Damaged wrist

Sorry first fracture clinic link didn't work so here it is proper:
https://www.nbt.nhs.uk/our-services/a-z-services/emergency-zone/ed-miu-patient-information/wrist-injuries

Also here

www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/muscle-bone-and-joints/arm-shoulder-and-hand-problems-and-conditions/wrist-fracture/

I broke my scaphoid and had a cast for 2 weeks and then a splint. A friend did hers and went straight into a splint.
It depends on the break.
Hairline fractures will just heal on their own.

I’d just strap it up and see how you go.

And that's no slight on office workers! Just meaning that there's likely to be other ways to support the team, or just type 1 handed or dictate. As opposed to say a builder/labourer, firefighter etc where there are less options to move to/manage with the same injury.

Absolutely not something I could judge for your situation, but do you not think she was thinking a day or 2 with a sore wrist? I mean surely most office workers would be expected to return in that kind of time frame even if it were fractured/on the understanding that allowances occur/amended duties as needed?

Here's the guidance around fit notes: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps/getting-a-fit-note/

If your employer demands one in the first 7 days they become chargeable, but if you request following 7 days self certifying they're free.

I had a broken wrist a few years ago, and weeks later my hand was still in agony, more than my wrist.
When I went back to hospital to have the cast removed they gave me another xray and said they had missed originally that my hand was also fractured. What they called a 'boxers fracture' I can't remember the proper name. I wish I had asked for another opinion earlier as by the time it was discovered the bone had already fused, so if you are still in pain don't worry about making a fuss ask for another xray.

I had a shoulder X-ray. Was told nothing was wrong with it. A couple of weeks later asked for the X-rays to be reviewed and was told minor fracture and I would be seen in a virtual fracture clinic. Long story short, I was rushed in for emergency surgery as my shoulder was broken in several places and my rotator cuff was broken and had been for six weeks by the time I got the X-rays properly looked at.

Also as others have pointed out the suspect diagnosis of wrist sprain means it's quite likely you've got some degree of ligament damage. This doesn't show on x-ray but is graded on range of movement or loss of. If they've told you improving over 7-10 days suspect they think you've just got a mild bruising injury.

Sprains typically improve to normal over several months. If you didn't get one there's a good info pack at the following address (wrist sprain leaflet from fracture clinic).

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=www.ruh.nhs.uk/patients/patient_information/ORT_057_Advice_after_a_wrist_sprain.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwitopOes_2JAxWx7AIHHVLeN-kQFnoECDsQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3TsA6ASm6WePM-ClXLgLi1

You should prepare yourself for not having a very fruitful appointment. You need to self certify for 1week off work before they can issue you a med3/sick note. They can't issue them for the future so you'll need to contact them again after the first week if you still need more time.

Also whilst they don't tend to refuse medical notes I do wonder whether they'd say wrist sprain would be a valid reason to be off, obviously typing speed reduced single handed but i do think most employers will take a dim view in regards to multiple weeks off for what you've described. The GP can only really advise that you should return when you feel able to.

Secondly it's quite possible the GP won't be able to see the x-ray, often different systems are used and not accessible. They'd just see your discharge letter which can be quite minimal/might just say you've been discharged with wrist pain.

Essentially they're just going to check your neurovascular status, which will very likely be fine, squeeze your wrist to see where it hurts, which you already know, then try to reassure you you've had an x-ray and thats the standard test.

Even if they can see the x-ray it could have been years since they last interpreted an x-ray/might never have really done it depending on where they've worked. Anyone currently working in a&e is likely going to be more current. It's not normal to have all x-rays interpreted by an orthopedic doctor - anyone who's done the appropriate training course- that can include nurses, paramedics and of course any Dr. There's typically a secondary check or report by the radiographer so if something's missed they'd call you back.

You might have damaged a ligament. Ligament damage doesn't show up on an xray. I had to have an MRI for them to finally realise I wasn't needlessly moaning about my wrist hurting. I was being treated for a fractured shoulder and they completely missed 3 'fractured' ligaments in my wrist.

If you're fit to work go back. If you aren't fit to go back get your GP to issue a sick note which will probably be issued via a phone consultation . I doubt if the diagnosis will affect the recovery time anyway.

I didn't take any time off for my elbow and possible wrist fracture. I have a desk job with typing all day and I was just a bit slower!

I fell while I was running in the summer and fractured my elbow, I also had pain in my wrist so they x-rayed to look for a scaphoid fracture. Nothing showed on the x-ray but gave me a splint they asked me to go back a week later for another x-ray as scaphoid fractures aren't always obvious at the time. Again nothing showed but my wrist was still painful, after a couple of weeks I stopped wearing the splint and just used it as normal. It still catches me occasionally but active recovery is very much recommended now if it's possible, my elbow fracture has healed as well but I worked hard to ensure I regained the movement in the joint.

@Flute56 you didn't answer my questions, are you an anxious person / see the worst?
I can "get inside my own head" about situations and it can make pain worse or make you overthink

Yes, as I said it depends entirely on the location and type of break as to how it is managed. You will only get more answers by consulting someone who can see you and decide what is best to do to investigate and diagnose as necessary though.

Are you an anxious person?

@Flute56
Sprains can be much more painful than breaks
You seem quite determined it's broken do you usually see the worst in a situation?
How many professionals have seen you about it?

Sadly I fell in the summer and thought I had a broken finger. When to have it x rayed and they said to wait and see and that a part of it was difficult to judge but no obvious fracture.

Fast forward and I did what they said and let the swelling go down and went back 10 days later and it is broken and has healed at an angle and I can’t write with that hand. I have to type with my middle fingers. Minor injuries said they couldn’t do anything as bones healing and it can’t be rotated back and now waiting for surgery which will be a year apparently. So go back. Minor injuries clinic?

This is utter rubbish. It depends entirely on the location and type of fracture. Casts are still very much the norm in most cases.

They don't tend to do this initially, these days