I think I may have broken my wrist?

Bones, joints and muscles
1

I fell off my bike yesterday and put my left hand out to break the fall. My hand bent backwards with the impact, Now there is something hard sticking out under the skin, on the underside of my wrist. I think it's a bone. It is not painful, but something it is wrong. Should I see my GP tomorrow? (closed today - Sunday) Or do I need to go to A and E today? Thank you

2

Go to A & E today. Your GP can't do xrays for you. When I fell, I didn't think I had a fracture at first and the nurse looked surprised when I showed my wrist but I did have a simple fracture. You don't want to cause further damage.

3

yes katejo11 is right. it sounds like you may have a fracture , if you go to your GP he will have to send you for an xray to be sure whats going on and thats assuming you can get a GP appointment tomorrow so you might as well go to A and E or at the very least a walk in centre

Probably best not to use the wrist until someone looks at it 

4

OK thank you, I will. Can I call 111? Do you think they would mind?

5

they  wont mind but most of the 111 staff are not medicss or nurses they follow a very  rigid algorism which directs their questions based on what you tell them. Its pretty likely they ( or your GP) will send you for an Xray The only way to be sure is for someone to look at it I would go somewhere asap where do you live

 

6

A broken arm or wrist is usually caused by a fall onto an outstretched arm. 

How can I tell if the arm or wrist is broken?

A broken arm or wrist bone will be extremely painful and there may also be:

swelling or tenderness around the injured area

bleeding, if the bone has damaged the tissue and skin

These symptoms may also occur if your arm or wrist is sprained rather than broken (read about sprains and strains). An X-ray in hospital is the only way to confirm whether or not the bone is broken.

If it's a clean break, you may have heard a snap or a grinding noise during the accident. The bone can break straight across, diagonally, or in a spiral pattern.

In severe cases, the bone may break into many pieces (comminuted), stick out at an angle or poke through the skin (open or compound fracture).

7

OK, thank you. I live in Plymouth Devon. Nearest hospital is Derriford. But I think there's a minor injuries unit somewhere here too? Neville

8

OK thank you Lotsofpain, your advice is much appreciated!  Neville

9

let us know how it goes looks like these places have x ray and plaster rooms

Service Lead: Diane OliverMinor Injuries Unit

Cumberland Centre

Damerel Close

Plymouth

PL1 4JZ

Tel: (01752) 434390

Opening times: 08:30 - 21:00

 

Minor Injuries Unit

South Hams Hospital (Kingsbridge)

Plymouth Road

Kingsbridge

Devon

TQ7 1AT

Tel: (01548) 852349

Opening times: 09:00 - 17:00

 

Minor Injuries Unit

Tavistock Hospital

Spring Hill

Tavistock

PL19 8LD

Tel: (01822) 612233

Opening times: 08:00 - 22:00

10

OK. yes thanks, I will go to the Cumberland Centre tomorrow Neville

11

Yes, 

12

I just went to my GP, he said it's nothing. So how come my wrist is very swollen? Neville

13

What sort of nothing did your GP say it was  What did he say to do. Any fall or impact is likely to lead to some swelling.  Apply ice regularly Maybe a support bandage

14

Many thanks. My GP seems to know less than you. I will do as you say. .