Broken wrist, how long does the pain last after removal of the cast?

Hi Lisa.....could you enlightens us a little....you broke both wrists yet you refused surgery....were you given an option? Did anyone manipulate your bones back into alignment....were you put in casts...is this the uk...sorry, it just seems astonishing that you fractured both wrists, probably the radius in each and several fractures in each to boot and had no surgery...re the swelling...yes it does appear to be common, even after some 13 weeks since my break, I still have some residue swelling....look forward to hearing from you....Mike 

Hi there, I fell backwards st the gym and unfortunately I let my hands break my fall. Yes, radius broken in both arms. They wanted to rush me into surgery and I declined the surgery. No manipulation, I was casted for 5 weeks then I spent 3 weeks in splints after casts removed. I've had almost 16 weeks of physio and have made remarkable gains. Back to lifting heavy weights at the gym but I can't do an weight bearing activities like push-ups yet. I'm 55 and was in fairly good physical shape before my fall. Dr.s and physiotherapist say that this probably contributed to my ability to recover so quickly. My only concern is the swelling in my right wrist. My left wrist is almost back at full range of mobility.

11 weeks since I broke my wrist, 10 weeks since operarion with plate and 10 screws. I have a photo of my exray surgeon let me take pic of screen. It shows 2mm to completely heel over. Like you Humpty I can make a fist and lay thumb on outstretched palm. I have limited use of palm raised facing forward and palm facing down bit better. But pleased with progress, I don't do excersises every day as does ache when I have finished. My doctor sent me for test of density of bone, to find out if I have Osteoporosis or Osteoporina. Well I have test results and have bit of Osteoporosis in right hip and Osteoporina in left hip. So I have to take Risedronate one tablet a week, also big box of calcium + vit D tablets to suck. At 68 it was always possible, so looking at this break as possibly, better than what could have happened to my hip. I took my first tablet Tuesday and no side effects, so that is good. Going to eat more calcium rich foods though.

Maureen

Nice one Maureen. Pleased you’re making good progress. It’s nice to see the light at the end of the tunnel!! I’m seeing my doc next week, just a regular visit but I’ll ask him about taking stuff for healing bones. I’ve got a bit of arthritis in my thumbs. My mum had it but my wrist seems ok at the mo. Good to hear yer doin okay. 

Hi Mike & all those who are following this forum for broken wrist.

Its been 2 months since I had plate & screws removed & tbh at 1st I thought things were on the up.

For whatever reason the surgeon only manipulated my fingers & thumb, but not my wrist!! I did not know this at the time until I saw my physio 2 weeks later for stitches removal & mild stretches.

I felt such utter disappointment but my physio did not know the reason why.

I have had physio for 1 day a week lasting approx 30 mins...this is not enough & I am at my wits end.

The pain has little eased & the stiffness can be unbearable some days.

I see my surgeon next Monday & I will not leave until all my questions are answered.

Why was my wrist not done? Why am I still in pain? What can I do next to get some relief? I do not want another op but I would have local anaesthetic for MUA...

I am at my wits end & cannot see a light at the end of the tunnel....its a year on 10th Nov since this trauma changed my life.....I need to keep my spirits up but it sure is hard atm!!

Hi to Mike, Maureen, Elaine et al,

It's now over 14 weeks since my accident, 12 weeks since surgery. 

I was finally discharged from hospital 2 weeks ago, after 18 days there. The doctor had originally said that they would let me out when I could make a fist. I'm glad they didn't stick to that as I still can't...I can still only touch my first two fingers with my thumb. I haven't tried to drive yet as I wasn't allowed with some of the medication I was on, but think my hand is not ready. I have also now hurt my shoulder - I think I kept it too rigid whilst I had the catheter under my arm, and now have something along the lines of frozen shoulder.

