb movements

Your child should touch each finger-tip

with their thumb.

Repeat 10 times.

Grip strength exercises

Your child should regularly squeeze a

stress ball for 30-60 seconds

Or

Regularly use hand-held grip strength

equipment

Or

Practice wringing out a damp cloth.

Repeat 10 times+

Whiston Hospital

Warrington Road,

Prescot, Merseyside, L35 5DR

Telephone: 0151 426 1600

Contact Information

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS): 0151 430 1376

Should you have any worries or concerns following discharge from

hospital, please contact either:

Fracture Clinic: 0151 430 1403 (9 am-5pm Monday to Friday)

Emergency Department: 0151 430 2399