Smith Fracture
Smith Fracture Treatment & Physiotherapy RehabilitationA Smith fracture is a type of wrist fracture involving a break in the distal radius bone near the wrist, where the broken fragment shifts downward toward the palm side of the hand. It is sometimes referred to as a reverse Colles fracture. This injury commonly occurs due to falls onto a bent wrist, sports injuries, road accidents, or direct trauma to the wrist. A Smith fracture can cause pain, swelling, deformity, stiffness, and difficulty using the hand and wrist. Physiotherapy rehabilitation after medical or surgical treatment helps restore wrist movement, improve strength, reduce stiffness, and regain normal hand function.
A Smith fracture is a type of wrist fracture involving a break in the distal radius bone near the wrist, where the broken fragment shifts downward toward the palm side of the hand. It is sometimes referred to as a reverse Colles fracture. This injury commonly occurs due to falls onto a bent wrist, sports injuries, road accidents, or direct trauma to the wrist. A Smith fracture can cause pain, swelling, deformity, stiffness, and difficulty using the hand and wrist. Physiotherapy rehabilitation after medical or surgical treatment helps restore wrist movement, improve strength, reduce stiffness, and regain normal hand function.
Common symptoms include:
- Severe wrist pain
- Swelling around the wrist
- Tenderness over the fractured area
- Difficulty moving the wrist or hand
- Wrist deformity
- Reduced grip strength
- Bruising around the wrist
- Pain during lifting or gripping objects
- Stiffness after immobilization
A Smith fracture may occur due to:
- Falls on a flexed wrist
- Sports injuries
- Road traffic accidents
- Direct trauma to the wrist
- High-impact injuries
- Workplace accidents
Diagnosis includes physical examination and imaging tests to assess the fracture and wrist alignment. Tests may include:
- Physical examination
- X-rays
- CT scan in selected cases
- Wrist mobility assessment
- Grip strength evaluation
Physiotherapy rehabilitation helps restore wrist mobility, improve strength, reduce pain, and improve functional hand use.
- Ice therapy to reduce pain and swelling
- TENS therapy for pain management
- Heat therapy during later recovery stages
- Gentle soft tissue mobilization
Manual therapy techniques help improve joint mobility, reduce stiffness, and restore normal wrist and hand movement.
Customized rehabilitation exercises help improve flexibility, strength, and coordination.
- Grip strengthening exercises
- Wrist strengthening exercises
- Forearm strengthening exercises
- Finger strengthening exercises
- Elbow and shoulder strengthening exercises
- Wrist mobility exercises
- Forearm stretching exercises
- Finger flexibility exercises
- Range of motion exercises
Functional activity training helps patients safely return to work, sports, and daily activities.
Patients are guided on safe lifting techniques, wrist positioning, and activity modification during recovery.
- Experienced orthopedic physiotherapists
- Personalized rehabilitation programs
- One-on-one physiotherapy sessions
- Advanced wrist rehabilitation techniques
- Focus on restoring strength and mobility
- Evidence-based rehabilitation care
- Guidance for home exercises and injury prevention
If you are recovering from a Smith fracture and experiencing wrist pain, stiffness, or difficulty using your hand, our physiotherapy team can help support your recovery safely and effectively. Book your physiotherapy consultation today for expert Smith fracture rehabilitation and personalized physiotherapy care.
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