I was meant to have "intensive" physio when I came out, but so far this has not happened - once in 2 weeks isn't enough. But I've got more coming up. I've also had occupational and mirror therapy 3 times a week, which has been my saving. Elaine, I really recommend you starting your own mirror therapy - there are lots if videos etc online, and as crazy as it sounds, it does help. But I think you actually now need an urgent referral to a pain management centre - check out the CRPS UK website. I'm also going to need to be referred here. Again, from what I've read there, you shouldn't have any more ops where CRPS is active. Local anaesthetic for manipulation is different, but be warned as I had that continuously in hospital - the anaesthesia at least - my improvements were err, modest. In terms of physio, for me, flossing worked the best. 

I've read and read about CRPS over the past few weeks, and they still don't really know why some people develop it and some don't. One key recommendation seems to be taking vitamin C after a fracture as it reduces the risk. Annoyingly, a friend had said that to me, but as no doctor had suggested it, I thought I had enough...

Other risk factors for CRPS - 7x more women than men get it. The average age of onset is 42, left handers have double the risk of getting it, or at least, they represent 20% of those who have CRPS rather than 10% as per population numbers. A third of CRPS sufferers have under active thyroids. I'm not sure if this is cause or effect though. I slot into all those risk categories. Also, it seems numbers reporting CRPS has fallen since more surgery is carried out. So Elaine's and my late surgery, and bad fractures would all seem to be factors. I also had my fingers set at a very strange angle in the original cast, meaning I couldn't move them, as movement is so key, that really seems to be a big issue.

My life has also changed in a none too positive way, but I've given up hoping for fast fixes. It seems as if all progress is going to be really slow. But I'm okay with that as long as I see progress..

Good luck to all, but especially Elaine! xx

 

Hi Ali, now Im reading your last message. I have been thinking about how you are getting on....

My word you have been through the mill to say the least. I cannot believe after all you have gone through, you are little improved....thats soul destroying tbh.

My anxiety is through the roof with frustration & "intense physio" lasting all of 15 minutes after hand measurements are taken to see for any improvement since previous week! Its just not enough....

Im now on 10mg of Citalapram just to take the edge off how Im feeling.

My fingers & thumb after MUA seemed more released & I felt so upbeat. But its all gone downhill, my stiffness is as bad as ever, pain is on & off & wrist movement is non existant. My arm is hurting as though a nerve or muscle is being squeezed!!

After my hydrodilitation procedure for FS, it did not release all the joint & the front of my shoulder can be quite painful at times but better than before treatment. I dnt know if its a knock on effect...shoulder causing wrist problems or wrist causing shoulder problems.

I will try the mirror therapy & anything I can find online.

CRPS I had never heard off before my accident, even the consultants took mobile photo's of my hand/wrist to show their students....this however has improved in colour & sensitivity unless I overdo the exercises.

I have taken on board all you have mentioned & will certainly question my consultant about where I go from here.

I guess time will tell but I wish you all the very best & will keep you posted as to my outcome next week....fingers crossed...only on the good hand of course lol.

I can't believe I have found this discussion group and any advice would be great. I slipped over on a 2 night holiday was going to say break haha. Fractured radius and ulna .had to have manipulation wasn't offered a block only gas and air which I couldn't handle so no pain relief at all. Origanally told would need op but they changed their mind.  I was in a cast for 6 weeks. I couldn't believe the pain and the look of my hand/ wrist when plaster removed and still have discomfort in my shoulder and had to pay for a couple of physio sessions as in such agony in my neck and shoulder. Iv now been out of a cast for 4 weeks and out of splint for one. My wrist is still swollen and I am still in a lot of discomfort despite taking painkillers but only at night as I don't want addiction problems. I have started physio as was told I'd need it from the beginning so asked my gp to refer me  as hospital said they wouldn't till plaster  came off so luckily had first session2 weeks later. My wrist looks very deformed still as well and I don't know where to go from here. Should I ask to go for a second opinion. My local hospitals are all in special measures which doesn't fill me  with confidence. 

