Fractured wrist

[Dion]

After my bike mishap on Monday afternoon and a trip to emerg it was determined via x rays that I had fractured my wrist quite badly and in an unusual place. I was sent to the Rockyview where an orthopedic surgeon put in a plate and 7 screws to keep the bone in place.

I would like to hear from anyone who has done something similar to thier wrist.

How long the pain lasted?

How long you were in a cast?

Did you get full movement back in your wrist?

Thanks in advance

[Robotic]

Buddy of mine had a similar fracture while snowboarding. We had to take him to the Banff hospital and the surgeon was quite excited as he rarely gets to preform this kind of surgery. Didn't know what to think about that, only glad it wasn't me...

If I recall correctly the pain didn't last very long, and he was in a cast for about a month. Still had to take it easy the next couple weeks after. He has a pretty bad ass scar on his wrist.

Never did get 100% movement back, but it was close to 90%. I guess it just depends on physio.

[GreatWhiteEbola]

Speedy recovery. Did you break your scaphoid bone? I have a friend who has endured many surgeries trying to repair his scaphoid.

[Minnie]

Like GWE, I am wondering if it's the scaphoid. I had a very minor fracture there that didn't require surgery, so I can't speak to recovery, etc, if that's where your break is. However, I hope your wrist heals up quick and without lasting damage.

[REDVAN]

Main question- how are you typing such a long post with one hand...

[BlackArcher101]

Originally Posted by REDVAN

Main question- how are you typing such a long post with one hand...

With prior experience and practice?

[awildermode]

Originally Posted by Dion

I would like to hear from anyone who has done something similar to thier wrist.

the short version:

full speed into goal. wrist folded over crossbar. dislocated, broken, and shattered my wrist. top of radius was shattered in 5-7 pieces...then broken...and dislocated. small chip in ulna.

How long the pain lasted?

not much pain until after surgery. after surgery, about 2-3 days. ah, but i had to have two surgeries.

How long you were in a cast?

was only in temporary cast (like a taco) after they reset the dislocation and kinda set the bone. waited a week for swelling to go down before surgery, no cast after surgery only wraps. although, i did have a custom brace

Did you get full movement back in your wrist?

about 95%

bending the wrist back (palm up) is pretty much 100%, about 90 degrees. bending it down, i can get to about 80-85%.

Thanks in advance

my best advice, do all the exercises the physical therapist gives you...then do more. get plenty of rest.

it will be awhile before you can put any weight on it, like riding a bike. i was able to stick handle and shoot the puck way before i could ride a bike or do push ups.

hope that helps, get some rest

[Shawnski]

Originally Posted by REDVAN

Main question- how are you typing such a long post with one hand...

There is probably another "long post" and "one hand" to worry about at this point....

[Dion]

Originally Posted by awildermode

the short version:

full speed into goal. wrist folded over crossbar. dislocated, broken, and shattered my wrist. top of radius was shattered in 5-7 pieces...then broken...and dislocated. small chip in ulna.

not much pain until after surgery. after surgery, about 2-3 days. ah, but i had to have two surgeries.

was only in temporary cast (like a taco) after they reset the dislocation and kinda set the bone. waited a week for swelling to go down before surgery, no cast after surgery only wraps. although, i did have a custom brace

about 95%

bending the wrist back (palm up) is pretty much 100%, about 90 degrees. bending it down, i can get to about 80-85%.


my best advice, do all the exercises the physical therapist gives you...then do more. get plenty of rest.

it will be awhile before you can put any weight on it, like riding a bike. i was able to stick handle and shoot the puck way before i could ride a bike or do push ups.

hope that helps, get some rest

I,m in a half cast kept together with a tensor bandage and will go to the cast clinic in 2 weeks. At that time they will take out the staples and look at how the wrist is healing and put on a permanent one.

Biggest problem for me right now is all the swelling from the operation and the associated pain. It hurts more than when i first injured it.

Haven't seen the xrays but i suspect i will see it at the cast clinic where the ortho will examine my wrist. He never takled to me after the surgery and had to ask someone in post op how it went.

Was told i fractured a small bone and if i didn't have the plate inserted there was a good chance it would break again with use.

Right now i have the massage my fingers and flex them to help reduce the swelling. I will definately be doing the physio. I need to get my wrist ready for golf next summer and want to avoid any arthritis and stiffness that might set in. I'm 55 years old and at my age you worry about things not healing properly.

Pain meds is allowing me to sleep lots.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Minnie

Like GWE, I am wondering if it's the scaphoid. I had a very minor fracture there that didn't require surgery, so I can't speak to recovery, etc, if that's where your break is. However, I hope your wrist heals up quick and without lasting damage.

Wasn't told which bone it was.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by REDVAN

Main question- how are you typing such a long post with one hand...

I'm a hunt and peck type typist

[Minnie]

Originally Posted by Dion

Wasn't told which bone it was.

Ah. Well, just curious mostly. Scaphoid fractures are common with FOOSHs, is what I was told, so given the details of your accident, it made me curious. I FOOSH'd, which is what resulted in my minor scaphoid fracture.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Robotic

Buddy of mine had a similar fracture while snowboarding. We had to take him to the Banff hospital and the surgeon was quite excited as he rarely gets to preform this kind of surgery. Didn't know what to think about that, only glad it wasn't me...

