Wrist fracture manipulation A&E leaflet

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What is this information about?

This information is designed for people who have suffered a wrist fracture (or broken wrist).

We may need to manipulate your broken bones to improve their position.

Your broken wrist has been placed in a plaster backslab (a half plaster cast). Once the swelling goes down, this will be changed to a full plaster cast to keep the wrist still while it heals.

You have been referred to the fracture clinic for ongoing care. Please make sure we have your updated contact information.

The fracture clinic will arrange for a full plaster cast, which will stay on for up to six weeks. After the cast is removed, your wrist will need an additional six weeks to fully strengthen. 

Wrist fractures

You have broken one or more bones in your wrist. This can cause pain, swelling, deformity, numbness or tingling, and possibly an open wound. 

Please remove all jewellery from the affected hand to prevent further injury due to swelling. If necessary, we may need to cut off any rings for your safety. 

In most cases, the bones in wrist fractures are close together, so a plaster cast is usually enough to manage the injury (undisplaced wrist fracture). If the bones are too far apart, we may need to realign them (displaced wrist fracture). 

It is important that the bones are in the correct position to ensure proper function of the muscles, nerves, and blood vessels in your wrist and hand and to prevent damage to the nerves caused by swelling. 

Your wrist is currently in a backslab (half plaster cast) to keep it still while healing. 

We have referred you to the fracture clinic for further care. 

You will be sent home with a sling to help keep your wrist elevated and reduce swelling. 

Manipulating (moving) your fracture

If necessary, we may manipulate the broken bones to improve their position and prevent complications. This will be done after numbing your wrist. 

There are different ways to numb your wrist: 

• Entonox (laughing gas and oxygen): This may cause nausea or headaches. 
• Haematoma block: An injection of local anaesthetic into the fracture site. It causes minimal side effects but may be a little painful at first. 
• IV morphine: This may cause nausea or confusion. 
• IV anaesthetic drugs: These will make you feel sleepy and may affect your blood pressure and heart rate. 
• Penthrox: A hand held device to deliver short term pain relief.  

We will closely monitor you during the use of these pain relief methods. Let staff know if you feel unwell or need additional pain relief. 

What should I do when my wrist is in a cast?

Who can I contact for advice?

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Virtual Fracture Clinic. 

For general medical advice please use the NHS website, the NHS 111 service, walk-in-centres, or your GP.

NHS website provides online health information and guidance

There are walk-in and urgent treatment services at Brighton Station, Crawley Urgent Treatment Centre, Lewes Victoria Hospital, Horsham Minor Injuries Unit and Bognor Regis War Memorial Hospital.