fractured wrist recovery

[theDudesmummy]

Hi, has anyone had a fractured wrist internally fixed (plate and screws)? I am wondering how long it took to be back to completely normal hand function (including handwriting)? I can type fine, even after a week, but cannot write...

Hi I broke my wrist and it took me about 3 months before I could do everything again. I did my exercises regularly and except for the scar you would never know I had broken my wrist

Dd's bff had a plate and pins. Took 12 weeks to heal.
Sent home to self isolate last year she tripped on a rug!! Dm still blames the school!!

OK thanks, so it looks like about three months then. It's a real pain (not just literally, it is that too) as I really need to be able to write by hand for my work...

I tripped over a laundry basket in my own bedroom!

I did mine back in September and it took about 3-4 months. Good luck

Could I have broken a bone and not feel much pain? I once had a green stick fracture and needed surgery... In September I bashed my wrist. Bone sticking up but no real pain unless I press. Reluctant to go to see anyone with Covid around. And can't have time not working! Can post a pic if need be.

@theDudesmummy how you doing? I recently broke my wrist and have had a plate in. Wondered how the recovery is going.

@Hyperfish101

Oh much better. It has been nearly 8 weeks now and I have had 2 follow-up X-rays, which showed the plate is at the right angle etc. I started with the physio last week and no longer have to wear a splint (I do put it on when I am driving, it just feels safer).

I am doing the physio exercises several times a day and range of movement is up and swelling down. I can type exactly the same speed as normal, although I think my accuracy is slightly down. Handwriting is still slow and not good enough for work so I have had to record Zoom meetings and transcibe by typing later. But it is getting better. My signature now looks like my signature, which it didn't to start with!

Main thing I can't really do still is twisting action so have to get DH to open the wine bottle!

I had a DEXA scan to see if I have osteoporosis and the officcial results are not back et but the radiographer showed me the scan and said I don't...

I have a silicon sheet over the scar and it seems to be healing well.

Thanks.

I have a plate and a bandage and am back at fracture clinic next week. I think I’m supposed to exercise it a bit even now but I’m scared I dislodge the plate!

Can I ask? After your op. Did you have any kind of cast or did they go straight to a splint.

Thanks.

Don't exercise except for your fingers, until fracture clinic/physio say OK. I never had a cast, just the splint with the metal bit in. I woke up with that after the surgery.

I would definitely recommend a silicon sheet for scar healing, it is looking good

Not moving my wrist. Just my fingers. And keep my arm and shoulder moving. I live in fear of dislodging the bloody plate but am guessing it’s fairly secure. Hope so anyway.

The pain has been awful but settled since the op. Occasionally achy though.

Glad you are getting back to normal. Thanks for your comments.

@Easterbunnygettingready if it doesn't hurt much you could possibly have slightly cracked it. I broke mine straight across and it hurt so much that I cried just touching the skin. If it was a while ago I wouldn't get too worried about having it seen, if it's fully functioning it'll heal.

@Frenchdressing I also felt scared I would dislodge the plate! I just imagined it peeling away from the bone! Then on the second follow-up x-ray I saw how solidly it was screwed in! My range of movement has increased greatly and I can now pick up things like cups of tea. I have the physio again tomorrow, hope he is pleased with me...

Yes plate and screws here! It took me a couple of months to feel more confident using my wrist and picking things up. I must say, my handwriting has never recovered (or that's my excuse!)

I need to be able to write fast to do my job, so am working hard on the physio!