Understanding this injury
After a wrist fracture — whether you fell on an outstretched hand, took a tumble off a bike, or had a sports collision — the bone heals in a cast, but the wrist that comes out of that cast is rarely the wrist you had going in. Stiffness, weakness, swelling, and loss of fine motor control are normal, and they don't fix themselves.
That's where rehab comes in. The 6-12 weeks after the cast comes off (or after surgery, if you had plates and screws) are the most important window to restore full motion, strength, and confidence in your hand. Skip this step and you risk permanent stiffness, chronic pain, and weakness that affects everything from opening jars to holding a steering wheel.
Common symptoms
- Stiffness after cast or surgical fixation
- Weakness in grip and pinch strength
- Swelling in the wrist and hand
- Difficulty with fine motor tasks
What causes it
- Falls onto an outstretched hand (FOOSH) — the #1 cause
- Sports injuries (snowboarding, skateboarding, cycling)
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Workplace falls from ladders or scaffolding
- Osteoporosis-related low-impact fractures in older adults
Who's most at risk
- Anyone recovering from a casted or surgically-fixed wrist fracture
- Older adults with osteoporosis
- Athletes returning to contact or impact sports
- Workers in physically demanding jobs
- People with diabetes (heal more slowly)
How we treat it
Your PT will start by carefully assessing your range of motion, grip strength, swelling, and how your hand and forearm are functioning together. Early sessions focus on safely restoring motion — gentle joint mobilizations of the wrist and the small bones of the hand, soft-tissue work to break up scar tissue, and edema management to control swelling.
Once motion returns, we progressively add strengthening for the wrist, forearm, and grip. We use putty, resistance bands, weighted exercises, and functional tasks so your hand is ready for whatever your life demands — typing, lifting, parenting, sport. If you had surgery, we coordinate carefully with your surgeon's protocol so we don't push the hardware too soon. Throughout, we work to prevent the most common post-fracture complications: stiffness, chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS), and long-term weakness.
If your symptoms aren't improving in 2-3 weeks, are getting worse, or starting to limit daily activities, call us or schedule an appointment online today — early intervention almost always means a faster, fuller recovery.
Recovery timeline
Most patients regain functional motion in 6-8 weeks of PT after the cast comes off, full strength in 3-4 months, and complete recovery in 6 months. Older adults and complex fractures may take longer.
What you can do at home today
- Move the fingers, elbow, and shoulder daily — even while still in the cast
- Elevate the hand above heart level whenever you can to reduce swelling
- Use a small soft ball for gentle squeeze reps once cleared by your PT
- Apply ice for 10-15 minutes after exercise sessions
- Don't push through sharp pain — soreness is OK, sharp pain isn't
These tips support recovery but don't replace a professional evaluation. If you're unsure or symptoms worsen, please reach out.
When to call us right away
If you notice increasing pain instead of decreasing, a hand that's becoming shiny, purple, or extremely sensitive to touch, or sudden loss of motion, contact us immediately — these can be early signs of CRPS and need prompt treatment.