A broken hand or wrist can happen to anyone—from a fall on an outstretched hand, a sports injury, a car accident, or even a misstep on one of our Arizona hiking trails. Hand and wrist fractures are among the most common injuries I treat as a hand surgeon in Phoenix, and getting the right treatment early makes all the difference in how well your hand heals and functions long-term.
Types of Hand and Wrist Fractures
The hand and wrist contain 27 bones, and a fracture can occur in any of them. The most common fractures I treat include:
DISTAL RADIUS FRACTURE (BROKEN WRIST)
The most common wrist fracture, typically caused by falling onto an outstretched hand. The radius bone breaks near the wrist joint. Some of these heal well in a cast, while displaced or unstable fractures often require surgical fixation with a plate and screws.
SCAPHOID FRACTURE
The scaphoid is a small bone at the base of the thumb side of the wrist. These fractures are tricky because they’re often missed on initial X-rays and the scaphoid has a tenuous blood supply, meaning poor healing (nonunion) is a real risk if not treated properly. If you fell on your hand and have pain in the anatomic snuffbox (the hollow at the base of your thumb), see a hand surgeon—even if the ER X-ray was "negative."
METACARPAL FRACTURES
The metacarpals are the long bones in the palm. The fifth metacarpal neck fracture (boxer’s fracture) is the most common, typically from punching a hard surface. Many metacarpal fractures can be treated without surgery, but fractures with significant rotation, angulation, or shortening may need pinning or plate fixation.
FINGER (PHALANX) FRACTURES
Fractures of the finger bones are extremely common. While many heal well with splinting or buddy taping, fractures that involve the joint surface (intra-articular fractures) or those with rotational deformity require surgical repair to prevent long-term stiffness and deformity.
How Do I Know If My Hand or Wrist Is Broken?
Common signs of a fracture include:
- Immediate pain and swelling after an injury
- Bruising or discoloration
- Inability to move the finger, hand, or wrist normally
- Visible deformity—a crooked finger or a bump where there shouldn’t be one
- Pain that worsens with gripping or squeezing
If you suspect a fracture, don’t wait. Early evaluation with proper X-rays—and sometimes a CT scan—is essential for determining the best treatment plan.
When Does a Hand Fracture Need Surgery?
Not every fracture needs surgery. Many stable, well-aligned fractures heal beautifully in a cast or splint. I recommend surgical fixation when:
- The fracture is displaced (the bone ends are not aligned)
- There is rotational deformity (the finger crosses over adjacent fingers when making a fist)
- The fracture involves a joint surface
- The fracture is unstable and likely to shift in a cast
- Multiple fractures are present
- The fracture is open (bone broke through the skin)
Surgical options depend on the fracture type and location. I use pins (K-wires), screws, plates, or external fixation devices depending on what will give the best result with the least soft tissue disruption. The goal is always to restore alignment, achieve stable fixation, and allow early motion to prevent stiffness.
Recovery After Hand or Wrist Fracture Treatment
Recovery timelines vary depending on the fracture and treatment:
- Simple finger fractures: 3–4 weeks of splinting, return to full activity by 6–8 weeks
- Metacarpal fractures: 4–6 weeks of immobilization or protection after surgery, full strength by 3 months
- Distal radius fractures: 6 weeks in a cast or 2 weeks in a splint after plate fixation, grip strength continues improving for 3–6 months
- Scaphoid fractures: 8–12 weeks for cast treatment, 6–8 weeks after screw fixation
Hand therapy with a certified hand therapist is often an important part of recovery, particularly after surgical fixation, to restore range of motion and strength.
Expert Fracture Care in the Phoenix Metro
Whether you broke your hand playing sports in Gilbert, took a fall hiking in Fountain Hills, or had a workplace injury in Goodyear, timely evaluation by a hand surgeon is the key to the best outcome. I provide comprehensive fracture care for patients across the Phoenix metropolitan area, from initial evaluation through complete recovery.
Call (602) 258-4788 or visit toddrichardsmd.com to book an appointment with Dr. Todd Richards. Most insurance plans accepted. Same-week appointments often available.