A distal radius fracture occurs when the radius bone in your forearm breaks close to the wrist. It’s one of the most common bone breaks, happening in nearly one-sixth of all emergency room-treated fractures. Learning what causes a distal radius fracture can help you recognize risk factors and avoid this disabling injury.
The Anatomy of a Distal Radius Fracture
It’s helpful to know what anatomy is involved before looking into causes:
The radius is the larger of your two forearm bones that run from your elbow to your wrist on the side of your thumb. The “distal” is the portion that is closest to your wrist. This area absorbs most of the force when you extend your arm out to break your fall, so it’s particularly vulnerable to breaking.
Common Reasons for Distal Radius Fracture
1. Outstretched Hand Falls
Falling onto an outstretched hand is by far the most common reason for a fracture of the distal radius. It occurs when, slipping or tripping, our initial reaction is to throw out our hand in front of us to absorb our fall. This protective reaction puts enormous pressure across the wrist, typically fracturing one of the bones of the distal radius. This mechanism accounts for around 80% of all fractures.
2. High-Impact Activities
Activities that involve higher speeds or heights increase fracture risk due to greater force during falls:
- Skiing and snowboarding accidents
- Skateboarding or rollerblading falls
- Bicycle or motorcycle crashes
- Sports injuries (especially contact sports)
- Falls from ladders or heights
3. Vehicle Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents and car crashes sometimes produce distal radius fractures when the wrist is forced into the steering wheel, dashboard, or other surfaces due to impact. High-energy injuries produce more complicated patterns of fractures.
4. Direct Wrist Impact
Although less frequent, a direct blow to the wrist—like colliding with a hard object or slamming the wrist against an immovable object—can result in a distal radius fracture.
Risk Factors That Heighten Susceptibility
Some characteristics make others more likely to suffer a distal radius fracture:
Age-Related Factors
- Children: Their developing bones contain growth plates (regions of growing cartilage) close to the distal radius that are weaker than mature bone and especially susceptible to injury.
- Older Adults: With age, bones gradually lose strength and density. A condition, osteoporosis, in which bones become porous and brittle, renders even small falls potentially fracture-inducing events.
Bone Disorders
- Osteoporosis: This disorder markedly reduces bone structure, increasing fracture risk from fairly minor trauma. Women aged more than 50 are particularly at risk because of hormonal changes during menopause.
- Nutritional Deficiencies:A lack of adequate vitamin D and calcium can contribute to weaker, more easily fracturing bones.
Environmental Risk Factors
- Slippery Surfaces: Wet flooring, icy walks, and unrestrained rugs put falls at increased risk.
- Poor Lighting: Low visibility increases the likelihood of trip hazards.
- Inadequate Safety Equipment: Not having wrist guards while performing high-risk sports such as skateboarding or inline skating raises the risk of injury.
Recognizing a Distal Radius Fracture
After experiencing one of these causes, common signs of a distal radius fracture include:
- Immediate pain and tenderness in the wrist
- Swelling and bruising
- Visible deformity (sometimes described as a “dinner fork” appearance)
- Difficulty moving the wrist or fingers
- Pain that increases with wrist movement
Prevention Strategies
Although not every distal radius fracture cause can be prevented, these actions reduce risk:
- Regular screening of bone density among high-risk patients
- Vitamin D and calcium supplements, when necessary
- Removing tripping hazards and making your home fall-proof
- Utilizing assistive devices such as handrails on stairs
- Wearing protective equipment during high-risk behaviors
- Strengthening exercises for improved balance and coordination
Understanding what causes distal radius fracture is the first step in prevention. If you experience pain in your wrist following a fall or blow, seek immediate medical attention for proper diagnosis and treatment.
