Can't make a fist, straighten hand after wrist surgery 4 weeks ago

Oh no, so you are still not driving? I'm so desperate to get back behind the wheel but no where near. I'm 4 weeks post op, my wrist is still in pieces and doctor said any physio on the wrist right now would make it fall apart, so just hand therapy for now. I have to admit day by day it gets stronger but no flexibility and if I push it, the pain is awful. I have three young girls, can't even do their hair. Cannot believe how long this is taking to heal. It would be good to keep this thread up and hopefully see some positive results soon, just to give me a bit of hope lol

I need that bit of hope too! I used to wear my hair back or up a lot, just different things on different days. Had to get it cut and it's all I can do now to get it washed and dried--wear it straight, tuck it behind my  ears....My wrist is nothing has changed and no, still can't drive. Today it feels tighter farther up my arm which is new and NEGATIVE. I'm searching online for possible things that can go wrong, etc. SOMETHING is wrong and I cannot just keep going to PT, hitching rides, and still can't turn hand or move wrist back. Have no strength and now shoulder is frozen and many of my PT exercises are now for my shoulder. They must be really worried about that. My fingers are puffy and bent and I cannot make a fist--at all. Feb 1st will be 3 months since the fall and 2.5 months since the surgery. I pray a lot for healing, flexibility, patience, and strength in my hand/wrist. This is a nightmare.

I am 2 months post surgery. Can make incomplete fist. Hand does not moves upward. Gettg physio 3 times a week but nor much improvement. Howz your progress?

Harshita

Hi Judy! On Monday, I will be 6 months from my fall and am still in therapy. i developed a frozen shoulder afterI started working on turninng palm up. So on 4/7/17 i started that and still have problems but went to last session 2 days ago. I am BACK in therapy for my right wrist, which contains a titanium plate and 7 screws with bolts. You might have read that in comments, above. I also had that strange "straw" feeling when I touched my hair, especially when washing, which was very difficult and still is, though not as much. Worst part is that I will never get full turn of my wrist back which PREVENTS my doing a lot of life's fun things. My grip strength in right hand is justt 27 psi and that is improvement. For you, that overly-sensitive feelinng in your fingers will go away in time. I was also VERY sensitive to heat and sharp edges like packaging and thing you never thinnk of. I turned 71 just 2 days before my fall, so we are in the same age range. Let's talk further. Oh, I am finally driving, starting March 26th--to church! Yea!

Hi Kayeba,

?It sounds like you are having a much harder time than I am.  I am really suprised that I am having so much trouble making a fist and using my hand since the cast has been off for a month or so.  I am glad that you did not think I was crazy about having "straw hair".  Evidently wearing a cast can cause damage to your fingers and wrist, and I think the doctors should tell you that before they put a cast on you.  I am actually looking forward to physical therapy Monday since they wil evaluate my hand movement and maybe tell me if my hand will get back to normal and how long it might take.

?I am glad you are slowly getting better, and I will let you know how things are going with me.  Thanks for sharing your story, and I hope you will be a lot better soon.

?Judy

yes my hair feels completely different. just like straw. but only with damaged hand.

Thanks, Judy. I find great comfort knowing others experience some of these same weird sensations, frustrations, and feelings, whether it is pain is strange new areas, or long healing times. I was and still am to some degree, over-sensitive to heat in that hand. Somehow, Wednesday, I didn't get home with the exercise band they gave me to work shoulder at home. There are many things I was not told up front!!! Hope anyone reading this will ASK questions at OT or PT. Tell them every little thing that happened since your last visit-it'll force them to come up with some info for you. 

i was so disappointed I couldn't drive for so long. Hard to ask firneds to drive you to PT when one is used to being totally independent. More later. Where are you located? I'm in Jackson, MS.

Keep in touch! Blessings! 

