Distal radius fracture
A broken wrist can make everyday movements painful and frustrating. Our hand and wrist specialists can assess your break and help you understand the right next steps.
Specialist fracture care
Clear guidance from the start
Your specialist will diagnose your break and explain what comes next.
A detailed assessment
Understanding your injury
Imaging can help your specialist plan the most appropriate treatment for you.
Support through recovery
Helping you move forward
Specialist hand therapy can help you gradually regain comfortable movement.
What is a distal radius fracture?
A distal radius fracture is a break in the larger of the two bones in your forearm, called the radius. It happens near the wrist, so you may also hear it described simply as a broken wrist. There are several ways the bone can break: The end of the radius tilts towards the back of your wrist (Colles’ fracture) The break extends into the wrist joint (intra-articular fracture) It stays outside the wrist joint (extra-articular fracture) The bone breaks through the skin (open fracture), which needs urgent medical attention It breaks into several pieces (comminuted fracture) Your specialist will talk you through the type of fracture you have and what it means for your treatment.
What causes a distal radius fracture?
This type of broken wrist typically happens when you fall on an outstretched hand or arm.
Weaker bones can make a fracture more likely after a relatively minor fall. This is more common as we get older.
What are the symptoms of a distal radius fracture?
You’ll usually feel pain around your wrist straight after the injury. The area may swell or feel tender.
Moving your wrist or using your hand can become difficult. If the broken bone has shifted significantly, your wrist may look bent or out of shape.
If the bone breaks through the skin or your fingers become pale or numb, you should get medical help straight away.
How is a distal radius fracture diagnosed?
Your specialist will ask what happened when you hurt your wrist before carefully examining it.
An X-ray can confirm that the bone is broken and show if it has moved out of its usual position.
Sometimes a CT scan gives your specialist a more detailed view. This can be especially helpful if the break extends into the wrist joint or surgery is being considered.
How is a distal radius fracture treated?
Your treatment will depend on how the bone has broken and whether it has moved out of place.
Some fractures can heal while the wrist is supported in a cast or splint. Other breaks need to be carefully realigned so the bone can heal in a better position.
Your specialist may recommend surgery if the bone can’t be kept in the correct position as it heals. They’ll explain their recommended approach and what you can expect during recovery.
Treatment routes for a distal radius fracture
The right option for you depends on the type of break you have and how likely the bone is to stay in the correct position as it heals. Your specialist will discuss the options that are appropriate for your wrist.
If the bone is still in a good position, your wrist may be supported in a cast or splint while it heals.
If the bone has moved out of place, your specialist might be able to gently reposition it without making a surgical cut. This is called a reduction. Your wrist will then usually be supported while the bone heals. You might have further X-rays so your specialist can check that the fracture remains in a good position.
Once it’s safe to begin moving your wrist, you may be given exercises to improve its range of movement gradually. A hand therapist can provide additional support if you need it.
Recovery goals after distal radius fracture treatment
Phase 1 goals:
Protect your wrist using the cast or splint you’ve been given Help control swelling by keeping your hand raised when advised Keep your fingers moving if your care team has told you it’s safe
Phase 2 goals:
Continue protecting the healing bone as advised Attend any follow-up appointments your specialist recommends Have further imaging if your care team needs to check the fracture’s position
Phase 3 goals:
Begin gradually increasing wrist movement when you’ve been told it’s safe Build strength over time with exercises suited to your recovery Return to everyday activities at a pace that feels manageable
Working with Hand and Wrist professionals and teams
Our hand and wrist specialists support professional athletes, sports teams, active individuals and people whose work places high demands on their hands and wrists. Working closely with radiologists, physiotherapists and the wider multidisciplinary team, they provide coordinated care from diagnosis through to rehabilitation, helping each person return safely to sport, work or everyday activities.
The same specialist expertise and collaborative approach are available to every patient, whatever your activity level or recovery goals.
Our Experts - Leaders in Hand and Wrist treatment
How to pay
We offer flexible options depending on how you choose to access care at Fortius. Whichever option you choose, we’ll help make the process clear and straightforward from the start.
Private medical insurance
If your care is covered by private medical insurance, we’ll usually invoice your insurer directly. Please check your policy in advance and request an authorisation code if your insurer requires one. You’ll be responsible for paying any policy excess or costs that aren’t covered by your insurance.
Paying for yourself
You don’t need private medical insurance to access care at Fortius. If you’re paying for your own treatment, our team will explain the costs clearly and provide a personalised quote before you decide whether to go ahead.
Find a clinic near you
Fortius Clinic City
Our City Clinic is conveniently located between Bank and Monument stations, within the historic and financial heart of London. At our modern, two-floor facility we have nine consulting rooms, spacious waiting areas, well equipped treatment rooms and an imaging centre.
Explore our City Clinic with our virtual tour.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground stations are Bank and Monument, exit 6 for King William Street.
Should you be travelling by car, the closest parking is a three minute drive away at NCP Car Park London Vintry Thames Exchange. If you are attending clinic on a weekday, please be aware that we are based in the congestion charge zone.
- 75 King William StreetEC4N 7BE
- 0203 195 2442
- Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- MRI Scan
Fortius Clinic Marylebone
Our Marylebone Clinic is conveniently located in the historic area between Baker Street and Marylebone High Street, just off Manchester Square, home to the iconic Wallace Collection. We have seven consulting rooms, private waiting areas on each floor, well equipped treatment rooms and diagnostic imaging.
- 17 Fitzhardinge StreetW1U 2EU
- 020 3195 2442
- MRI Scan
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
Fortius Clinic Marylebone Wing
Our 79,000 sq ft, seven-story, private hospital on Wigmore Street has 39 en-suite inpatient rooms, consultation and treatment rooms, and a physiotherapy suite.
The hospital has a high-spec imaging suite fully equipped with an MRI, CT scanner and X-ray machine. There are three state-of-the-art operating theatres, two anaesthetic rooms and a recovery bay.
Fortius Clinic London has two Mako robots for hip and knee joint replacements.
- 66 Wigmore StreetW1U 2SB
- +442031952442
- Open 24 hours
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- CT guided injection
- MRI Scan
- CT Scan
Fortius Clinic Wimbledon
Our Wimbledon clinic houses a state-of-the-art imaging centre with a 3T MRI and X-ray scanners, Ultrasound, seven consulting rooms, two spacious waiting areas and well equipped treatment rooms all located on one level, ensuring easy accessibility for all patients.
Our partnership with Spire St Anthony’s Hospital allows us to provide orthopaedic surgery closer to our clinic. We treat a full range of conditions and perform joint replacement surgery using the latest Mako robotic assisted technology.
Take a tour of our clinic virtually through Google 360 views here.
We are open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm, and Saturday mornings from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground station is Wimbledon (District Line), which also has rail and tramlink services from central London and beyond.
There is no parking available at the clinic, but we have a number of parking facilities all within a 10-12 minute walk of the clinic: Centre Court Car Park, Broadway Car Park, and Hartfield Road Car Park. Please note that all of these facilities are paid car parks.
The building at 22 Worple Road has steps leading up to the front entrance. If you require assistance please inform us before your arrival by calling ahead on 020 3195 2442
- 22 Worple RoadSW19 4DD
- 0203 195 2442
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- MRI Scan
1 of 4