I also managed to fall down the stairs in the middle of the night due to being exhausted in pain, unbalanced from the plaster and disorientated from medication and broke a small bone in my foot ,was in a boot for 6 weeks as well but that's healed hooray. 2 weeks ago trying to change a sheet snapped a tendon on middle finger of good hand so that's now in a splint !!am totally fed up.i have had bone density test now and got osteoparenia so been started on calcium/ vit d tabs. I'm in pain after doing excercises but maybe doing them to often? Hospital leaflet told me 2 hourly ,physio told me 3/4 times a day. My grip is not good and I still am not allowed to drive . Will this ever get better and should I do anything about the deformity.???i feel for all of you as well and hope you all recover well

 

Hi Uhurt!  Where are you...are you being treated by the NHS? How you can fracture both the radius and ulna and not have some kind of surgery baffles me....but your fractures may be very clean and not misplaced. If you’re being treated in the uk or similar then I’d image they knew what they were doing but a manipulation under gas alone is going to be painful. They would have x rayed you again following manipulation to ensure all was good. You say your wrist is deformed....I only say all this because you ask if a second opinion should be sought....which makes me wonder where you had treatment! Until you know you are receiving the correct treatment, it’s difficult to offer any support...if you’ve read the whole blog, you’ll have some idea of what’s normal and what is questionable....my case is practically text book, as is Maureen’s I believe but Ali’s and Elaine’s are far from text book and they are having to endure far more than is normal. 

You will have swelling but you shouldn’t be needing pain killers....you should have some movement after 10 weeks you should be making a fist, rotating the wrist and moving your hand up and down. Physio should be twice a day but general movement exercises can be done all day...when it starts to hurt, rest it...there’s a lot of info on this site that’ll give you a good idea of how you should be progressing.....age is also a factor...let us know a little more and I’ll try and be more helpful....wishing you well..mike 

Thought I would let you know how my hospital appointment went today.

Saw my surgeon who answered all my questions without hesitation. Apparently my plate & screw removal about 7 weeks age went well. My fingers were manipulated under local anaesthetic but not my wrist.

As I had such severe CRPS previously, they decided against doing all the manipulation in case this made the pain worse.

However if in 6 wks my movement has not improved they will consider doing MUA under local again.

Also I may need another op to remove a bone at base of the thumb because the pain is unbearable at times.

For the time being I'm being fitted with a thumb splint to immobilise it whilst at work...should help with the pain.

My heart sinks at the thought of all thats ahead of me but if it means me getting my life back then so be it.

Il keep you all upda

Hi Elaine...sorry to hear of the negative news...have you got any movement at all since removal of plate and screws some 7 weeks ago?  Have you seen no improvement in movement since then, it appears not because you want an mua to get things going....if not, what did your surgeon have to say about that? Did they x Ray your thumb to find the bone causing the pain...if you splint it, you will stop movement again and as you know, lack of movement is not good, are you having any physio or is it too painful? If too painful, 6 weeks is too long to wait for an mua or surgery to remove the bone....if you have surgery to remove the bone, you could have an mua at the same time....i think some docs really drag their feet probably due to the tight constraints they’re having to face in the nhs! Keep us posted and I would hope that because of the length of time you’ve had to endure these issues, your surgeon would now be priotorising your recovery....

I was delighted that the plate & screws were being removed because I stupidly thought all my probs with the wrist would be over.

How wrong was I!!

My fingers can bend a few cms more but not into a fist.

My wrist has not changed at all. The physio measures me every session but also found there was no change.

I did ask if I could have an MRI but was told there was no need at this time! As for splinting my thumb I too am worried about lack of movement as I have arthritis there.

Its so frustrating tbh, but as Im back at work the pain has got worse so they said splinting would ease the pain.

I was told its early days since the last op so 6 weeks is fine.

The tightness is such a horrible feeling...but I do all the physio required but now told to ease back so not to aggrevate the CRPS.....vicious circle.

I have lost so much weight on my right arm, it looks abnormal but I am using weights to strengthen the muscles.

I sympathise deeply with Ali as she too has been through the mill. Hopefully things will improve....its a year this Thursday since my freak accident.....