Kaye

Judy,    Your situation is very similar to mine.  No surgery, hard cast for 6 weeks, stiff, sore fingers, etc.  At first I declined PT thinking I could do it on my own.  Big mistake.  They help you by teaching you what to do at home.  My fingers are still stiff and sore but are gradually improving.  Still some swellilng (can't wear wedding ring) but that is also improving gradually.   When I first get up I run very warm water over my hand and wrist and that helps loosen them a bit.  I was also convinced part of my problems were a direct result of the tight casts.  My worst problem was my thumb, which was now contracted and very painful.  Finally got a second opinion yesterday.  This doc thinks "extreme arthritis" rather than the cast contributed to my thumb problem.  I now need surgery to fix my thumb and am adamant that it not be casted.  Doc said it will be a splint so I'm going to hold him to that.<G>  Want to get this over with asap but am concerned about immobilizing my wrist when it isn't even back to normal from the fracture.  Anyone have thoughts on this?  Like everyone else here, I had no idea a simple broken wrist would literally change you life by lilmiting daily activities so much.  I am a musician (amature) and really need my hand/thumb to function normally so I am determined to get this back to normal as much as possible. My advice - DON'T BREAK ANYTHING!<G>     Hope things are improving for you.

 

Hi

I wish I could just hug you as believe me I know exactly how you are feeling.12 months ago I was desperate and felt like you.  I thought my and still believe my cast was too tight but the Medical Profession never want to blame each other so hey ho forget all that and find a good Physio I was lucky but didn't think so at the time he was stern with me and make me work at it and yes it was hard but after 22 weeks of intensive physio and many many hours of me runbbing pulling and working my fingers they started slowly to move again and 12 months on I am back to golf and no pain yes a little stiff sometimes when the weather is bad.  Good luck believe in yourself and carry on.

Best Wishes Wendy

Judy, after I read you initial entry, I thought I WAS YOU!!! My injury, cast placement, the few times the cast was cut off for xrays and then a new cast molded back on, the total amount of time in the cast, and now...you got it...swollen wrist, swollen hand, swollen palm AND swollen fingers...all in one, nice, big, gigantic SWOLLEN package! (...with a big fat SWOLLEN bow on top of it, too!) Oh yes, the beautiful "sausage factor", has blessed me as well! It's so funny, when the doc took off the cast for the last time, after six seeks, I was shocked to see my poor right limb look like a shriveled up piece of "bacon", but within a week; "Sausage-O-Mania"! I have the SAME EXACT sensation that others speak of too; hair feeling like "strings-of-wire" when washing it, hyper-sensitivity of heat & cold to the touch of the fingers AND to the skin on the back of the hand, mega-tight & painful wrists...and good old fashion, "Can't-Make-A-Fist" if I was thrown into a boxing ring and my life depended on it! (No thank you Rocky Balboa!)

I have done about one weeks worth of physical therapy, with some, but little improvement. I do the home exercises as planned, only to have the poor hand swell up for the rest of the day! I feel like my hand is saying to me, "Hey You! Big Dummy! Can't you see I am hurt and the more you move me, the more pain you're putting me through, ya big sadistic Ignoramus!!! LEAVE ME ALONE!!!"

You're right, the doc (at least my doc) NEVER once even slightly mentioned, that being immobilized by a tight cast, would cause all these weirdo neurological issues. It is my hope, that in time, as I now feel it's gonna take ALOT of time, I will heal. And to top it all off, I had NO surgery! Just a clean break, to the fifth metacarpal finger bone (the pinky finger bone) just below the main knuckle as it enters into the palm of the hand, I believe the medical "industry" calls it 'BOXER'S FRACTURE', correct?

Well, you're way ahead of me I would assume in both healing and wholeness, but can you PLEASE let me know through this post string, HOW ARE YOU DOING THESE DAYS??? ARE THINGS GETTING WELL BACK TO NORMAL WITH YOU??? It is my total hope that you are! Bless you dear.

Judy,  Your most recent post convinces me more than ever than many of our problems are a direct result of the hard cast.  I had no surgery either (shattered distal radius) and I knew the cast was way more painful than it should have been.  Dr. did not take my comment/complaints seriously.  I have a pretty high pain tolerance so I fully suspected something was wrong.  Second opion doc has assured me that surgery to repair my thumb (fractured but never addressed) will involve a splint - much more tolerable than a cast - for 3 months.  UG!  

Although I still can't make a fist or wear my wedding ring, or bear much weight (3 months later) it seems my recovery has gone much smoother than many.  Hang in there with fierce determination. I wish all of you the best on this journey.  Sure is a shock how one fracture affects your life.  Can't begin to imagine what accident victims with multiple fractures endure.

Stay strong!

Linda

Best to all!

