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

Well I think you hav to be kinder to yourslf, and your wrist. Far too soon I think to do big excersises. A few finger excersises perhaps, but not all of them. Most people have cast on six weeks after plate and screw op so physio impossible. My cast was on two weeks after op right up to my nuckles, so other than moving my fingers that was it. When the cast came off I was given at my UK hospital a removable velcro cast. I did excersises twice a day alternate days. Apart from  scaring outside the soft tissues inside are repairing. I am this week two months since accident when I broke my Radius bone in two places near joint, seven since plate and screw operation. I can make a fist now, although in the morning fingers are stiffer. I can hold a plate of light food, hold a jar whilst opening with good hand. I can knit, that was a worry I have knitted since I was fourteen, I am now 68. I can iron my families clothes. Did quite a lot of ironing yesterday, so had to take a paracetamol in the night as hand ached. I am not going to push my hand too much today. I bought arnica gell early on from that well known online site, and massaged very gently, that brings out the bruise my arm was very bruised. Hand massage too with hand cream gently. So I am in my 8th week so you should be well on the mend by 16th week. I went on U tube and looked at videos of other people in our club, somone ponted out not to be surprised if you cannot turn your palm facing upward, had I not seen that I would have been upset. That I could’nt do after my cadt came off, couldn't do that till about fifth week. If you try to do that too soon can strain elbow or shoulder, I read on one of these message boards, someone gave themselves a frozen shoulder. I did not get to see a NHS physio till six weeks after accident, then I was given excersises, but I had found them anyway on the internet. Our NHS very good but can be a bit slow at the moment. Good luck, all takes time.

Maureen

Hi Monica. I broke my left wrist 6weeks back. Operated and plate and screws put on 9th sept. 5 weeks now. I can move fingers and make fist but cast is on for 1 more week. No physiotherapy except moving fingers. Last x showed normal healing. So it takes time and we have to be patient. Praying for hour recovery and mine too. God bless. Harshita

Hi

Thank you for replying, today just over two weeks since operation and started exercise,took splint off and omg didn't recognise my arm! Feel a little overwhelmed and bruising coming out with starting to move hand/fingers a little more. Hope all well with your recovery. Pleased I've found this forum. Regards Monica

Monica,

Expect dramatic improvment!  I'm almost 5 months in and admittedly not certain it will ever be what it was, in fact I'm fairly convinced it won't, but it's manageable and I can live with it.  It's sad when this stuff happens but, as they say, "it is what it is" and it has to be dealt with with as much positivity as can be mustered.  What remains with me is limited movement and stiffness (still can't make a fist unless I work at for minutes) but I'm working out again and the wrist is holding up.  I sink into some depression now and again but then slap myself out of it.  I keep going back to the moment it happened (which honestly only exists in snapshots as I never felt the collision merely the moment before which is etched in my mind) but there was nothing that could be done to aoid it, NOTHING!  Keep positive and know it will improve dramatically, it will onl get better.  Best wishes...

George...

Hi Thank you for replying. Hoping you're getting better. Yep handing aching and tingling tonight after exercises. At moment I feel like it will never be the same and have to admit I've been in tears most days and hate fact limited to what I can do at moment 😶.

Hi gmorey

Apologies for bothering you I've had physio today which went badly and have been informed I now have a partial frozen shoulder and likely get referred to shoulder specialist to say I'm upset and concerned. I'm so worried now that I'm not going to ever get full functionality back if wrist today has just upset me.

Monica,

After my MC accident I had huge problems with my back and shoulders (hit the asphalt really hard with a 600 pound bike on top) but I'm okay now (relative term).  Explain to me the circumstances of your accident as it now appears extreme.

George...

I had a very bad fall in a supermarket car park foot went down a grate and flew across road landing on left wrist smashing it as consultant said. Ok and plate and pinned put in a splint for 6 weeks during which time restricted movement and exercise. Now week 14 or in to 4th month slow improvements as physio said today though shoulder has decided to play up and cannot raise fully in air and very painful so being referred to specialist. Have looked online for exercise to assist and have a light exercise band so going to try that this week along with usual wrist exercise. Demented today , as have been trying to keep positive though this is so frustrating. Thank you again

Just felt I had to reply. I broke my wrist very badly & also developed full blown FS.

I knew when the physio was trying to turn my hand over palm facing up that something was wrong. The pain was immense at that time.

I had FS over 2 yrs ago & recognised the symptoms.

The recent FS hampered my ability to continue physio as it had a knock on effect.

My hand specialist realised I needed my shoulder done so contacted my consultant who rushed through a procedure called Hydrodilitatio.

This involves injecting liquid into the shoulder joint which is suppose to separate the adhered tendons etc, causing the stiffness & pain.

I would recommend you mention the FS to your consultant who can advise depending how severe it is.

There are other treatments, but do get it looked at.

My shoulder is about 80% recovered, unfortunately my wrist is not.

