The wrist is where the bones in the hand meet the two forearm bones (the radius and the ulna). A broken wrist is a fracture in any of these bones. Your child has a fracture in the radius at the end where they join the wrist.

The healthcare provider put a splint on your child’s wrist. A splint is a support that helps protect a broken bone and keeps it from moving while it heals.

In a few days, an orthopedic specialist (bone doctor) may replace the splint with a cast. Most wrist fractures heal well when the wrist is protected and follow-up care instructions are followed carefully. Rarely, other treatments are needed.

Follow your healthcare provider's instructions for:

• Whether your child can remove the splint for bathing and sleeping
• Any activities your child needs to avoid
• When to follow up with the orthopedic specialist

For pain and swelling:

• Prop up the wrist on pillows when your child is sitting down or sleeping.
• Remind your child to wiggle the uninjured fingers and the thumb to keep blood circulating normally.
• When your child is awake, put ice in a plastic bag wrapped in a towel on the wrist for 20 minutes every three hours for up to two days. Don't put ice directly on the skin.
• If the healthcare provider said it’s OK, you can give medicine such as acetaminophen (Tylenol® or a store brand) or ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®, or a store brand). Follow the package directions for how much to give and how often.

Daily care for the splint:

• Don't remove or change the position of the splint unless the healthcare provider said it's OK.
• Check the area around the splint. Make sure the skin isn't scratched, and the thumb and fingers aren't pale, blue, numb, or tingling.
• Make sure your child doesn't pick at or scratch under the splint.
• Don't put anything in the splint. Make sure your child doesn't put toys, food, or anything else into it.
• Keep dirt, sand, lotion, and powder away from the splint.

Keep the splint dry:

• No swimming.
• Younger children can get a sponge bath. For regular baths or showers, you can cover the splint with:
  • Two plastic bags sealed at the top with a rubber band (or tape)
  • Plastic wrap covered with a plastic bag that is sealed at the top
  • A waterproof cast protector
• If the splint gets splashed, blow air into it from a hair dryer on the cool setting.

• Blisters, rashes, or raw spots appear on the skin around the splint.
• Your child's pain isn't helped by pain medicine.
• The fingers become very swollen.
• The splint is too loose or too tight.
• The splint gets wet, is damaged, or has a foul odor.

Your child can't move the fingers, or the fingers turn white, purple, or blue.

What is the radius bone? The radius is the bone on the thumb side of the arm between the elbow and wrist.

What causes wrist fractures? Often, arm fractures happen when kids hold out their arms to stop a fall. The pressure on the bone causes it to crack, usually at the end near the wrist.

What is the difference between a splint and a cast? Both support and protect the broken bone while it heals. In a cast, the hard part goes all the way around the injured area. But in a splint, the hard part only goes partway around the injured area (this allows space for swelling). The splint is held in place with an elastic bandage or Velcro® straps.