Keep moving it though. It is is big catch 22. The more you use it the more it hurts but if you don't it won't heal. I didn't have a cast. I had external pins and a piston holding my hand to my wrist. I wasn't told how severe my injuries were until after the fact. I would have found a hand specialist a long time ago. Heat helps lossen things up usually! But believe me pt hurts so bad. I would cry. But it does help. You have to keep doing stuff though for it to get better

Hello Kayeba

I was wondering how you are getting on now? I had my wrist op  nearly 7 weeks ago and i also have that over sensitive feeling. It's horrible. Was you over sensitive to the air blowing? Also did you experience burning?

I am getting worried this will never go. The over sensitivity is getting me down. It's like my clothes hurt to wear around my wrist 😕

Chantelle 

It's been 14 weeks since my surgery and although the super-sensitivity has decreased a bit it's still there!  I'm getting very discouraged!

Hello Anthony

I have read your post and wondering how you are getting on? I had my op on my wrist to fit metal plate nearly 7 weeks ago and I too have hypersensitivity to the touch, hot water feels hotter and cold colder! Hair feels like straw with damaged hand and I get this awful burning sensation which hurts. Have you experienced this?

Chantelle 

Isn't it horrible... it's worse at night I feel when my wrist is on the bed clothing. It burns... do you experience burning?? I am getting concerned about crps

Chantelle 

I'm not sure what burning feels like to you but I will tell you I feel pain at various places on my hand and wrist, not always but generally. The pain quotient increases with use.

Hello dearest Chantelle,

Everything that you describe, I too feel; consider me your brother! Let's see, I broken my 5th MetaCarpal Bone in the Right Hand (that is the small pinky finger bone, just before it exits the palm at the BIG knuckle joint) otherwise known as a "Boxer's Fracture". You can search-engine that term, for x-ray pictures, but I uploaded two pictures here of my own x-rays the day I broke it, to show you what the fracture looked like, hopefully you can zoom into them. This happened on June 9th, 2017. No surgery, but was casted on June 13th under the premise that the bone would naturally heal itself. Finally had the cast removed on July 24th; total 6 weeks in cast. Today, it has been almost 7 weeks out of cast. Hand still swells daily, washing hair feels like my head is a Cleaning Steel Wool Pad as I am rubbing my fingers over it; pretty much what you said. The extreme feelings of Cool=ARCTIC COLD and Warm=BOILING HOT, has subsided about 10 to maybe 20%; I guess a long ways to go there still, but it looks good. The hypersensitivity on my the skin of the back of the hand, the palm and the fingertip have lessened, maybe 10%, MUCH MORE healing needed to go there. The take-away for me here, and this is only my "opinion", is being in the cast for 6 long weeks immobilized me so much, that the fingers, the knuckles and the wrist kind of like "cemented-shut" with Super-Glue! I have been going to the Physiotherapist's office since the day after I got out of the cast, following all their instructions and doing my home exercises on a daily basis. I carry around one of those silly looking hard sponge balls, squeezing, squeezing and squeezing it, all day long! I just wish the doctor would have informed me about HOW MUCH my hand was going atrophy (muscles, tendons, nerves and skin) and all the soft tissue get so knotted up, as it did. He said that it doesn't happen to all people...but it happened to me. I am 55 years, perhaps in a younger person, not so much? Today, I can curl my fingers like I am "trying" to make a fist, but by all means, still cannot make one at all. So, I have no right hand grip. The Physiotherapist says SHE IS SURE that all my mobility will return. Well, I did not do well in math in grade school, but if my figures are right, I have a VERY LONG WAY to go, to get all of that back. Will I? I hope so. Will YOU? I doubly and triply HOPE SO!!! - Anthony

Anthonyo

I will get back to you shortly. I am in uk so just getting my kids ready for school... not easy at all and my hand is in pain!😢I will message you after school run and tell you my story!

Best wishes to you

Chantelle

Hello antonyo

Sorry had a busy day yesterday.

