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

I'm sorry to hear about your accident. I didn't have an ExFix but did have plate and screws. Unfortunately, I developed CRPS ( complex regional pain symdrome) and a year later I still cannot move my wrist, have swelling most of the time and pain and stiffness. I am due to go back in for further surgery in June for manipulation, steroid injections, anaesthetic block and removal

Of hardware. I'm very scared that this might exacerbate my problems rather than help them but I've got to give it a go. I am waiting for an automatic car that will hopefully help with driving issues. My work is totally up in the air - as a nurse I need movement. I cannot claim any benefits as they say after assessment I can compensate with my right arm so therefore I could work ( but not at the job I've done for the last 40 years ).

Just hate this. How one silly accident has totally transformed my life is awful. I've needed CBT and I just feel I'm surviving rather than living at the moment. I hope you get a better outcome. I would say physio is the answer for you. And lots of it. Especially the home physio. You have to be committed to get the results.

I'm sorry to hear you are still struggling. I'm very worried about this. How far along did they realize you had crps? I'm in the US and my car is automatic so that helps. I'd be crazy if I couldn't drive. Every time I feel like I've got things moving, it freezes up again and won't move without hurting. I'm beginning to realize this is going to be a very long process. And I lost my job also because of accident. I just don't see how anyone could work with this.

Me again. For all who are following this form......progress so far after initial break 9 mths ago.

I can move my fingers but still cannot grip properly & the tightness is still there.

Bending my wrist backwards & forwards is almost impossible.

I am due at anytime now to have removal of plate & pins which they will also manipulate my wrist whilst it is completely numb.

I will be awake but reassured I will not feel a thing but can expect a lot of pain once anaesthetic wears off.....

Has anybody else had this done & if so what was your outcome because I have a niggling doubt if Im doing the right thing, but in this situation Im prepared to try anything.

Any info would be greatly appreciated tho I do realise we do heal at different rates.

Thanks in anticipation...

Hi Elaine, I'm 15 months post orif for distal radius fracture. I've just had my plates/screws removed 8 weeks ago as my problem is supination/pronation immobility with added CRPS. I wouldn't have wanted my hardware removed unless I had a general. No way. I had a nerve block for the pain prior to surgery which lasted about 24-48 hrs and took me over the awful painful period. Then coped on paracetamol  during the day and co- codymol at night. I have to say despite intense physio movement so far hasn't improved that much if at all but it doesn't feel so "heavy". The CRPS obviously doesn't help. I return to see the consultant Thursday so let's see what they can do next!! Good luck with your hardware removal and hope it's not too bad. I was in and out in 6 hrs despite a general. Oh and the consultant also did a MUA ( manipulation under anaesthetic) which seems the same as you're having - vicky 

I hope your surgery goes well. I'm almost 6 months out from injury. Changing doctors recently because my surgeon was awful. Also going to an occupational hand therapy 2 times a week now. More than likely I will have to have another surgery. My recent mri shows 2 fractures still and torn ligaments. Still can't make a fist. My top joints are frozen. Even taping them down which hurts horribly only lasts a minute. Just hurts all the time. Although there has been significant improvement I still have so far to go. When is your manipulation?

Oh thank you for your best wishes, I will surely post on here how the op was & what I experience.

Im feeling nervous because I do not know how long recovery..if any! will be.

Its been a long road with my emotions all over the place.

Onwards & upwards...

Thank you Vicky for letting me know how your procedure went.

My consultant told me I would not be put under, I was told its how its done!

I too will have manipulation but they could not guarantee it would work or get much movement.

Im so unsure if its worth going through it as I also had CRPS & still have it mildly....Gabapenten is helping somewhat.

I worry how long I will be off work again...

Decisions, decisions..

Oh bless, I feel your pain..

My consultant, after the initial op told me they rarely take out plates & pins.

However, he could see how immobile I still am & made the decision to remove all hardware & manipulate whilst my arm is numb.

Im due anytime within the next 4 weeks.

They told me 8 weeks & 4 weeks have already gone.

My stomach turns just thinking about it....am I doing the right thing I keep asking myself but the fact I cannot bend my wrist forward or backwards & cannot make a fist whst have I to lose.

I will keep you up to date on procedure & progress.

Fingers crossed it will be a success & I will be able to cross my fingers lol as I cannot at present.

Thank you for replying.

I'm on gabapentin too. I had to increase my dose post op. They gave me the nerve block to help with the CRPS and also I don't know if you do but it's recommended you take 1,000mg of Vit C to help CRPS, and to try and stop it rearing its ugly head again as you do need to be a bit immobilised after the op. I had thick bandage and padding with the nice purple sling for a week then that was reduced to just a Velcro splint. Sutures/stitches out after 14 days but started physio day 8 just gentle exercises. Wound healed ok but still have that feeling of irritation/tenderness/don't want anything touching it/super sensitive but manageable. If you want any other info I might be able to give I'm more than happy to share. Keep us updated x

I was on 900mg Gabapenten, think I could have upped it but thought I would manage.

Anyway after 6 montgs I felt the pain etc had eased enough to come off them. I decreased the dose by 100mg every 10 days until I got to 100mg then the pain started coming back.

Docs put me back on 900mg...just hate taking meds.

They did suggest I take multi vitamins or just VIT C. Not taken any as yet but worth a try.

My arm aches so much..guess its muscle waste but I do keep my arm active as Iv been back at work for 4 months & its a busy garden centre so plenty of lifting etc.

I do hope you recover fully & you are not in too much pain atm...never in a million years did I think a broken wrist could cause me so much pain & stress.

Once Ive had my op I will let you know how I am doing...could do with chatting to someone who has gone through same thing.

Good health...

Thank you...I am due to have plate & screws removed tomorrow & I am a complete wreck. I do feel I have no choice tbh because I cannot bend my wrist at all so it really is frustrating & depressing atm.

?I will keep you updated as to the outcome....it just has to work.

Thank you, my op for removal is tomorrow under local anaesthetic though I wish it was under general....they will remove plate & screws & manipulate the joints. Makes me cringe thinking about it because I do not want to be awake whilst they do it.

?My hand feels heavy & my wrist feels solid...just praying I get so much more movement back than I have now....it's been a long 10 months.

What do your Xrays show?  Is there an observable reason you can't move your wrist?