The Mitcheltonn-SCOTT rider crashed in the finale of stage seven in Maddolini and was forced to abandon the race after hospital scans confirmed the wrist injury despite being in the lead.
The 37-year-old travelled back to the Netherlands for surgery with her season seemingly over for the immediate future, but has become more optimistic about a possible return post-surgery.
Van Vleuten disclosed to Dutch news outlet Nos.nl that she is not ruling out a return at the World Championships in Imola having taken out the rainbow jersey at last year's event in Yorkshire.
"My doctors think very much in terms of possibilities, I was surprised about that," Van Vleuten said. "It's not a complicated break."
"I look at it day by day and do everything I can to recover optimally. You never know."
Van Vleuten revealed doctors had fitted her with a special wrist brace in order to accelerate her possible recovery, and was cleared to attempt to ride outside again on Tuesday.
"It went well, I am hopeful," Van Vleuten said. "According to the doctors it is safe to cycle outside with a brace. I have no pain on the bike. The brace provides extra strength. I don't think it is necessary, but it will be nice for four hours of racing."
With the women's road race at the World Championships taking place on Saturday, Van Vleuten is preparing to make her decision on Friday on whether she will compete with the Dutch national team.
Watch the UCI World Championships live on SBS, starting from Thursday the 24th of September with the Women's Elite Time trial from 10:40pm AEST on SBS On Demand.