I fell off my child's scooter in my garden. My eldest is autistic and pushed me to go faster and I fell. I went to accident and emergency and they had to pull the arm to get bones in place. They then put the plaster on. A week later I was in fracture clinic where I was given the news that the consultant thought my bone would end up loving and therefore I needed surgery to have a plate with screws fitted.a week later I was in having surgery. As soon as I came out of surgery I was in terrible pain. Dosed up on tramadol which still never took it away but the medicine helped me sleep. After a week the burning was excruciating and I went back to accident and emergency. They said the cast was too tight and took it off and replaced with another.when they put the plaster on my bone on the outside was very very sensitive to the point where I was neon in tears from the bandage they put on under the cast... it burnt like hell! Eventually this eased a little. Three weeks later I had my follow up apt with the consultant again. He took off the plaster and replaced with a splint. I also had an X-ray which he said looked good.the hypersensitivity eased loads to what it was when I had that other plaster fitted. Hopefully this is a sign that it will event get better. I am now having Physio which started three weeks ago and was given exercise which I do five times daily.when my arm first come out the cast I could hardly move anything. Now I can nearly make a fist... not s right one bit my wrist still doesn't move very much. The hypersensitivity really gets me down though. It burns and real bad in the night. During the day it comes in waves and it does neon constantly ache. The mornings are horrible as I wake up and it hurts a feels terribly right until I get it going s bit during the day with exercise although it still feels slightly tight all day. I am concerned about  crps, what are your thoughts on this? My palm is also white and blotchy?i am due to go back to the consultant next week when I will raise my concerns. I will update u... fingers crossed this is just the healing process!!🤞I really hope u also get healing real soon!!

Chantelle 

'*Sorry 'bone moving'

*'Tight fist '

I guess it's so hard to describe! I have worst days then others sometimes but it's always there.i also get itching there but cannot itch as it's sore😕😔

Dear Chantelle, first off, I notice that many that post here are in the UK; I myself am in the USA; Los Angeles, so sorry for the late night or early morning awakenings!

I have read all your replies in this column and duly understand ALL your concerns, especially the CRPS; prior named: RSD. I knew a gal who had that for many years, but hers was due to repeated botched surgeries. Today, she is all past that she tells me, fully healed; I guess it would be safe to say, that hers is truly a success story out of the realm of CRPS.

CRPS, aka, "Complex Regional Pain Syndrome" (or RSD, "Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy" is a very poorly understood, under researched and most of the time, incorrectly or mis-diagnosed infirmity. (How's that for a Triple-Whammy!) Just like Fibromyalgia, most "not-thinking-out-of-the-box" doctors refer to these eluding maladies as "Garbage-Can-Diagnosis", meaning, they fit into alot of different categories, and not just one, but too many at the same time, so let's just toss them all into one "Can", and in this case, we'll call it CRPS.  At least, that is the way I understood it to be, over the years. As I hope no ones here feels insulted or put-off by such explanation; I feel GREATLY for those who have to endure such a painful way of life.

You asked me if I thought your case might fit into the CRPS realm? Of course my sister, I would have to say, I just don't know. I am sorry. Physicians do know, that in most cases within CRPS, the mystery of the syndrome lies "somewhere" within the central nervous system (nerves), vascular system (blood vessels) and muscles & tendons all acting together in a sort of out of sync "tandem dysfunction"; why that happens, we just don't know...for sure. I wish we did.

As for me, the first number of weeks I too was asking my physicians and physiotherapist, if I was falling into the category of CRPS, the physio thought no, the doctor didn't believe so either, but the neurologist was more or less, going to park his opinion in the "lets-wait-and-see" scenario.  I see him again in two weeks, for another look.

Today, ALL fingers in my right hand, especially the Center Finger, Ring Ringer and Pinky Finger, swell up on daily basis, are "white & blotchy" too, as you put it, and so on, etc. What really bothers me, is the Center Ringer; the middle knuckle on it is so INCREDIBLY in frozen mode, as it cannot flex into any form of hyper-extension at all; it's almost in a full "waving goodbye" mode! Why? I just don't know, the break was in the Pinky bone...as the Center Finger is a 1/2 mile away from the Pinky, in my book! As I made mention in my prior post, I truly believe it was ALL due to an over-tight cast that "mummified" the fingers into a hyper form of atrophy, with plenty of scar tissue grown.

And finally, the wrists; I have developed some pretty bad tendonitis in both, due to all the wrong hand, finger, wrist and arm mechanics, due to that one little break in the Pinkly bone; the Fifth Metacarpal, literally, throwing EVERYTHING off!

We shall see, what our futures may bring, shall we?

--- Anthony

Wow... yes I personally think you are right... hopefully the central nervous system will eventually sort itself out... after all it has been through a lot!!! I guess we just have to keep things moving as much as we can and await our outcomes. Fingers crossed for you too!!

