Wrist Fracture Repair

Relieving pressure on the ulnar nerve where it passes behind the elbow, sometimes moving the nerve to the front, to stop numbness in the ring and small fingers.

Cubital Tunnel Release

Realigning a broken wrist and holding it with a plate and screws so it heals in position and motion can start early.

Wrist Fracture Repair

Fixing a broken scaphoid bone with a compression screw, and reconstructing scaphoid fractures that have failed to heal, including vascularized bone grafting.

Scaphoid Fracture Repair

Reattaching a biceps tendon that has torn from the forearm bone at the elbow, to restore the strength to turn and lift.

Distal Biceps Tendon Repair

Releasing or removing the thickened cords in the palm that pull fingers into a bent position, by needle release, enzyme injection or open surgery.

Dupuytren Contracture Release

Removing a fluid-filled cyst from the wrist or hand along with the stalk that connects it to the joint, to relieve pain and lower recurrence.

Ganglion Cyst Removal

Reconstructing the arthritic joint at the base of the thumb by removing the worn bone and stabilizing the thumb with a tendon or implant, to restore pain-free pinch.

Thumb CMC Arthroplasty

ContactTalk toa real person.

Two clinics, one number to call or text. Same-day appointments for acute injuries whenever we can. The front desk will match you with the right surgeon.

Call801-640-0000

TextSend a text

Provo1055 N 300 W, Ste 104

Orem700 W 800 N, Ste 330

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What it is

Wrist Fracture Repair

Most wrist fractures involve the end of the radius after a fall onto an outstretched hand.

When the pieces are displaced, tilted or unstable, they are realigned and held with a low-profile plate and screws on the palm side of the bone.Fixation lets the wrist start moving within days instead of spending six weeks in a cast.

Performed by

M. Shane Frazier, DO, Hand and Upper Extremity surgeon at Ridgeline Orthopedic Specialists

Dr. FrazierHand and Upper Extremity

Toby Johnson, MD, Hand and Upper Extremity surgeon at Ridgeline Orthopedic Specialists

Dr. JohnsonHand and Upper Extremity

Travis Peterson, DO, Hand and Upper Extremity surgeon at Ridgeline Orthopedic Specialists

Dr. PetersonHand and Upper Extremity

or call801-640-0000

Wrist Fracture Repair

Who It Helps

Surgery fits fractures that are displaced, that extend into the joint, that cannot be held in a cast, or that occur in active patients who cannot afford six weeks of immobilization.Many stable fractures, particularly in older adults, heal well in a cast, and we recommend that when it is the better path.

Wrist Fracture Repair

What to Expect

Outpatient surgery under regional block with sedation or general anesthesia, about an hour.A splint for one to two weeks, then a removable brace.Fractures are ideally repaired within one to two weeks of injury, so call promptly.Falls on ice and off bikes bring wrist fractures to us all year; we see new fractures within days so fixation can happen inside the two-week window. Dr. Frazier, Dr. Johnson and Dr. Peterson operate at Utah Valley Hospital and Orem Community Hospital.

Wrist Fracture Repair

Recovery Timeline

Finger motion immediately. Wrist motion begins within one to two weeks. Light use at six weeks and full strength over three to six months.Hand therapy is often prescribed to recover motion and grip.

Milestones

Day 0Finger motion

Week 1 to 2Wrist motion begins

Week 6Light use

Month 3 to 6Full strength

Wrist Fracture Repair

Risks and Considerations

Stiffness, tendon irritation from the plate, infection and nerve irritation are the main risks.Some patients later have the plate removed. Arthritis can develop years later if the joint surface was involved.A small number of patients develop complex regional pain syndrome, which we watch for and treat early.

Wrist Fracture Repair

Your Surgeons

Dr. Frazier, Dr. Johnson and Dr. Peterson perform this procedure at Utah Valley Hospital, Orem Community Hospital, American Fork Hospital and Mountain View Hospital.

Dr. Frazier, DO

Fellowship trained in hand and upper extremity surgery at the University of Pittsburgh. Seventeen years in practice. Fluent in Spanish.

Dr. Johnson, MD

Weill Cornell graduate, hand fellowship at Allegheny General. Twenty-one years in practice and seventeen as a collegiate team physician.

Dr. Peterson, DO

Hand surgery fellowship at UMass Chan. Office-based, wide-awake carpal tunnel release. Fifteen years in practice. Speaks German.

Wrist Fracture Repair

Related Procedures and Conditions

Scaphoid Fracture Repair

Carpal Tunnel Release

Scaphoid Fracture

Wrist Instability

or call801-640-0000

ContactTalk toa real person.

Two clinics, one number to call or text. Same-day appointments for acute injuries whenever we can. The front desk will match you with the right surgeon.

Call801-640-0000

TextSend a text

Provo1055 N 300 W, Ste 104

Orem700 W 800 N, Ste 330