Ouch Elaine! In terms of not aggravating your CRPS, everything you've been told gels with what I've been told: the physio shouldn't hurt, and my physio wants to know if it hurts me later, as this is bad for CRPS. The thumb splinting makes sense to solve an issue of unbearable pain, but could in turn lead to pain as you're very aware...I suppose what concerns me for you, is that although they're very aware of how severe your symptoms are, they're taking their time solve them. I guess an op on your thumb has to be treatment of last resort, as you don't want an operation on an 'active' CRPS site if you can avoid it. I really hope they make a decision soon, so that you have a positive way out of this (I got told yesterday that my hand had improved slightly, but we're talking millimetres here. I wonder what level of movement/function I'm ever going to regain..

Hi Ali,

Cannot believe it will be a year on the 10th this nightmare started. Here I am still receiving physio...once a wk for approx 20mins after measurements are taken. Its just not enough & I told my surgeon yesterday. He told me to sort it with my physio as he was happy for me to continue.

As for the last op & not having my fingers, thumb & wrist manipulated this was for my benefit as too much could make my CRPS worse. I can understand that tbh. However, waiting 6 wks in between consultations is to me way too long.

Cnt do anything about that unfortunately!

As for my thumb splint, I am a little worried about my thumb seizing altogether, tho movement is quite painful of late. I will give it a try but only use whilst I'm in work as that's what causes the most discomfort.

The reason for a piece of bone removed from my thumb is because of arthritis but that will be as a last resort to combat my pain. Iv had 2 ops now & each cut has been in the same scar. This becomes very tender & hard to work on to loosen scar tissue.

I will think long & hard as to whether I can face another op tbh.

I asked lots of questions as planned & my surgeon was very helpful. He told me he treats less than 3 ppl a year with chronic CRPS & unfortunately I'm one of them.

Just my luck. I have cut back on physio...every other day... & this does ease the pain but physio later is painful....there's no happy medium....plod on I guess. Hope you are getting more luck & anything you try new which helps I would be glad to hear.

I can really only second what Mike has said here, but ouch, you have really been through it!

There seems a lot of scope for different medical opinions on when to operate...I went to 4 different hospitals/clinics. 3 thought it should have been operated on, but the second didn't - which let to an over 2 week delay in me being operated on. That could be the reason why I have the problems I've got now, but I will never really know.

I did have a local anaesthetic when the doctors manipulated my arm before putting it in that first cast. Despite that, it remains the worst pain I have ever experienced (compared to childbirth, scorpion fish sting etc), so I feel for you if you ended up with no pain relief then... 

Was your wrist x-rayed when they removed the cast so that they know your bones have healed ok, or is there a problem there? Could your osteoporosis be causing you problems around the breaks? 

In terms of pain killers, I would ask your doctor - GP or specialist depending on who you're seeing first. If you need the pain killers, then I don't think they'll be worried about addiction, not for a few days anyway. Your body has undergone a lot of trauma recently, and probably a lot of inflammation too. So check with a doctor if it's ok to take more. Like you, I initially thought I should take as little ibruprofen as possible, but when I told the doctors I was taking 400 Ibruprofen once or twice a day, they told me to increase it to 600, 3X a day (I'm taking an antacid to protect my stomach as well). I've now been taking these for 6 weeks. I'm not at all suggesting that will be your case, but it is different when doctors are overseeing your medication use. I do worry about the affect on my body though, and don't know how long I can remain on them.

Can you reduce the time spent on your exercises, but do them ore often?  would be guided by your physio who is looking at your specific case, rather than the generic guide. But practice, and see what is more comfortable for you.

A lot of the material I read warn that our wrists may never look the same again, but you are still at an early stage of muscle wastage etc, so don't worry too much just yet.

Very best of luck to you for a full recovery!

Thank you everyone

im back to the fracture clinic on Friday for a follow up. I was re x rayed when the plaster came off . They were not going to but finally agreed and have a o copy on a DVD . Definatly worth paying for and I wouldn't have known I could have it till radiographer told me The radiographer told me off the record it wasn't set at a good angle.its still looks very wierd and I have a huge lump visible on the ulna. The radius side often makes a weird sensation clicking/ rubbing sensation when lifting wrist in certain positions. Iv never had any measurements taken by physio or hospital. I'm getting more movement but downwards bend limited.. Still in discomfort but rarely acute pain. Will post again after hospital visit. My gut feeling now is it needs to be reset. 

