Broken wrist recovery

[Monica53]

Hi
Well nearly two months ago I broke my wrist quite badly and have had plate/pins in to fix it and currently having physio and exercises however still extremely limited movement and cannot carry or hold anything with my hand,also off work sick. I'm getting really anxious and think will I ever get use of my arm/wrist ever again as still have pain and swelling. Thank you for reading and any advice. x

I broke my wrist in April, not nearly as badly as yours. I am amazed how long it is taking to recover. I still don't have full movement and it still hurts, but it is much better than it was and is continuing to improve albeit very slowly.

So I think I'm saying be patient and keep doing your exercises, and you will get there. What does the physio say?

Oh, and you have my sympathy!

Hi there

Thank you so much for replying. Physio is hard going and initial very gentle moves as per consultant instructions. However been to see consultant today: dressing off and splint hurray. He is pleased bones have knitted and straight so positives and both same length as he said I'd mashed them. Also he did say a long road to get back to some normality but never 100% omg!😣. So stiffness really bad so ice/warm and today had first hot bubble bath to help and trying to use hand a little. Physio is awful but necessary and her words are it's improving slowly x

Hi there

Thank you so much for replying. Physio is hard going and initial very gentle moves as per consultant instructions. However been to see consultant today: dressing off and splint hurray. He is pleased bones have knitted and straight so positives and both same length as he said I'd mashed them. Also he did say a long road to get back to some normality but never 100% omg!😣. So stiffness really bad so ice/warm and today had first hot bubble bath to help and trying to use hand a little. Physio is awful but necessary and her words are it's improving slowly x

I broke my right hand needing screws to fix it mid October and still have a lot of stiffness in my fingers, can't form a fist and can't fully straighten my fingers or lift any weight.

It sucks and I've been told they're aiming for working functionality rather than full functionality and arthritis is pretty much guaranteed later in life.

I've found heat and massage to be fab, use a hot water bottle to warm my whole hand then loads of e45 cream and strong strokes massaging towards the lymph nodes (armpit) so pushing any fluid/swelling away.

Then re heat and do the exercises. I get much better range of motion and flexibility while the muscles are really warm and straight after the massage.

I broke mine 2 months ago as well. It is stiff and sore but I'm noticing gradual improvement. I'm taking paracetamol before doing morning physio and this seems to loosen it up for the rest of the day.

My main concern is that the bone I didn't break (ulna) appears to be poking out of the side of my wrist and is uncomfortable. I'm worried that my radius has shortened and that it's going to cause issues. Has anyone got any experience of this?

Hi
Thank you so much for replying.
I'd say if issue with bobes/shortening speak to GP or physio to refer back to consultant.

Good idea about hot water bottle will give that a go for sure. Yep my consultant did say won't get 100% use back though as of today attempt to use laptop in a fashion as job is data in putter using keyboard 70% of the working day 🙄. Have to say felt better after hot bath however as day progressed hand got stiffer even using and moving it. Also how often do you all do exercises?I try to do them throughout the day eg if sitting watching TV sit moving fingers wrist znd when walking around moving arm back and forth to stop stiffness and keep wrist going. Thank you for advice xx

Thanks Monica I'm trying to do little and often. Not just physio, but for any task that I won't endanger myself with, I'll try the broken wrist first e.g.turn on tap, open jar, get tissue out of box, lift newspaper. I won't push it if it's really painful and I'm not always successful (can't turn on tap) but I think it's helping at least as much as the 'proper' physio.

By the way, I also use a keyboard for some of my work and have got by with a combination of Dragon Dictate and one-handed typing using sticky keys. Might not work for you, but it has helped me continue to work, albeit not so efficiently!

Do the exercises 3 times a day but also adhoc throughout the day.

I went back to work after a week, work in an office with lots of computer use and its my dominant hand. I got a pull along laptop bag so I don't have to try to carry my computer, handbag, shopping and whatever else all in my left hand.

I am lucky enough to be in a senior position so delegated most of my typing work down to members of my team. The stuff I have to do due to confidentiality is one handed and slow but its either that or I go on sick leave so work have been fine with slow and typo filled

I broke my wrist fairly horribly 7 years ago. I had it fixed with plates and pins. The recovery was far more tiring than I expected or publicly acknowledged. I did all the physio exercises at the time and carried on with them until it felt strong and flexible. I lost some sensation too - I couldn't feel if something was touching the skin on part of my hand.

I was quite young at the time and the plates are low profile titanium (or something) so that may have helped me to get to where I am today.

