Wrist Fracture
A wrist fracture is a break in one of the bones of the wrist. The wrist joint lies where the two bones of the forearm join the small bones of the hand. The wrist joint normally bends forward and extends backward. A significant amount of force in any one of these directions can cause these bones to break.
What are the causes and risks of the injury?
A bone fracture occurs when the force against a bone is greater than the strength of the bone. Common causes of wrist fractures include:
direct blow to the wrist, such as a sports injury
falling onto an outstretched hand
an injury that causes the wrist to bend sharply backward
Factors that increase a person's risk of bone fracture include:
cancers affecting the bone
diet low in calcium or vitamin D
eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia
excess alcohol intake
family history of osteoporosis
medicines such as corticosteroids, certain medicines for seizures, and some medicines used for high blood pressure
hyperparathyroidism, a condition in which the parathyroid gland makes too much parathyroid hormone
hyperthyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone
hypogonadism, a condition in which the ovaries in women or testes in men do not function normally
menopause or surgical removal of the ovaries
normal aging, which causes the bones to become more brittle
osteoporosis, or excess bone thinning that results from loss of calcium in the bone
physical abuse, including child abuse, elder abuse, and spousal abuse
rheumatoid arthritis, a condition in which the body attacks its own joint tissue
sedentary lifestyle
smoking
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