Thank you again for your replies and help and I wish you all a speedy revovery

 

Hi Ihurt......may I ask what country you’re in, paying for an X-ray sounds odd.....sounds like a reset is in order, also odd, it should’ve been set correctly the first time! 

Hi it was nhs in the uk.I didn't pay for the X-ray just the copy of the pictures.which I wanted as I don't have much faith in my local hospital. It's in special measures and I can see why.and I agree  I don't think they have set it properly which is why I will probably ask to go elsewhere  for a second opinion and will be good to have pictures of the X-rays before and after original manipulation/setting. I have seen 3 different doctors and they have all told me different things.

I was originally seen at Cheltenhm as I had the accident on holiday . They were great there . Unfortutately as its over a hundred miles from where I live I have to attend the hospital where I reside. I couldn't fault Cheltenham at all . The arm was manipulated at my local hospital in the fracture clinic.so far have seen 3 different doctors there all telling me different things but one did say they may refer me to their hand / wrist clinic after my assessment next Friday . 

B

 

Hi B....thanks for that...so you had to wait till you got home before you had treatment or were you manipulated in Cheltenham and then seen again locally? Who fixed your fracture, put it back in place and put a cast on. I just can’t believe the NHS is so poor...you should’ve been treated in Cheltenham where it happened but you say they were very good, so they would have fixed it properly if they did it....but if you had to wait till you got home for manipulation and treatment...that’s terrible! And then you’ve seen three doctors all with varying opinions....I always thought the NHS was to be admired....after all, I worked in it for some 15 years! Somebody has to be accountable if you need a reset...I’d sue them. Many years ago a Dentist took out the wrong tooth in my 5 year old daughter...I was astounded and sued the practice, with compensation! Unfortunately it’s always with the benefit of hindsight that we know these things but professionals should be doing there job and not creating further hassle for people like yourself and Elaine and Ali...I’m sure you’ll be okay but you don’t need the hassle of an elongated recovery time due to someone’s incompetence....i hope you find a good doc soon.......mike

Hi mike

thanks for your message. Much appreciated. 

Basically chelteham were great . I fell over where we were staying which was about 45 minutes away the receptionist told us to go to Cheltenham as nearer hospitals may not have been open. The hotel took the dogs for us which was another worry. Anyway no Drs around but amazing specialist nurse. Took x Ray's  not a pretty sight and chatted to me about them and put me in a back slab said I'd probably need an op if not definite manipulation and to return in the morning. Because we were staying so far from the hospital and the dog worry she arranged for the dr to phone me first thing instead. He turned out to be the consultant and said as we were only there another day for me to rest up and was happy for me o travel home.as long  as I was seen by my local hospital ASAP as my circulation etc was fine

then the fun began I phoned the local hospital . They refused to see me even though Cheltenham had given mea discharge letter and I couldn't get a GP appointment for a referral. . I phoned Cheltenham spoke to another great nurse  who said she would contact my local hospital. She phoned me back to say she had faxed everything over. She said if I hadn't heard anything  from the local hospitalto phone them back in 3-4hrs which I did.as surprise suprise they hadn't phoned meI. Spoke to the department who said they wouldn't give me an appointment until the notes had been seen by a doctorwhich wouldn't be till the next day I told her needed to be seen and it was urgent as told by Cheltenham. With hindsight I should have just gone to a/e. 

The next day they phoned and said I had to have an emergency appointment at a different hospital as I needed to have an operation. Which is what I'd been trying to tell them . The op ended up as manipulation. I also wonder why they didn't offer me an anaesthetic block as I couldn't take the gas. My arm/ wrist was manipulated about 3times with nice bruises showing above the plaster  that was put on and I was recreated one a (definite thumb print.)anyway arm still painful especially over theulna .have physio on Wednesday am hoping they will finally let me drive and fracture clinic on Friday.

