Plate & screw removal from broken wrist

Hi Ann,  I just wanted to mention that when I broke my foot 2 yrs ago my doc "threatened" me with surgery for screws and plates if I didn't follow his instructions to the letter.  My break was in an area with a poor blood supply (a Jones fracture) and as doc said I wasn't 20 anymore (69 y/o).  First I was in a non weight bearing cast for 4 weeks.   So believe me I was NWB that whole time.  I also kept my foot elevated and got around the house on a knee scooter.  I was supposed to go into a weight bearing cast for another 4 weeks after that period, but because I healed (like a 25 y/o) I got to go into a air boot.  At one point in the beginning I told doc why didn't he just do the screws etc now so I didn't have to wait.   But, they do want to try the least invasive treatment first.....thank you very much cause it worked for me.  Everything just takes longer than we want it to take!  Don't think screws and plates.  Think and do everything you can to avoid them.  Good luck.

Hi Devsmom! Thank you very much for your comment. It helps me be more hopeful and optimistic. I am getting another X-ray tomorrow, so I'm hoping it will be the last one and I can get my cast off. If not, I must be patient, but if it takes more time, then it takes more time. I am going to take your advice and avoid thinking about those darn screws and plates. Take care!

Hi Ann,  Good luck with your xray tomorrow.  I made my doc play show and tell with the first and the second xray because I wanted to see the changes.  First xray showed the breaks and some debris in the spaces (3 breaks).  In the second, the debris had been carried away and between the breaks it looked milky.  That was the bone building material working.  Things were working well enough for me to go into an aircast boot, but doc made me wear it 24/7.  I put an old pillow case over it and my foot so my bedding didn't need daily changing.  Keep positive thoughts.  

Hi Louise. What happened to your daughter's wrist is so unfortunate. I hope after she has her operation, things will be fine and she will be on the road to recovery.

hi sorry for the delay in responding , her operation went well she has 85% movement still in pain daily but mainly when its bad weather .shes been diagonosed with ptsd and has been self harming hence me not having chance to respond but we'll get there eventually x

Nice to hear of your positive medical "journey".  I hope that Elaine is also having good results.  Are you going to physical therapy to help gain flexibility in your wrist?  Funny while I'm typing this I have a wrist brace on because of "golfers" elbow.  It's just like tennis elbow except on the other side of the elbow.  So strange that to heal elbow pain one must imobilize the wrist.  Weird but it works.  Good luck with the flexibility.

Hi again, well its been 6 days since plate & screw removal...I can bend my fingers a bit more but still cannot make a fist. I still have bandages on until this Wed' so I should know if my wrist will bend both ways unlike it being rigid before the removal.

I still get occasional pins & needles feeling, usually worse at the end of day. But after resting through the night the pain is hardly noticeable in the morning.

I can feel the tightness where the stitches are but I expected that.

I do use my other hand to bend my fingers to make a near fist but I jyst need to be able to make a fist unaided.

I wish you a full recovery, it all takes time but it does get you down also. Im 61 so things will be a bit slower I guess but I need to know this has been a success because I have to return back to work asap.

Hi Elaine,  I've had hand injuries in the past and like you couldn't make a fist unless I used my other hand to help.  I found what helped me was to exercise my hand submerged in warm water.  The water felt good and it was easier to move my fingers under the water because of the buoyancy.  The water also provided some resistance so trying to make a fist made those muscles work harder.  I also just kept trying to make a fist during all those numerious annoying TV commercial (no water involved, haha).  Good luck

Hello again, yes you are quite right. I used to do a lot of my hand movements in the bath. I did find it very helpful but after a time it just made little difference.

Hopefully, once my dressing is off & the wound has healed I shall use water exercises again. I, like you would use every opportunity to try & move my fingers & wrist, on the bus, in the car, watching tv etc.

Roll on Wed' I hope the dressing is removed so I can move forward (& backwards lol)

I need to get back to driving...been way to long.

Not being able to drive is a real bummer.  I was so glad when I got my R foot healed and back to normal after 2-3 months.  Hope tomorrow is a good day for you.

It sure is...hate having to rely on other's in case I'm putting them out but I know I would do the same in return.

Thank you so much for your best wishes..I will keep you informed...just love this community forum, it does help to reassure me.

Strange really, I want the bandages off yet it makes me feel safer with it on....what am I like😊

You may be a bit apprehensive.  That seems totally normal to me but try not to worry to much about the immediate outcome when the bandages are off because worry (in any amount) never changes the outcome.   

Hi Elaine! I know just what you mean when you mention that you want the bandages off, but they make you feel safer on. I feel the same way about my cast; I feel safer and better protected with it on. I have had it on for 8 weeks and I guess it has become a part of me. I have another X-ray tomorrow. It could be any day now that it comes off. I guess it is a win win situation for me: the safety of a cast, or the freedom of shedding said cast. Deep down, I know I

want the freedom of having the cast removed. But if it takes a few more days or a few more weeks😳, I can enjoy the protection of my cast.