Your broken wrist could still hurt after a year due to several potential reasons, including arthritis, nerve or blood vessel damage, and other complications.
Here's a breakdown of the possible causes:
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Arthritis: If the fracture extended into the wrist joint, it can cause arthritis to develop over time. This means the cartilage in the joint is wearing down, leading to pain, swelling, and stiffness. This can occur even a year after the initial injury.
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Nerve Damage: Trauma from the wrist fracture can damage the nerves surrounding the wrist. This can result in persistent pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the hand and fingers.
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Blood Vessel Damage: Similarly, the injury might have affected blood vessels, leading to circulatory issues that contribute to pain and discomfort.
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Nonunion or Malunion: Although less likely after a year, it's possible the fracture didn't heal properly (nonunion) or healed in a misaligned position (malunion). This can cause chronic pain and limited range of motion.
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Ligament or Tendon Damage: Soft tissue injuries to ligaments or tendons around the wrist can also contribute to ongoing pain. These injuries might have been missed initially or not healed completely.
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Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS): In rare cases, a broken wrist can lead to CRPS, a chronic pain condition that causes intense burning pain, swelling, and changes in skin color and temperature.
If you are still experiencing pain a year after breaking your wrist, it's crucial to consult with your doctor for a thorough evaluation. This may include:
- Physical Examination: To assess your range of motion, strength, and identify any specific areas of tenderness.
- X-rays: To check for arthritis, nonunion, or malunion.
- Nerve Conduction Studies: To evaluate nerve function.
- MRI: To assess soft tissue damage, such as ligament or tendon tears.
Based on the evaluation, your doctor can recommend the appropriate treatment options, which may include:
- Pain Management: Medications, physical therapy, or injections to manage pain.
- Physical Therapy: Exercises to improve strength, range of motion, and function.
- Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to address arthritis, nonunion, malunion, or nerve damage.
It is important to get a diagnosis to determine the best course of action for your specific situation. Do not ignore ongoing pain.