 

Hi Ihurt....your story beggars believe....you know my daughter (who’s a nurse)  told me the reason they send you off without an op is because a fractured wrist is not considered an emergency....wot a load of bullocks....who decided that...I’d like to break their wrist and see if they still think that! 

You had a manipulation without any anaesthetic....how did you manage that...my wrist was killing me, if a fly had landed on it, I would have screamed. How can they do that? Your right of course, hindsight is a wonderful thing. I would have found the nearest A&E in Cheltenham the next day and turned up on their doorstep demanding I’d be seen. And yes you should’ve just gone to your local A&E when you got home and not relied upon what can only be described as an incompetent health care system. But we don’t have hindsight and believe we will be looked after. Did they x Ray your wrist after the manipulation, is it straight? I’m not surprised you have pain...it’s power for the cause...we all had pain...after all you’ve broken a bone in your body! You should have been given pain killers. What physio are you having, you’ve just had a cast put on! The bone needs to heal! Do you feel you can drive, can you use that hand...I must admit I drove to hospital with a fractured wrist and did all the gear changing with my right hand but it was a little crazy to say the least. Once the cast was on, my wife changed the gears for me but still a bit dodgy....I could drive using both hands at around 12 weeks from fracture...when you get to fracture clinic Friday, make sure it’s straight if you don’t already know and keep moving your limbs as much as possible within the pain threshold, including your arm, right up to the shoulder....let us know how you get on and good luck....Mike 

I think Cheltenham were trying to be kind as I was worrying about the dogs etc and I think they wanted me to try and rest up as I was so  away from home

yes its my local hospital the rubbish all went on  over a 100 miles away and I have a very wonky wrist. Will talk to them on Friday and hence m wondering to ask GP for a second referral elsewhere luckilly I'm having

already through my GP  no doubt I'd still be waiting for a hospital physio appointment. hospital just bunged me a leafletand said they would refer me . Cast has been off now for 5 weeks . Was in a splint for 3 after. I can't believe reading now that I managed to cope with manipulation and no pain releif especially as both radius and ulna broken. I have more faith with the rediographer  than the dr. Last visit was told I will have permanent shortening of bone( so if that's the case I'm not sure why they didn't operate)  

i used to have great faith in the nhs . Where I live definatly not. Iv got a fair bit of movement back but poor grip hence not driving. Doing my excercises but often in discomfort sometime acutely pain still in ulna and weird clicking/ grating movement at times from radius which was more severe fracture. Also wrist is a freaky shape

 

They did give me co-codamol 30mgs  and allowed to take 2 tabs . Never mentioned anti inflamotries  but  iv taken them anyway and  veryrarely taking anything now.

i hope you are doing well. Couldn't believe about your daughters tooth but unfortunately can. Not great not having faith in the people looking after you

Hi iHurt."...really sorry to hear of all the hassle you are having"...my plaster cast was on 5 weeks following manipulation and insertion of 3 pins under a brachial anaesthetic....it was done immediately following admission to A&E here in France. After 5 weeks they took the plaster off and pins out after taking an x Ray to check all was ok. They gave me a splint but I wore it for 2 nights and one day because it restricted movement, especially in my thumb which was my biggest issue, I couldn’t move it much and it was really painful when I tried. Due to being bound up for 5 weeks in a plaster cast. I could at least move my fingers in the cast! I began moving my fingers, thumb, wrist and arm immediately to the point of too much pain or discomfort. It’s imperative that you exercise your limbs, not just once or twice a day but all the time...i had pain killers for the first 5 days following the fracture...none since and never needed. You simply should not have any pain or discomfort 11 weeks after the fracture, only when physio/exercising. You should see good improvement in the movement of all joints in the hand, wrist and arm on a weekly basis. Nothing should stay static. Poor Elaine and Ali are still suffering a year after the fracture! When you get to the fracture clinic on Friday..tell them of your concerns and ask them if there’s is anywhere you can go to get your wrist sorted out once and for all, they must know it’s not right...shortened bone, odd looking wrist, pain, discomfort, lack of movement...it can be fixed and you will get better again and all will again return to normal....it’s just unfortunate that for you the process will take a little longer....don’t despair....hear from you soon....mike 

Hello. 

