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Original poster

Broken Wrist

7 replies

NervyWegovy · 05/07/2025 01:23

Anyone with experience with a broken wrist can I ask for your experience?

I broke mine last weekend but its been in a cast since Monday after being forced by relatives and ive been pretty lucky they've not really made me do anything but I feel guilty and useless so today I offered to cook with some help most of the prep was done for me but I fried off some sausage rasher things and I couldn't get the movement so ended up using my hand to turn them and carried one plate at a time then realised I was holding my phone in that hand as it was hurting and now is generally more painful

How long before I can start doing stuff?

OP posts:
Kimwestonhelpless · 05/07/2025 02:16

My Dw was three months before being able to go back to work a physical job I may add.
Hope your recovery time is shorter.

HarkerandBarker · 05/07/2025 02:38

Omg I feel for you. I broke my wrist and needed metal plate nearly three years ago. Still have to be careful. My nephew broke his recently but has been a much better patient than me. He's just been trying to get on with life however he is on his own. I've been worried about him thinking he's ok too soon. The best thing is to look after your wrist. You need to stop trying to carry on as normal and let people around you look after you. Keep moving your fingers and do some mild wiggling exercises but please don't try to carry things or use that hand as usual for at least 6-8weeks. Even then be careful. Don't lift kettles, or anything that causes discomfort like shopping bags etc.. It'll be four months before you are anything near normal. Bones take 7years to fully recover. Thats how long it takes for the bone cells to completely renew. I had a briken toe in 2010 and there was a twinge for many years. Its ok now but i was in my 40's when that happened. You should get somevexcersises to do from a physio who will know what's best. Meantime, take paracetamol and put ice packs on your fingers to reduce swelling. Keep your hand/arm raised. Not hanging. Sit with pillows or cushions next to you to rest your arm on when it's not in a sling. Sleep on the opposite side with pillows or cushions under the bad arm.
It has to take its course. Just try not to aggravate it. Bit by bit you'll get there 🙏

Kimwestonhelpless · 05/07/2025 02:43

Your post brought back all the things dw had to do.
Good informative post for op.

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General health
HarkerandBarker · 05/07/2025 02:44

Kimwestonhelpless · 05/07/2025 02:43

Your post brought back all the things dw had to do.
Good informative post for op.

Thank you. That's kind of you to say so 🙏

echt · 05/07/2025 03:34

Lots of good advice here. I broke my wrist and then had surgery on it about 18 months later. The successive recovery periods meant the affected arm was noticeably thinner than the other, so look to strengthening exercises when rehab says you can.
Another thought. I was in my mid-60s when this happened so muscle loss is more apparent, underway already and takes more time to replace.

And another ...were you offered a DEXA? I'm in Australia and because of my age I was sent for one when my wrist was broken so as to handily check for osteopenia or osteoporosis and establish a baseline for later scans.

Thinking of your possible employment, I was a teacher at the time and the cast meant I couldn't drive so the school paid for taxis for me until I could.

Good luck with your recovery, OP.

Original poster
NervyWegovy · 05/07/2025 15:07

echt · 05/07/2025 03:34

Lots of good advice here. I broke my wrist and then had surgery on it about 18 months later. The successive recovery periods meant the affected arm was noticeably thinner than the other, so look to strengthening exercises when rehab says you can.
Another thought. I was in my mid-60s when this happened so muscle loss is more apparent, underway already and takes more time to replace.

And another ...were you offered a DEXA? I'm in Australia and because of my age I was sent for one when my wrist was broken so as to handily check for osteopenia or osteoporosis and establish a baseline for later scans.

Thinking of your possible employment, I was a teacher at the time and the cast meant I couldn't drive so the school paid for taxis for me until I could.

Good luck with your recovery, OP.

Nope got triaged, x ray and then plastered.

I've got it back in the sling as I was hoping I didn't need it yesterday. It woke up hurting but is a bit better this afternoon. I've got an appointment on the 15th with the fracture team.

I really was hoping id be in the cast but usable soon as its my dominant hand and I'm dyspraxic and hand eye coordination is already an issue

And the itchiness!

OP posts:
HarkerandBarker · 10/07/2025 02:24

Just giving you an update on my nephews broken wrist hopefully as comfort. He's made a miraculous recovery. He's 35 btw and the same old dickhead he ever was. He's in my bed while I'm in on the sofa! I suppose knub skulls recover quicker! 😂

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