Broken wrist

[BuntyCollocks]

I broke my wrist last week, pretty badly. I’m waiting to hear if I need surgery. My job is one I need my hands for (I’m trying not to out myself), and I didn’t realise how bad it was until the trauma consultant this week started talking about surgery/life altering injury etc. I kind of thought 6 weeks in plaster, back to work, physio on the side, and from what I gather thats not the case. Won’t be back at work after I’m out the cast as I’ll need the physio and we’ll go from there. I’m not even old (40)!

I have a habit of downplaying really bad stuff that happens to me, I think, but it was such a reality check I was taken aback.

anyway, I’m actually posting to ask has anyone been in a similar situation and if so, what realistically what am I looking at potentially in terms of recovery? I am aware everyone is different, but it would be good to hear some real life experiences please

I broke my left wrist seven years ago. I had surgery on it the next day.

It continued to be painful for a fortnight, and definitely uncomfortable for nearly a year. I wore a wrist support all that time. Driving made it ache.

Luckily I was already retired so I didn't have to worry about work. It would have been difficult as I was a midwife and would have needed to wash my hands a hundred times a day, and wearing a wrist support would have been difficult.

I am afraid I don't have answers OP, but when I damaged a shoulder that took a really long time to get back to normal, though that was muscle damage rather than a broken bone.

Are you set up okay in terms of sick pay/insurance etc?

Hopefully someone who has more knowledge than me will be along with their experience soon.

Thank you - really helpful and really hard road ahead I think!

Luckily I get 6 months full pay, so pay isn’t a huge concern as I’m really hoping I’d be back (although maybe not brilliant by the sounds of things 😔) by that point. I’m sure I e got something through my husbands work and my union potentially as well. What a mess.

hi bunty and apologies for any mistakes as I'm typing one handed. also can't do capitals .
broke left wrist 15 days ago. spent 8 days in plaster and had operation to insert plate and screws on wednesday. day surgery . not suitable for general anaesthetic so had a nerve block. ugh .bandage being taken off today. have been told 2-3 weeks for op pain to go and then 2-3 months for total pain relief. but more minor aches can continue longer.
no physio suggested but given a booklet of exercises to do at home. currently hand is like a balloon and fingers like giant sausages. recommend u get good painkillers from gp as paracetomol not enough.
trying to keep positive and having a good rest from domestics.

good luck to you. time to keep up with trashy tv and good books. xx

ps also meant to say no plaster after op. just heavy bandaging.

bought a thing called a LIMBO from amazon which fits over whole arm for showering. a lifesaver.

Crikey, ancient, sounds like you’re in a very similar situation just a bit further along! I’m so sorry for you! Have cocodamol atm but dihydracodeine when first did it which was a life saver. Thank you for sharing and hope you heal soon and well - have my big arm condom (limbo) as well haha. Ugh - tried to get me to have nerve block but I wanted sedation and the plaster guy I saw again this week said was the right choice with how much they had to mess with it - I can’t imagine how that would have been for you 😔