Had surgery to repair a distal radius fracture on July 15, 2017...plate with screws. Came home in removable split. Began physical therapy a week later. I kinda think the worst pain is the incision nerve pain. I couldnt put my arm down....not even on a pillow. Its now Sept 18 and its really just been the last week or so where the nerve pain isnt constant. Now it just comes and goes. My therapist suggested rubbing the incision with various fabrics/textures. Seems to help desensitize the nerves. I have p.t. twice a week. Starts with heat therapy, massage and then stretching. Just start strengthing exercises this week. I have 50-60% range of motion in all directions. Still stiff...especially in the morning. I wear a compression sleeve and compression finger socks. This helps to greatly reduce swelling. Oh, massaging the scar in circles with two fingers using shea butter helps reduce the lumpiness, tightness and nerve pain. When the nerve pain was super bad I used ice to help ignore it.

Anthony, I was interested in your thoughts that a too-tight cast likely caused some of your problems.

I'm beginning to think this is a common problem.  Broke my distal radius over 4 months ago. ER doc said there was an additional fracture near base of thumb. Ortho doctor did not address this even when I asked.  The cast I wore for first 4 weeks was extremely painful near thumb base and I repeatedly told ortho.  He totally ignored me.  Second cast was even worse. Called for an appt. and doc just had his asst. cut the cast and wrap an ace bandage around cast.  Still didn't address the problem. When last cast came off my thumb was contracted and extremely painful.  Could not use it and therapy did not help. Went to a second ortho (who is GREAT). Said he could see a "healed" fracture near base of thumb plus I had extreme arthritis (which first ortho also mentioned.)  Had surgery 4 wks ago. Doc did CMC arthroplasty but thumb bones crumbled when he tried to fix them. Now have 3 pins and cast due out/off in 2 weeks. I am totally convinced the thumb situation was completely avoidable if first ortho had done his job right. Therapy did help fingers and wrist so even though this was a setback, I'm hopeful it can help again. I'm an amateur musician and need my hand & fingers to function properly. 

Bottom line - if a cast is painful, speak up until someone listens!

If I were you, I'd seek another opinion from an orgho who specializes in hands.

Best to you.

oops - orgho should be ORTHO.<G>

Wondered if you still have the burning feeling. I had my operation 4 weeks ago and with plate and screws. The cast was removed 2 weeks ago, I saw the physio today and he told me I had to take off the removable support during the day, if going out I can wear it. But yes I have feeling of heat in upper part of wrist and it is a bit red. 

Maureen

Thank you Linda for reaching out to me. SORRY my response is delayed, I seemed to have lost the link to this thread, but got another email to link me back to it, so here I am.

To answer your question, in my opinion, of course, yes, a tight cast, poorly fitted cast, or a cast in general "can" lead to mobility issues, once it is removed; obviously, the longer the compromised cast is on, the more possibility of lingering issues. (How's THAT for being so dang aloof!)

As for me, almost 9 weeks after the cast has been removed from my right hand (six weeks it was on), the "barbed wire" feeling on my fingertips and palm while washing my hair has decreased much more than 50%, but the hypersensitive feeling on the back of the hand as it nears the wrist, is still there, but has gotten about 30-40% better; a good start.  The issue with me, which has not resolved (if so, every so slightly) is the inability to have ANY hyper-extension of the center & ring fingers, in other words, when I try to straighten up the those fingers on my right hand, they are in a "permanent" cupping-type formation. "Cupping" might be too drastic of a term to use, but they are bent-inward, like if one is petting the fur on the back of the family cat or dog!  I have working DRASTICALLY with a physiotherapist, and where the fist making has improved greatly...I am about 60% able to close the fingers to make the fist...going in the other way...no tamale!  The doctor, was very standoffish in thinking this was going to be a permanent issue; the therapist really feels the hyper-extension will return, but after 9 long & grueling weeks, they have barely moved a stitch.  AND TO BOOT, I broke the Fifth Meta-Carpal, that is the PINKY finger, and in my book, the PINKY finger is a half mile away from the CENTER finger!  Why the Center & Ring finger got so "closed shut" at the middle knuckle...I truly believe it was due to the hand being immobilized with the cast being on, for 6 long weeks, there ain't no other way around it.

NOW, the broken Pinky HAD to be casted & immobilized in order for the bone to fuse together (no surgery was performed) so it a Double-Whammy or a Triple Catch-22 on just how to medically intervene here. The doctor chose the cast for 6 weeks...he really wanted to go NINE weeks, but I begged him to take it off after the 6; he did. BTW, the doctor who treated me, was not just an Orthorpedic Surgeon, but is a Hand Reconstructive & Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Specialist. (So, thar we go...whippity-flippin'-do!)

