Hand and Wrist Fractures in Austin, TX — Expert Care from Dr. Benjamin Amis | ATX Orthopedics

A fracture of the hand or wrist is one of the most common orthopedic injuries, affecting people of all ages — from young athletes to older adults with a simple fall. When it happens to you, how quickly you get expert care matters. At ATX Orthopedics in Austin, Texas, Dr. Benjamin Amis, MD, a board-certified, fellowship-trained hand and shoulder surgeon, provides same-surgeon evaluation and treatment for hand and wrist fractures — no long referral delays, no rotating coverage providers, and no switching doctors between the ER and the operating room.

Types of Hand and Wrist Fractures

Distal Radius Fracture (Broken Wrist)

The distal radius is the most commonly fractured bone in the body. A Colles’ fracture — the classic broken wrist from a fall on an outstretched hand — is a distal radius fracture. Treatment depends on the severity and displacement of the fracture: minimally displaced fractures may be treated with a cast, while displaced or unstable fractures typically require surgical fixation with a plate and screws. Modern volar locking plate fixation allows most patients to begin moving the wrist within days of surgery and return to full function significantly faster than cast treatment.

Scaphoid Fracture

The scaphoid is a small bone in the wrist that is notoriously difficult to diagnose and treat. Scaphoid fractures often present as “wrist sprains” after a fall, and X-rays may appear normal in the first week. If you have persistent wrist pain and tenderness at the base of the thumb after an injury — even with normal X-rays — an MRI is essential to rule out a scaphoid fracture. Untreated scaphoid fractures can fail to heal (nonunion), leading to progressive wrist arthritis. Early surgical fixation with a headless compression screw offers excellent results and a faster return to activity than casting.

Metacarpal Fractures (Broken Hand)

Metacarpal fractures are breaks in the long bones of the hand connecting the wrist to the fingers. The most common is a boxer’s fracture — a fracture of the neck of the 5th metacarpal (the bone leading to the little finger) typically from striking an object with a closed fist. Many metacarpal fractures can be treated non-surgically with splinting, but fractures with significant angulation, rotation, or shortening require surgical reduction and fixation to restore proper finger alignment and grip strength.

Finger Fractures (Phalangeal Fractures)

Fractures of the proximal, middle, or distal phalanges (the bones of the fingers) require careful attention to alignment. Even small degrees of rotational malalignment in a finger fracture can cause significant functional problems — the fingers may cross over each other when making a fist. Stable, well-aligned fractures are treated with buddy-taping or splinting. Unstable or displaced fractures may require surgical fixation with pins, screws, or plates to restore proper alignment and allow early movement.

Bennett’s and Rolando’s Fractures (Thumb Metacarpal)

These are fractures at the base of the thumb metacarpal involving the joint. They are inherently unstable and almost always require surgical treatment to restore joint congruity and prevent long-term thumb arthritis.

How Are Hand and Wrist Fractures Treated?

The appropriate treatment depends on the bone involved, the fracture pattern, the degree of displacement or comminution, the patient’s hand dominance, occupation, and activity level. Dr. Amis will review your X-rays or advanced imaging at your consultation and walk you through the options clearly — casting, splinting, or surgical fixation — along with realistic timelines for recovery.

Surgically, most hand and wrist fracture procedures are performed at Pinnacle Surgery Center of Austin as outpatient procedures. Many can be performed under regional or local anesthesia using the WALANT (wide-awake) technique, which avoids the risks and recovery time of general anesthesia. Post-operative hand therapy plays an important role in recovering stiffness and strength after fracture fixation, and Dr. Amis will provide you with appropriate referrals and guidance.

Why Prompt, Expert Care Matters for Hand Fractures

Hand fractures that are not properly managed can lead to lasting problems: malunion (healing in a crooked position), joint stiffness, weakness, arthritis, and permanent loss of function. The Austin area has no shortage of emergency rooms and urgent care centers that can provide initial stabilization — but getting definitive, surgeon-directed care quickly from a fellowship-trained hand surgeon makes a real difference in your outcome.

At ATX Orthopedics, you will not wait weeks to see a hand surgeon. You will not be seen by a PA or NP at your follow-up appointment while your surgeon is in the OR. And if surgery is needed, your surgeon will be your surgeon — from the first visit through the final follow-up.

Schedule a Consultation in Austin, TX

If you have sustained a hand or wrist injury and need expert evaluation, contact ATX Orthopedics. Dr. Amis accepts new patients and can provide timely appointments for urgent fracture care. Book online or call (512) 960-4590.

Expert Hand and Wrist Fracture Care in Austin, TX

Dr. Benjamin Amis treats hand and wrist fractures at ATX Orthopedics in Austin, TX at Pinnacle Surgery Center of Austin.

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