Advice and resources : Colles fracture

How can we help

Self-care information sheet

Download this information as a PDF document.

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How can we help

Self-care information sheet

Download this information as a PDF document.

Download

Advice and treatment

A Colles fracture is a break in the radius bone of the forearm, just above the wrist.

Your wrist has been in plaster so that the bone ends can stay in the position and be protected while healing.

You may experience the following common effects when the plaster is removed.

Dry and flaky skin

Twice a day, (if there are no unhealed areas) soak your hand in warm, dry well, and then massage with a moisturising cream e.g. E45, Aqueous, Nivea, to remove dry skin, improve the circulation and reduce any swelling.

Swelling

Repeat the following regularly during the day to help reduce hand and wrist swelling.

Elevate the hand, limit hanging the hand down by your side
Pumping the hand regularly, raising and lowering the arm
Apply frozen peas, in a damp towel, for up to 10 minutes – but do not place ice directly onto your skin. Do not use if you have any changes in sensation in your hand or wrist.

Pain

Pain can persist for up to a year after a fracture, though it should slowly reduce over time.
Should the pain be severe or continuous, contact your GP for some prescribed pain relief.

Weakness of grip

Grip strength is always reduced when you first come out of plaster because you haven’t used your hand fully for a while, and the muscles are weakened. Start with light activities to begin
using your hand as normal as possible. Be guided by your paint and avoid any heavy lifting or carrying activities until your grip is stronger.

Stiffness

It is normal for your joint to be stiff as it has been immobilised in the plaster for several weeks.

You may also find that your shoulder, elbow, fingers, or thumb are stiff after weeks without exercise.

Early mobility exercises

Try these exercises 2-3 times a day, repeating them 10 times each time. Stretching is normal, but if any are causing pain, stop them.

Images credit: Wibbi.com

Thumb/finger opposition

Touch thumb to each fingertip in turn, stretching away from the fingers in between.

Thumb touching fourth finger tip and then little finger tip

Wrist extension

Support your forearm on a table with your hand overhanging.

Move your hand up and down.

Arm resting while sat, with hand pointed down and overhanging, and then hand pointing straight up.

Elbow flexion/supination

Stand and bend your elbow and then straighten your elbow.

Person standing straight with arms by their sides, and then bending on to bring hand to shoulder.

Fist to straight

Support your elbow on a table with your wrist straight and your fingers pointing towards the ceiling.

Make a fist (thumb over fingers).

Straighten your fingers and bring them apart.

Fist with a thumb poking out, then with the thumb resting over the fingers, then the hand with fingers and thumb straightened out.

Wrist deviation without gravity

Forearm supported on table, hold fingers and wrist straight.

Bend wrist first towards the little finger and then towards the thumb.

Hand on table at an angle from the wrist.

Active forearm supination/pronation

Forearm on a table, turn palm up and down, keeping elbow still.

Person sat at a table with one arm by their side and the lower part of the other lying flat, palm down, and then palm up.

Supported finger abduction

Palm on a table, spread fingers and bring them together.

A hand flat palm-down on a table with fingers spread.

Supported ball squeeze

Support your forearm on a table and hold a soft ball or sponge.

Squeeze the ball or sponge, hold for 5 seconds and relax.

When to seek help

If you feel these exercises are making your symptoms worse, take a break. You can also speak to your GP for further help. This doesn’t mean it’s anything too serious. It may be that you need some extra help to deal with the symptoms, and you may be referred to a physiotherapist.