So now, I hardly think about it. Both wrists are as good as each other, the feeling has come back and I don't have any pain or ongoing problems. Reading the posts above, I think I was lucky. Still, there is hope! I had a working wrist about 4 months after the break and was at full fighting fitness about 8 months later.

Hi
Thank you for all advice etc, one question as it's first night without splint how has everyone got comfortable to sleep as having worn splint for last 8weeks seems strange as have all that time had to keep arm elevated. Thank you on advance xxo

Use extra pillows if you need to. I made a kind of hand sandwich with a pillow underneath and another on top

Good morning
Thank you - first night without splint , found hard to get comfortable,managed by making a bed of pillows and sleeping with arm at side of head. Hot water bottle this morning as aching so hopefully will get back to exercises soon. Thank you for replying and advice much appreciated xx

Sorry to be a pain just a question that's bugging me as love driving and so missing being able to jump in my car. How long was it before you all started driving again and did you have to inform your insurance and about injury. Thank you x

I've not driven since August and definately feeling the desire.

I had eye surgery (of the cutting into your eye variety not laser) which stopped me driving then just as I was about ready went and broke my sodding hand.

I probably could now but as I cant for a fiat my grip is non existent in my dominant hand so it wouldn't be safe in my opinion. Dr just said I couldn't drive while the cast was on.

Not sure on the insurance rules but I would ask your Dr if they would consider you safe to drive and also think to yourself "if I hit an icy patch would I have the strength to steer put of it?" If the answers no then wait.

Not driving is a bit inconvenient but its a temporary blip.

Hi
Yep I reckon driving is a while off as still struggling with bending wrist and swelling is still quite bad along with shoulder keeps freezing 😏🙄. Thank goodness for online shopping xx

I drove as soon as the cast was off. My wrist was strong enough because it was all held together with metal.

Hi
Just update and again seeking reassurance. Physio today after seeing consultant last week, Ive been told i'll have limited use of wrist/arm due to nature of fracture-both bones broken. Still have limited use and have just started to attempt to use keyboard in a fashion, not exactly as usual but trying. I'm just now just extrremely anxious and praying I get more use. Wrist is still swollen and cant turn palm up totallly or up properly yet. It is 2months since accident and really upset about this. Managed to dry hair in a fashion this morning but cannot use hand to pull on clothes. All advice and comments would be so helpful and gratefully received. Thank you in advance.

Thank you Littlelights- I'm hoping this isn't and pray that physio and exercise will sort this out, stressing out about it all as job is administrator and finding use of keyboard at moment difficult.

Hi Monica

I'm sorry you're having problems.

But it's still really early days for you - wrists are complicated things and heal very slowly. It took five or six months before I could turn my palm at all and it still doesn't turn all the way up. My hand is still swollen and I can't get my rings on. But the positive news is that it is continuing to improve, eight months after my accident, so don't despair yet.

Even if you don't get full use back I'm certain it will be far better than it is now - it's only a few days since your splint came off!

Hi
Thank you for replying. Have been in tears today so stressed out about the time it's taking. Physio said it's 2months since op. Anxious as consultant has placed me on sick just for another 6wks till 10/1 and I'm now thinking I'll have to go back ready or not and give it a go! Bored silly,yes doing exercises throughout the day but limited. Have to say a positive I managed to pick up a half bottle of mouthwash today yay! Apologies for whining on just so anxious about it allx

Sorry, haven't been back since yesterday. It must be really stressful worrying about work. I bet you'll see a big improvement by 10th Jan and if the consultant doesn't think you're fit for work by then presumably he'll sign you off for longer.

Glad to hear of the mouthwash triumph! Keep up the exercises and try to enjoy Christmas, and I really hope that you'll see some good progress over the next few weeks.

Hi
Thank you for replying and advice.

I'm usually active and do everything so this has stopped me in my tracks and stir crazy. Exercises,hot water bottle on arm wrist to ease pain along with painkillers. Trying to use hand to pick tissue / facecloth/ fruit baby steps xx

Hi
Well 4months on and slowly getting better use from hand/arm/wrist. Partial frozen shoulder due to wrist injury. Still no driving as have v.limited strength in hand,using restraint band and 1kg weight to help,so still no driving,though return to work within the next week-phased return.

Slowly getting some functionality of fingers and with a mix of exercises slowly getting some sort of fist made🙄. Really a long journey and amazed at how long and stressful it has been and still taking painkillers. Thank you for advice.