What I believe was the result, is the body "naturally" deposited scar tissue formations around the middle knuckles of the Center & Ring finger, now hampering the hyper-extension.

I am not a medical provider, a surgeon, a neurologist nor a therapist (or even the neighborhood Witch-Doctor!) but I am "me"...and other than God himself, I dun't think anybody else knows my body better then I do...ya think so too???

Over & out, for now.

Bless you dearly Linda...

 --- AnthonyO

Anthony,   

I'm willing to bet you are right about the cast causing your finger problems.  I am 100% sure that is what also caused my thumb problem.  And like yours, the first ortho doc I was seeing was a hand specialist with a good reputation.  For whatever reason, he never once listened when I told him about the severe pain at the base of my thumb.  And why he didn't see  the second fracture there that 2 other docs saw is beyond me.  It took a second ortho hand specialist to identify the problem and the fix (I hope) the thumb.  At least he listened and explained what was going on.  6 weeks of casting, phys. therapy that helped the wrist and fingers, and now 6 weeks cast again, and I am about to pull out my hair.  12 days til the pins come out and the cast is gone!  Just praying the pins did their job.  Have the first appt. that day and I'll probably be there before the place opens.<LOL>

I would strongly suggest you see another ortho hand specialist.  If it can be fixed, the sooner the better.

Keep us posted.   Best of luck and healing.  

Linda

Dearest Linda...Thy Sibling Comrade in The Good Fight! ("FIST FIGHT" with the doctors, that is!!!)

In your last post, your comment, "And like yours, the first ortho doc I was seeing was a hand specialist with a good reputation..." really hit home with me. The Hand Specialist who's in charge of my case now, is actually the 2nd doc...the 1st doc I saw, was the doc that the Urgent Care System sent me to, the day after I broke the hand. That 1st doc was much more conservative in his approach, he DIDN'T want to cast me up and immobilize the hand, but rather put it in a soft splint, that could be gently taken off & on, and let the Pinky bone heal naturally...this scenario may have taken more time, but NOW I think that 1st doc's consultation was the BEST. But on the third day (silly me) is when I went to go see the "Hand Reconstructive Specialist"; his plan, was to cast it up, big-time; I went with his plan. SO my dear sister...I have NO ONE to blame but yours truly. The bone indeed healed and fused much quicker, but in lieu of that, I gave up...hopefully not forever...the full function of the other nearby fingers, due to the radical immobility. My choice, my decision, my fault.

At this point, it would not be prudent to seek out another "Specialist"; the cast has been off for 9 weeks and I have been in physiotherapy for 8 weeks. At my next appointment with that 2nd doc, aka, "The World Famous Hand Reconstructive Specialist", he said if the hyper-extension has not resolved (Oh Yes, but it has!!!...LIKE ONLY FIVE PERCENT!!!) then he will use a steroid shot to help break up the scarring formation that has made it's home-sweet-home, around my swollen, puffy knuckles.  That is really the only option for the future, as I am confident the 1st doc, the neurologist and even the physiotherapist would agree to undertake at this latter point. AND if my more natural & homeopathic physiotherapist suggests a pharma steroid, THEN YOU KNOW, that that may be the last resort.

I see Mister "2nd" Doc, on 9 October.

(I'll be bringing in my good old fashion pair of PUNCHING GLOVES with me!)

Will advise...

Bless you dear Laura.

--- Anthony O

Hello Maureen, yes I do still have the burning but it has lessened. The hypersensitivity has also decreased. I was told to keep massaging the scar and also the hand and arm up to the elbow. It's hurts a little when I start because of the  hypersensitivity but it eventually eases after continuously massaging it. I have found this helps with the burning. I was also told if I didn't massage it the hypersensitivity will never go. Give the massage a try. I guess this is all just going to take time. I am trying to be patient!!

Chantelle 

Well Comrade,

Do take those punching gloves.  Maybe that will encourage the doc to listen to you. Seems many of these specialists pay absolutely no attention to what their patients say.

It was 10 weeks between my cast removal and the thumb surgery, with pt 4 of those weeks. Therapy did help my wrist and fingers but it sure takes longer than expected.  Doc who did thumb surgery said it was "nearly fused" and never would have improved.  I believe him since therapy was not helping it at all and it was quite painful.  Obviously one doc isn't going to bad mouth another but when I asked ortho #2 if the cast had caused the thumb problem, he replied "It COULD have" but he said it could have also been the arthritis.  So no proof but either way, when I repeatedly told ortho #1 how severe the pain was at my thumb base, he did NOT listen or address the issue and that didn't set right with me. That pain was worse than fracture or surgery.

