Injury of radial artery at wrist and hand level Save

Injury of Radial Artery at Wrist and Hand Level: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

The radial artery is one of the major arteries in the forearm that supplies blood to the hand and wrist. Injury to the radial artery at wrist and hand level can be a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. This type of injury can occur due to various causes, such as trauma, fractures, or lacerations.

Causes of Radial Artery Injury

Injury to the radial artery at wrist and hand level can occur due to various causes, including:

1. Trauma: Trauma is the most common cause of radial artery injury. It can occur due to a direct blow to the wrist or hand, such as in a car accident, sports injury, or fall.
2. Fractures: Fractures in the wrist or hand can also cause injury to the radial artery. When bones break, they can damage nearby blood vessels, including the radial artery.
3. Lacerations: Deep cuts or lacerations in the wrist or hand can cause injury to the radial artery. This can occur due to sharp objects, such as knives or broken glass.

Symptoms of Radial Artery Injury

The symptoms of radial artery injury can vary depending on the severity of the injury. Some of the common symptoms include:

1. Bleeding: Bleeding from the wrist or hand is a common symptom of radial artery injury. The bleeding may be severe and difficult to control.
2. Pain: Pain in the wrist or hand is another common symptom of radial artery injury. The pain may be severe and may worsen with movement.
3. Numbness: Numbness or tingling in the fingers or hand may occur due to reduced blood supply to the affected area.
4. Weakened pulse: A weakened or absent pulse in the wrist or hand may indicate an injury to the radial artery.
5. Coolness: The affected hand or fingers may feel cool to the touch due to reduced blood flow.

Treatment of Radial Artery Injury

Treatment for radial artery injury at wrist and hand level depends on the severity of the injury. In cases of mild injury, conservative treatment may be sufficient, such as applying pressure to the affected area to stop bleeding and immobilizing the affected hand or wrist to prevent further damage.

In cases of severe injury, surgery may be necessary to repair the damaged artery and restore blood flow to the affected area. This may involve a procedure called vascular reconstruction, in which a portion of the damaged artery is removed and replaced with a graft.

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