Sorry iv not updated but am so fed up (had no energy and a stinking cold. I think with everything going on my immunity has gone to zilch). Went back for 6 week post plaster check on the 17th . Was rexrayedand told they are referring me to a different hospital in the trust ( still in special measures) to wrist and hand clinic but there will be a wait. So fed up and so little trust and fed up of being shunted around am paying 200 quid tomorrow to go and see a private consultant who specialises in wrists tomorrow. Am still in pain , wrist still wonky  although movement improving . Apparently have been under foot team in fracture clinic. Am hoping I will get some answers tomorrow.. I hope you are all doing better . Will update you after appointment.

Good to hear from Ali and Elaine and more recently Ihurt...and also good to hear you are making some degree of progress....I’m just sorry it’s so slow. You all still seem to be going through the mill! Still taking pills and seeing doctors, physios and O.T.s....I really really feel for you...

I almost feel guilty for portraying my own text book recovery. It’s been 5 months today since I broke my left radius. I can’t really believe my wrist still needs a little tender care to get it back to  normal. I can’t believe it takes so long, even for a normal recovery! 

All movement is normal and pain free, just like my good hand....but making a clenched fist is not completely sorted yet, especially first thing in the morning. It takes about a minute to get the muscles and tendons to respond normally. I can then clench my fist but I can still feel the tendons working in my fingers, middle finger particularly. Even though I’m using my hand all the time, making a tight clenched fist still needs a little work at any time of day....it’s not like I clench it in the morning and I can continue to clench throughout the day...

Gripping an object is really only 50% there, especially on narrow objects like a 15mm pipe but on something like a sauce bottle, it’s much better. Gripping rope or thick twine is not easy. Turning on taps, keys in doors and general twisting whilst gripping is still not so easy. I can now weight bear, lifting my body as in press ups is now possible. I can play most chords on a guitar now but the twisting and gripping syndrome hinders this still.

All swelling has gone and my wrist looks normal, although I’m still a little cautious about putting my wedding ring on again...it’s still very tight and I’m afraid if I get it on, I won’t get it off and swelling may result only to exacerbate the issue. So I’ll give it another month. I can hold just about anything but gripping sheets of timber is still not as easy as it could be. But I’m pretty much back to normal and another month will hopefully sort some of the current issues.

If anyone would ask, how long does it take to get back to normal, I would say you’re nearly there after 6 months but like my daughter said, 12 months and you won’t notice you ever broke it. It’s so much easier now, I’m able to do pretty much anything and I can work on the barn conversion with comparative ease. Yes, I’m out of the woods, at last. I’ll report back again in a months time, that’ll be 6 months from injury and again in 12 months, so others can get a better idea of what to expect....if you have a text book recovery.

I wish Elaine, Ali and Ihurt a more speedy recovery and hope you don’t get any more surprises. I’ll always be here to offer encouragement and support, I won’t forget you😉 It’s a bit like a double edged sword....I’m happy and relieved I’m through the worst of it and my progress has been trouble free, yet on the other side, you guys are still going through the s**t and not getting much relief...let’s hope the new year brings on better news.....

HI Humpty Dumpty,

i know its been some time since your wrist fracture and i was wondering if you could give me an update.

I've read through this tread many times, trying to find help whilst recovering from my colles fracture.

I'm doing my exercises, but 5 weeks since my plaster was removed, im still getting swelling in my fingers and wrist.

sounds like what you experienced, not so noticable but definatly there. I despair that ill never wear my wedding ring again. can you tell me if your swelling has now finally gone and how long approx it took.

I appreciate that its been some time since you posted on this thread, but if you could take the time to respond id be really grateful. Thanks Kerry