Pins come out and cast off (forever I hope) in 12 days.  Oct. 4 is freedom day!  Exactly 5 months since this started.  I'll be close to square one in pt, but at least it feels like there is hope now.  I'll work as hard as necessary to get full function back.  Also giving up the bicycle. At 73, that's one less way to tempt fate.<G>  

Do let us know what happens at your Oct. 9 appt.  punch that doc if he doesn't listen!

Best,

Linda

The one thing I know is this takes along time. I have had the opposite issue than you. My fingers won't bend at the last joint. I'm 7 months from my injury. I keep being told it's over a year before it gets better. I had an external fixator for 3 months. Which really immobilized me. My wrist and fingers still hurt. My thumb still hurts. And I have to find a new surgeon because of insurance. It's more than frustrating. Just wanted you to know keep at it. Things do get better. Not sure it will ever be back to normal. But hoping it gets close.

I know all too well how frustrating & painful it is, so I fully sympathise with you. I cannot wait to get my bandages off so I can start physio. It will be painful as Iv been told but Im so desperate to get more movement back.

My thumb still hurts & doesn't bend back as yet. This op has got to work....

I've been in physical therapy for 4 months now. It really is painful at first. I would recommend finding a hand specialist. They really know what they are doing. I wish I had been seeing one from the very beginning. My first 3 months were with general physical therapist. They did help it get going but after going to the specialist it's not supposed to hurt as much as it did. People I saw were getting great results right after surgery from the specialist. I think I'd be doing better now had I known.

Well that is reassuring to know. What's the difference between a hand specialist to a physiotherapist.

I was having intense physio treatment with a burns & plastics physio.

How do I find out if I'm seeing the right one.

So what kind of treatment did you receive that helped you better this time? I start my physio a week Monday.

I'm prepared to tolerate whatever I need to do to get mobility.

Good luck in your recovery.

I'm not sure to be honest. My first therapist dealt with everything from shoulders to knees and backs. I was the only hand patient. My second hand occupational therapist only did hands. 30 years of hands only therapy. They just seem to know more than the general person did. And had I sought out the specialist sooner wondering if I would be in better shape now. I do recommend following all orders for home exercises.

Strangely enough I was looking online for hand/physio therapists & I found a link taking me to Specialist hand surgeons at Morriston Hospital Swansea listing 2 of the hand surgeons who operated on me.

?It also showed the team of hand specialists who treat people after surgery etc & 2 of the hand therapists are the ladies who had been treating me. So I have answered my own question...I have & will be seen by specialist hand therapists, which reassures me.

?Although I had little success with my physio previously, it was simply because my tendons had adhered to my muscles etc so no amount of physio would have helped. That was why I had my latest op last Tuesday to release the adhesions which hopefully will help my recovery.

I still have pain atm but it has only been 4 days post op....fingers crossed that all physio at the hospital & at home will be more successful.

 

Elaine, I have been following your posts of concern. When you noted, "Although I had little success with my physio previously, it was simply because my tendons had adhered to my muscles etc so no amount of physio would have helped," that really struck a chord in me as well. Not so much with my wrists, which are improving, at snails pace, but with my Center & Ring fingers. Due to casting for six long grueling weeks; after eight longer weeks of physiotherapy, I have improved about 5% in hyper-extension, and THAT really concerns me, to no end. My hand/fingers are like stuck in a "cupping/bent in" position, like I am totally in the "hand-shaking-mode" all the time, or in a position like you're petting the family cat or dog! I can do all that just fine, but straightening them back out flat and slightly backwards, like a normal hand would do, ie, hyper-extension, no-way! So, I am wondering if what you pointed out, "tendons-adhering-to-the-muscles" might be what has happened to me as well, not so much in the wrist, but in the actual fingers...muscles there too! What may be your thoughts here? Thank you Elaine. This community has you in mind with "fingers crossed" (ouch! in my case...that is), as you seek the your recovery!

