If you find yourself continually trying new treatments for your wrist pain, you may have hairline fractures in the bones of your wrist and not even realize it. A wrist fracture may indicate that you have an underlying health condition that’s compromising your bones.
What Could a Wrist Fracture Indicate About My Bones?
Unless your wrist was broken due to blunt-force trauma, some of the possible health issues that could prompt a wrist fracture include the following:
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition that causes your bones to become brittle and weak. In severe cases, even mild pressure to an affected bone may cause it to suddenly fracture. In fact, a fracture due to osteoporosis most often occurs in your wrist, spine, or hip.
Osteoporosis develops when your bones’ cells are not being replaced with new healthy cells quickly enough. When you’re young, your body produces new bone tissue to replace the old bone at a constant pace; however, as we get older, this process slows down. Essentially, the creation of new bone cannot keep up with the loss of older bone, which means your bones are less dense and are therefore more susceptible to fractures.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease, and it occurs when your immune system attacks the lining of your joints. Ultimately, like other forms of arthritis, this causes you to have joint pain, limited range of motion in that joint, and joint swelling.
RA elevates your chances of bone loss, because enzymes are released from the joint membrane and wear away the surrounding bone and cartilage. Ultimately, when this happens, it weakens the bone and makes you more at risk of a fracture.
Studies have found an increased risk of bone loss and fracture in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. People with rheumatoid arthritis are also at an increased risk of developing osteoporosis.
Nutrient Deficiency
If you have a vitamin D deficiency, you decrease the calcium absorption from your kidneys and intestinal tract. This increases your parathyroid hormone concentration, which can cause a condition known as osteolysis. This reduces your bones’ integrity and can therefore increase your risk of wrist fractures.
Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease gradually develops over time. It may stem from uncontrolled high blood pressure or diabetes. When your kidneys cannot function properly, they also no longer activate calcitriol – and this causes low levels of calcium, which is a necessary mineral for strong bones.
Delray Beach Orthopedic Surgeon for Recurring Wrist Fractures
If you’re looking for wrist pain treatment that works, you’ve come to the right place. Dr. Steve Meadows focuses on hand pain and fractures here at South Palm Orthopedics. He understands that recurring fractures can mean you have an underlying condition that weakens your bones, and he will take the time to determine if that’s the case. Dr. Meadows serves Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, and the surrounding areas of Palm Beach County and across South Florida.
To schedule an appointment with Steve Meadows, MD, for wrist pain treatment, contact us at 561-496-6622 or fill out our convenient appointment form. We look forward to seeing you!
