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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Tiny fracture in my hand, refuse a plaster because of upcoming holiday

27 replies

FishCanFly · 20/06/2015 13:26

Am i stupid? Nurse says it can heal by itself, but full plaster is recommended.
I am shitting myself here

OP posts:
Sirzy · 20/06/2015 13:29

Why risk a lifetime of trouble if it doesn't heal properly for the sake of a few weeks hassle? Surely you can still go on holiday with it in plaster anyway?

foxinsocks · 20/06/2015 13:30

Is it painful? I would wear a sling or something just to immobilise it and stop other people from bashing it. You can get braces for hands/wrists that immobilise it but you can take them off?

Did you want to swim? If it's because you want to drive, I wouldn't anyway as your insurance probably wouldn't cover you.

TheCowThatLaughs · 20/06/2015 13:31

Look after your hands! You never know, they might be useful one day! I would get the plaster on.

Original poster
FishCanFly · 20/06/2015 13:41

I got a brace. And i am carefulf not to lift anything, or actually do anything. And yes i want to be in the water vs. not being able to shower properly. The fracture is barely visible on xray. Its not really painful, just slightly uncomfortable at some angles.

OP posts:
Watto1 · 20/06/2015 13:43

If its swimming you are worrying about, you can get a protective cover for your cast called a Limbo which you can swim, bath and shower in.

ghostyslovesheep · 20/06/2015 13:45

AIBU to go against medical advice for the sake of a dip in the pool?

er yes - very

as Watto said - get a Limbo or similar

Original poster
FishCanFly · 20/06/2015 13:47

Had a limbo years ago for a broken leg years ago. Its not watertight as it says it should be. Sellotaping a binbag was more reliable.
If it was a serious fracture, i'd have no choice, but now...

OP posts:
eyebags63 · 20/06/2015 13:49

YABU... risking long term issues for a short term gain is a bit silly really.

RB68 · 20/06/2015 13:51

Not sure the one we had was a limbo but was excellent - we didn't test with full submersion but for showers was perfect. I would go for cast as there is no such thing as a nearly broken bone (per xray) it either is or isn't and needs to be kept in place. Ask if you can have a removeable cast at all - you might have to pay for it yourself though. (Ie plastic and velcros on to immobolise)

Ilovehamabeads · 20/06/2015 13:51

Went to Spain for 3 weeks with dd having a full arm cast. She was in the pool or sea at least twice a day. Used a bloccs waterproof cover. Worked perfectly if used correctly. Started to deteriorate during the 3rd week and let some water in. Was fine for 2 weeks though. Bit unsightly- bright blue- but saved our holiday.

RB68 · 20/06/2015 13:52

Not sure the one we had was a limbo but was excellent - we didn't test with full submersion but for showers was perfect. I would go for cast as there is no such thing as a nearly broken bone (per xray) it either is or isn't and needs to be kept in place. Ask if you can have a removeable cast at all - you might have to pay for it yourself though. (Ie plastic and velcros on to immobolise)

Original poster
FishCanFly · 20/06/2015 13:55

Ask if you can have a removeable cast at all - you might have to pay for it yourself though. (Ie plastic and velcros on to immobolise)
Thats what i have now. This was from AE. Will see a doctor next week. Will see from there.

OP posts:
Janethegirl · 20/06/2015 14:09

I had a plaster on for around 1 day after I broke a small bone in my hand, however when I saw the consultant he said it wasn't necessary and gave me a Velcro hand support which was much better.

Happfeet2911 · 20/06/2015 17:47

A support of some kind should be fine if it's that small, immobilising your arm for weeks will probably cause more problems with muscle wastage. Also, wearing a full plaster in a hot climate could be horrible, sweaty and uncomfortable. Up to you of course but I would avoid it too.

londonrach · 20/06/2015 17:51

I wouldnt risk it but can you wear a removable one. Hands are very important and you want it to heal well. Arthritis could be a problem in later years. Back to doctor and ask if you can have removeable one and enjoy your holiday. Look on the positive side of this...gets you off the washing up Grin

CheeseToastie123 · 20/06/2015 18:25

Is it a scaphoid fracture? The blood supply to the scaphoid can be very poor, you're risking long term discomfort and damage. How recent was the injury? Scaphoid fractures can take a fortnight to fully show, and I have only just had one finally ruled out with a CT scan 8 weeks after an injury (which is still swollen and causing me considerable discomfort, hence the worry of a missed fracture). The Limbo was great for my two weeks in plaster.

Original poster
FishCanFly · 21/06/2015 13:30

I had this household accident over a week ago. At first didn't pay attention, but it was a very strange discomfort (like shooting pain when opening a door or dog pulling his lead). Got an Xray and nothing's really broken, just a barely visible crack in one of the bones (forgot to ask what it is called). Plaster terrifies me not only because of missing swimming, but also sweating itching and not being able to scratch.
That velcro thing so far feels satisfying, will see what doctor says next week

OP posts:
Skiptonlass · 21/06/2015 13:55

Don't just leave it! The risk with some hand fractures (the most common scaphoid ones) is that the blood supply to some of the bones only goes in at one side - if you don't fix the bones properly it can die, leaving you with limited mobility and arthritis.

If you're flying and its recent, you'll probably only have a half cast anyway in case of flying. But don't just leave it, you're storing up problems for the future.

Shakey1500 · 21/06/2015 14:24

I totally agree with cheese.

Due to a delayed plaster Dh has had no end of problems with a small scaphoid fracture. Including accelerated arthritis.

For the sake of a dip in the pool, it's foolish.

Hi5Hello · 21/06/2015 16:59

What does your travel insurance say about ignoring advice?

Whatabout · 21/06/2015 17:03

If it was your scaphoid they'd have explained the risk of necrosis if there is non-Union of the fracture and insisted on a cast. If it is an undisplaced fracture and you plan on keeping the brace on and not using the hand I don't think YABU.

karbonfootprint · 21/06/2015 17:10

contact your insurance company if you are going abroad, you don't want to find you have invalidated your insurance.

Icimoi · 21/06/2015 18:08

The thought of itching and not being able to scratch terrifies you? WTF?

And you usually can scratch inside plaster casts. Knitting needles are wonderful things.

Bodicea · 21/06/2015 18:33

Is it a scaphoid injury. You really shouldn't mess with those because if the risk if nerve damage. And they don't always show up well on the x- ray.

Totality22 · 21/06/2015 18:45

I suspect I have a fracture in one of my foot bones, I wish someone was willing to bloody treat me though

(GP has referred me for physio, I am going back to see a different GP as I am not happy about it)

Do not go against medical advice would be my take on this OP.