AnthonyO

Thankyou for this information, I guess this hypersensitivity is normal then. I too was told to keep massaging the scar, hand and arm up to elbow. I like u have the nerve pain on n off and at its worst in the mornings. Where my hand and fingers are very stiff.I had my op  9 weeks ago now and am having pt but I still have very limited movement which is very frustrating. The out stretched hand doesn't seem to want to turn palm up and the wrist doesn't seem to want to move backwards. I am hoping in time i will get at least 70% movement back 🙏🙏

Hi, I only had a cast on for 1 week when I first broke my wrist whilst waiting for a hand surgeon to operate. This was painful in itself but little did I know what was ahead.

No cast was put on after my op just bandaged for 10 days until stitches were removed.

I should have started intense physio that same week but unfortunately no appointments were available for almost a month.

I did my best but was very nervous to push things without proper advice. I do feel this delay hindered my recovery.

I too suffered with my middle finger moreso being painful & unwilling to bend also my thumb.

After all the physio etc my wrist was just fixed, I could not bend it forward or backward & my fingers only bent slightly so could not make a fist.

My anxiety shot through the roof so I was relieved when I knew the surgeon was going to remove the plate & screws within 3 months.

Atm Im in discomfort but it can be expected as its yet again another trauma to the hand.

However, when Im seen next Wed' I will ask every question thats on my mind. Why it adhered, will it adhere again, whats my success rate to use & bend my wrist & digits.

Anything I can think of actually to put my mind at ease.

I will keep you all updated...thanks for the concern...

I had surgery on June 20,with aplate and screws put in.There were 4 fractures in my wrist.It was done by a hand surgeon. He wrapped me with bandage and put me in a removable splint.The bandage was so tight that after one week it had to go. I am 3 months out. I started therapy 3 weeks after surgery. I cannot straighten my fingers or make a fist,nor turn my palm up nor do I have full range of my thumb which atrophied after just 2 weeks. I noticed that Shawn,in thread above received prednisone from his Dr. and had amazing improvement overnight. He was THE ONLY ONE IN THIS THREAD that had a solution.I called today to ask my surgeon for the prednisone and he denied me. I am 71 tomorrow and have never been on any medications so at this point I am furious! Anyway I saw where your doctor was going to give you a steroid shot. Good luck,I will be watching for your recovery.

It could be your doctor is afraid of the side effects of Prednisone. I was given it for 5 days last year for an ongoing sinus problem. My GP was adamant I was to take for only the 5 days, as he said it can cause Osteoporoses. I am 68 so would not want steroid. It is very depressing, not being able to use the hand we we were able to use, so easily before the accident. Don't know if I have mentioned on this message board, my husband had plate and screws on his wrist, after road accident. His accident over 20 years ago, he said it takes a lot of physio and pain, he remembers. He stll has his plate and screws in, he shows me how he is able to bend it, just like his other hand and wrist. We will all get there I am sure, we are all different and some of us will take longer.

Maureen

I broke my wrist in September and have plates and pins inserted.  Have been working with a physio and seeing her twice a week with excercises to do at home to build strength.  Slowly improving.  What is concerning me is my wrist whilst it is beginning to get movement backward and forward it doesn’t seem to bend like it used to when I move it back.  Have you gained full movement back.

Shaaron..you wrist never gonna be at same like condition before ...so if someone tell you its gonna be like new...its a lie

HELLO SHARON.  AS  IT IS ONLY 3 MONTHS SINCE YOU BROKE YOUR WRIST YOU SEEM TO BE DOING VERY WELL TO HAVE IMPROVING BACKWARD  MOVEMENT ALREADY.  BEST WISHES

Hello, my name is terie. I broke my wrist in 2009 and I had as cast what seemed like forever, then they finally operated on it and put a plate and screws in it. I swear I thought my wrist was never going to be normal again. I could not put any weight on it for a long time. Well 9 years later my wrist is back to normal. It bends foward and backwards, I can use it to push myself up off the ground and it rotates like it should. But now just lately it has really started to hurt me. It's swollen and hurts so bad I can't even pick up a pencil.Somebody told me it could be that the plate has moved or the screws have moved, could this be possible ? It's to the point of making me cry almost. Does anyone have any advise on what will relieve this pain ? Please

hello teri. it is good to know that you recovered so well but I am sorry you are having pain again now. I guess it could be that you are using your injured wrist more now and that you have overdone it or as you say the plates may have moved. i have heard of that too, if I were you I would go back to your doctor for a proper assessment. I wish you all the best and trust you will soon be fighting fit again, I expect you will judging by your previous good recovery. with love from sophia