Feel free to ask me any questions you have & if I can help I certainly will.

Good luck.

Monica,

I understand if this doesn't sound right and by all means verify.  But when I had a slip disk in my back, and when my tendon in my back acted up, and for the wrist as well I applied ice packs (no heat as heat increased the pain) and it helped.

Regards...George

Hi there FS frozen shoulder. How are things now? I can turn palm down but difficulty getting palm fully face up -seems muscles at Elbow don't want to move. Also issue with fingers and not being able to make a full fist. How long and how was your recovery. Thank you I'm so frustrated and upset today

I know how you feel.....I went through every emotion possible.

I too had a plate & screws inserted. My injury happened Nov 10th 2016....its been a long journey to say the least.

About 4 months ago I had the plate & screws removed because I could not bend my wrist forward or backwards, also MUA (manilulation under anaesthetic) whilst still awake.

I still cannot make a fist without using my good hand & no change in my wrist movement.

I do feel my delay in starting physio a week after having cast off when 1st broke contributed to the slow recovery that I have.

Painwise, I have been through it all but it has eased but not gone. However, I am due a 3rd op to MUA my wrist this time....I pray this works to get some normal function back.

Do keep up with all physio, if you have any doubts or worries ask your consultant...even if you have to write them down.

Everybody has a different recovery time & I really hope you get there sooner than I did.

Best wishes

Elaine

Thanks Elaine

You've been through the mill!?. I'm praying my physio will refer me back to consultant as he had signed me off. Also changing physio in next few weeks which will be interesting. Really a rollercoaster this injury 😶 thank you x

It certainly is a rollercoaster, you feel as if there,s no light at the end of the tunnel, but slowly & surely every little bit you can do will help. I found doing my hand/wrist exercises in the bath was less painful for me...worth a try for you.

One week you may feel so down then next you can be up, this is normal.

I broke down many times with my surgeon & hand therapist but they see it happen so many times...so dnt beat yourself up. I dnt know if you are on any painkillers!! I tried what they suggested, co-dydramol, co-codamol, ibuprofen.....not taking any atm but that is my choice.

Just remember.....ask anything you dnt feel happy about....that is what they are there for.

Good luck & do keep me updated to your progress.

Onwards & upwards....

Hi

And thank you. I'm due back to work in next forthright which will be interesting as have partial frozen shoulder and still cannot make a fist. Fingers at second knuckle still feels strange and v.stiff and very limited grip. Doing exercises and lifting 1kg weight along with using resistance band. Anyone still have issues making a fist 4 months after distal radius fracture and plate/pins. Thank you x

Hi monica,

Dnt worry to much about it atm. I went through exactly the same as you...tightness from middle joints, cnt make a fist without the help of my other hand & its 14 months since I broke my distal radius.

Plate & screws inserted then removed last Sept'

I have had MUA under local & expecting another to be abke to hopefully bend my wrist. I have not been able to bend it backwards or forwards since I broke it.

On top of it all arthritis has set in & the pain in my thumb is at times unbearable.

Do keep up with all physio exercises. My delay in starting may have contributed to the state my wrist is in now.

However, I am back at work...almost 10 months now & yes it is hard some days but getting back some normality was important for my morale.

Do ask your consultant if you have any issues at all.

Good luck & hopefully your progress will be much quicker than mine.

Elaine,   Has your ortho discussed orthoplasty for your thumb?  In May I shattered my distal radius and had another fracture near my thumb.  Cast was extremely painful near the thumb but ortho dismissed my complaints.  Just kept saying I had arthritis.  After cast was removed my thumb was fused and so painful I couldn't stand it (and I have a pretty high pain tolerance.)  Ortho offered no further treatment.  A few weeks later I sought out a 2nd hand specialist who said that due to extreme arthritis and bone spurs, the only fix was orthroplasty surgery.  (You can google it for lots of info.)  I had to do something so went for it.  This Dr. was wonderful!  Took 3 hours and 3 pins to hold the crumbling bones together, but it it 100% better now.  Fingers are still somewhat sore and stiff but I think that's a result of the fracture rather than surgery.  So while it isn't a fun surgery, it might be something you'll want to consider at some point.  If your doctor hasn't mentioned it, you might get a second opinion from another hand specialist.  I can move my thumb just fine and do most anything my wrist will allow.  Will probably need the surgery on the other thumb but hopefully not any time soon.  But for the relief the surgery gives, I'd do it in a heartbeat if that time comes.  Good luck to you.

hello monica.I guess by your use of ' fortnight' you are in the uk? me too. I broke my distal radius and the other bone nearly 7 moths ago.no surgery, just cast . i can just about make a  small fist but am afraid to do that now 'cos the pain a few hours later is so bad. 1 doc. has suggested I just get treatment for managing pain now and not to exercise the hand. i am not sure how I feel about that or what the end result would be? i get so anxious and depressed when in pain. i am scared of taking extra pain killer. I have been prescribed gabapentin but haven't started it yet. I think elaine also uses the  nhs.          I wish you all the best with your return to work,   I hope being with  people not involved in your accident will make life more enjoyable and help you put this bad episode all behind you very quickly.                 