If I recall correctly the pain didn't last very long, and he was in a cast for about a month. Still had to take it easy the next couple weeks after. He has a pretty bad ass scar on his wrist.

Never did get 100% movement back, but it was close to 90%. I guess it just depends on physio.

I suspect i will have a nice scar also. My fracture was quite unique as my surgeon hadn't seen something like mine in quite awhile. He did say there is a risk of stiffness, arthritis and possible nerve damage. If i could get 90% + movement back i'd be happy.

Be glad it wasn,t you. It's not a pleasent experience and i'm still in shock about how it happen. The whole event likes to replay in my mind when i'm sleeping

On a bright note i got the penthouse view at the Rockyview with my room window looking out over the Glenmore resov. The nursing staff was great also.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Minnie

Ah. Well, just curious mostly. Scaphoid fractures are common with FOOSHs, is what I was told, so given the details of your accident, it made me curious. I FOOSH'd, which is what resulted in my minor scaphoid fracture.

I will be asking what bone it was when i see the ortho surgeon in 2 weeks. I have some unanswred questions i'd like to get answers for.

[WilderPegasus]

Shattered my radius bone into a million pieces according to my surgeon in early March who put in a plate and a bunch of pins. Had the whole bandage/brace thing for two weeks then a cast for three weeks.

The only really painful part was doing business on the throne the first time after being on the pain meds. Even when I initially did it it was more uncomfortable than painful. I only took the pain meds for a day or two before I stopped taking them for pain. I still take them at night to sleep though for about a week.

I've regained normal range of motion in my wrist and my surgeon said that next month I can resume any activities I want. I don't have any further appointments with either him or my physiotherapist because there's no need for them.

I do have a four inch scar on the inside of my wrist but it's fine.

[Cuz]

I feel your pain. Did your surgeon say if there was any ligament damage? For your sake I hope not.

I am currently in a cast for a TFCC tear in my left wrist. I injured it in the middle of June golfing when I caught the lip of a fairway bunker on my follow through. It didn't start to hurt until two days later when I put some weight on it. I only finally got a firm diagnosis two weeks ago (when the cast was put on) and I was working through this for a month until the pain level became too much (transit operator, kinda hard to drive a bus with one hand). Unfortunatey the pain only seems to be getting worse, so it might require surgery.

I recommend stopping by a home care centre to get a reuseable cover for your cast when showering. It is so much easier than trying to tape a garbage bag around it. Mine cost $35 plus tax, while worth the convienience factor.

And for someone who is used to touch typing, it is a royal pain typing with just one hand.

[Minnie]

Oh yeah...the pain meds. Since I'm sure you're not a delicate flower of the Victorian age and you won't get the vapors from the mere mention, I'm sure I can say this. They will cause constipation and can back you up something terrible. Our docs recommended upping fiber intake, upping water/fluid intake and a stool softener as opposed to a stimulant laxative, to help keep things moving as they should.

[nieuwy-89]

Sorry about your mishap. I shattered my scaphoid last July in a cycling incident.

The recovery from surgery was the most painful part, especially the first 48 hours. The pain goes away quickly, but get used to the cast. I was in a cast for 3 months.

The casting was worth it, as it allowed the bone to heal fully. Once the cast was removed I had 6 weeks of physio (2 sessions per week) where I regained full mobility. It took about another 3-4 months to regain full strength.

A long road to recovery, but it is an injury that should fully heal with proper care and time.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Cuz

I feel your pain. Did your surgeon say if there was any ligament damage? For your sake I hope not.

I am currently in a cast for a TFCC tear in my left wrist. I injured it in the middle of June golfing when I caught the lip of a fairway bunker on my follow through. It didn't start to hurt until two days later when I put some weight on it. I only finally got a firm diagnosis two weeks ago (when the cast was put on) and I was working through this for a month until the pain level became too much (transit operator, kinda hard to drive a bus with one hand). Unfortunatey the pain only seems to be getting worse, so it might require surgery.

I recommend stopping by a home care centre to get a reuseable cover for your cast when showering. It is so much easier than trying to tape a garbage bag around it. Mine cost $35 plus tax, while worth the convienience factor.

And for someone who is used to touch typing, it is a royal pain typing with just one hand.

No ligament damage.

The nurse gave me some no wet tape and some bags to cover my cast when i take a shower. I will definately check out your suggestion - thanks

One finger typing really slows things down but hey time is all i have until the wrist heals.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Minnie

Oh yeah...the pain meds. Since I'm sure you're not a delicate flower of the Victorian age and you won't get the vapors from the mere mention, I'm sure I can say this. They will cause constipation and can back you up something terrible. Our docs recommended upping fiber intake, upping water/fluid intake and a stool softener as opposed to a stimulant laxative, to help keep things moving as they should.

Right now i'm grumpy and miserable so you can say anything you want

Was given those same reccommendations from the nurse this morning before i left the hospital. The backups are a pain in the rearend - if you know what i mean The sooner i can come off the meds the better.