Open reduction for distal radius & ulnar styloid fracture
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On 24th August I tripped up on a paving slab while rushing to catch a train and fell heavily on my left arm leaving me with a nasty distal radius and styloid ulna fracture. I spent the night in hospital and the following day I underwent open reduction surgery to pin and plate the broken pieces (4 I think) together. I was given a nerve block as well as general anaesthetic which was a godsend as it meant I didn't feel anything for nearly 24 hours. I left hospital with my wrist in a thick crepe bandage, a wrist brace and a sling. The hospital didn't give me any guidance on what I should or shouldn't do once discharged so I just kept it in the sling and slept with it on a pillow at night.
When sensation returned the next day I was surprised that I wasn't in terrible pain and managed to get by on a couple of 500mg paracetamol and one Tramadol just on the first night. My fingers were swollen and red for a few days but I was able to move them. My GP signed me off work for a week but after taking 3 days off I felt I should make an effort and go in, although I couldn't do my normal range of tasks. I work in a very small privately owned jewellers shop and one person down makes a big impact. I have had to find coping strategies to try to do everyday things - using teeth, knees etc to hold things instead of left hand (thankfully I'm right handed).
Yesterday I went back to the hospital to have my stitches removed. I was dreading how my arm/wrist would look, but it wasn't bad at all - no bruising and not particularly swollen. However I do have some loss of sensation around the inside base of my thumb which is probably due to nerve damage from surgery. I was very surprised that after removing the thick bandage and taking out the stitches, I was put back in a tubular bandage and wrist support only. I had expected to have a short arm cast for another few weeks at least. The doctor who saw me said that the metalwork was doing the job of a cast so it wasn't necessary to have one. I was given a sheet of exercises to start on and told that at the end of 4 weeks I should no longer be wearing the brace. I asked the Dr about recovery time and whether I would get back full use of my wrist. The depressing answer was that it won't ever be the same again as before the fracture, and I'm looking at a year for recovery. I'm also a candidate for a DEXA scan at 57 having previously fractured my ankle and a big toe!
For the rest of the day my wrist wasn't too uncomfortable although I wasn't attempting to do anything with it. However today it was a different story and it has been excruciatingly painful if I lust changed position of my arm, let alone trying to start exercising it. I know I have to do it but I'm dreading it all the same. i don't know whether the NHS will provide any physio appointments for me but I would like to have professional help to rehabilitate my wrist so may have to find and pay for private physio sessions.
I managed to gain full use of my broken ankle over time, but the wrist is going to be much more of a challenge I think. I would be interested to hear from anyone who has been unfortunate enough to experience something similar and how recovery is progressing.
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jenny67664 Sally4Edgar
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Sally4Edgar jenny67664
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When I broke my ankle about 9 years ago and the plaster came off six weeks later, my lower leg looked like a tree trunk, but in a few months it regained its shape so I'm sure your arm and hand will start to find its shape again when the swelling and puffiness has subsided once out of plaster and you start gently exercising it. Keep moisturising too!
Good luck with your recovery - we both need to be patient and keep exercising to restore lost mobility. Are you having physio?
jenny67664 Sally4Edgar
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Sally4Edgar jenny67664
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jenny67664 Sally4Edgar
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Sally4Edgar jenny67664
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Sally4Edgar
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jenny67664 Sally4Edgar
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Sally4Edgar jenny67664
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jenny67664 Sally4Edgar
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i am sorry to read you are still are still suffering. Moving my arm can give me pain in certain ways. Pain getting less round base of thumb but I think mine was weight of plaster., I was told never be the same, but looking good. Can't hold heavy items still. But have now got Osteo arthritis in fingers, in the family so fracture didn't help....I can't clench my fist very well. The exercises will slowly get easier. If they told you ten times build up from two to three. Keep me up to date
it was my right wrist/arm...I am right handed...
Sally4Edgar jenny67664
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