Hi sophua99575

Yep I'm in UK. Oh I hope you're feeling better in time x.

Yep back to work in a week so trying to get hand moving a bit more. Still painful along with partial frozen shoulder. I think if at work I'll be busy and occupied.

Awful time having broken wrist and not sure if having plate/pins has made recovery worse. Take care x

Thanks for the info linda.

I am yet to google it but will do after my reply.

They tell me my thumb has arthritis, which xrays showed a few years ago.

What with my wrist so stiff I cannot bend it either way, & it is painful. But my thumb is another kind of pain that is getting unbearable. I now have to wear a splint to immobilise my thumb.

After my physio visit Tuesday they sent for for an xray on my left thumb which is also giving me pain.

They said I would probably need to wear a splint also. This is worrying because it may impair my working & giving up my job is not an option.

So many up & down days because I cannot see any light at the end of the tunnel after 14 months.

I will google the info you gave me & certainly mention it to my surgeon when I see him for my 3rd op....no date given yet😏

I will let you know how I get on...thank you once again.

  hi monica. I have been blaming my slow recovery on the fact I did not have surgery.  i think it all depends on the different case. apparently I have small nodules in palm of my hands which is a condition some of us have called dupyrens or something which makes us more likely to get more scar tissue and tighten up if we have an accident.  so  the fact you had surgery or not probably isn't to blame. i had not noticed the nodules.

did you read on here somewhere someone had hydrolitation on their frozen shoulder and said it helped a lot. could you ask your doc. about that. i too have stiff shoulder from the cast and may mention hydrolitation to my doc. but to be honest my stiff wrist and the pain in hand and wrist bother me most. i have just started using WSH at bury and am impressed so far. 1 doc. says my shoulder is not frozen and 1 says it is partially frozen but calls it stiff in his report so...

yes being occupied and back  with workmates should help you, I will be thinking of you and wishing you well.  amazing how a broken wrist can change your life isn't it? at least temporarily. there must be lots of people who went through this a year or more ago and we don't know it as they have recovered  and are getting on with their lives.  that will be all of us before we know it.

 do you find that 'getting your hand going 'makes it very painful next day and for days? i am not too much of a wuss as far as pain is concerned usually but it is the anxiety it triggers with this pain that make sit worse isn't it? one doc. says we are also suffering from post traumatic stress syndrome! from the shock of the accident and the changes afterwards I suppose. re return to work,  i would probably have started back part time if it were me but you know what feels right for you. let me know how it goes. take care. all good wishes. x

hello elaine. since our experiences seem similar it would be nice if you will correspond with me altho'  I realise you have enough to a  cope with yourself.. I was sorry to read that you have developed some painful arthritis in your thumb, it sounds as if you have tried ordinary painkillers with no luck. I believe you said you also have arthritis pain in your 'good' thumb too that is such a nuisance but hopefully these  are  just a temporary flare up. I sure hope so, you have had a very complicated recovery from your fracture and my recovery has not been straight forward either so I know how that gets you down. I do hope you have a sympathetic doc. my good wrist/hand hurts quite a bit as I use that for all chores etc. I keep telling various medics but none offer advise about a wrist support. i have bought 3 which are useless and am now advised to ask a chemist to fit me for a proper wrist band .i believe you take gabapentin for skin sensitivity, i have not started that yet but it is the pain in my wrist/hand that is my biggest problem. did you find gabapentin helped with that too? I guess you were told to take vit.c weren't you? my last orthopaedic consultant  at  the wsh advised that.

at pain management I was told to place hands palm down as far as poss.on lap and raise corresponding fingers slowly up and down watching all the time. supposed to re-educate brain into believing bad hand is as good as uninjured hand.  also to gently massage both hands down fingers along to wrist with some cream you like the smell of. also watching all the time as with first exercise.it is supposed to change brains perception of injured hand/wrist. friend had bought me some aveena hand cream so I use that. trouble is hand/wrist hurts so often I just put a soft glove on it and try to forget it. I know that is not good for exercise but wonder whether inflicting all that pain on myself can be good. I wonder what would happen if I stopped exercising it at all .i do use it for normal things as much as possible. I do admire people who lift weights etc ,for me that would cause much pain for next few days. I find it hurts to type even 1 fingered, it hurts to hold the phone and I can't hold note paper steady so handwriting is worse than ever.

I wonder whether your good wrist just needs a rest from overwork. i put  voltarol on wrist at night. I hope your wrist pain settles down for good very soon,  I go from despair to hope all the time.  do you think that  cbt helps? 

wishing you all the best, do you think we will feel better in spring, we have 1 snowdrop out!    love  from  s