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Each year, more than 300,000 people in the U.S. and approximately 1 million people worldwide break their wrist. Although wrist breaks can happen to anyone of any age through a variety of activities from skateboarding, to falling from a ladder, to slipping on ice women are most commonly affected, primarily because of osteoporosis. In fact, one in six females over the age of 55 will have at least one wrist fracture in their lifetime.
The most common wrist break is a Colles Fracture (named after the doctor who first diagnosed this type of break). This type of break occurs when a person stretches out hand in front of them to break a fall. The hand and forearm take all the weight and force from the fall and causes the wrist bones to break.
Following a fall, you may be bruised and sore. Most people will go to the hospital emergency room or clinic and seen by a doctor. Normally an X-ray of the wrist will be taken to confirm a sprain or fracture.
Your wrist is probably broken rather than sprained if you have:
persistent pain
swelling near the wrist
changes in finger movement
numbness
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