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Shattered Distal Radius

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sagalout1954
sagalout1954

Fell down some stairs and got a Comminuted Intraarticular (in other words, bone shattered at the wrist joint). Thankfully (!!!) only the large bone - Distal Radius, and my left wrist. 5 pieces, put back into place and held there with 3 K-wires (pins).

Had backslab on top for 12 days, plaster cast which goes only 2/3 way round arm, underside only has soft padding - this keeps bones in place but allows for swelling. After that it was changed to a full cast, think it was fibreglass, looked like a bandage but when they wet it before wrapping it on and it dried rock hard within 30 mins, lighter than plaster of paris.

This stayed on for further 3 weeks. I was most surprised to only be in plaster for total 4 1/2 weeks. Initial relief to hear plaster was coming off and pins removed was shortlived.......

Blimey it is painful without the support of the cast - I didn't expect that, though they did say I would get shooting, stabbing and aching pains, I didn't really anticipate to what extent, or that I'd feel like Humpty Dumpty.

Started physio immediately, given mobilisation exercises to do at home for first week, surprised at how RIGID my wrist is, like trying to bend and turn a tree stump. Finger movements not so bad though, but no strength whatsoever.

Supidly thought plaster would come off, little bit of physio...............put it all behind me and drive off to work, all done and dusted in 6-8 weeks, tops. Somehow I don't think that's going to happen, silly me.

Think it's worse when the bone shatters at the joint, can't seem to find a forum with someone who has same experience to share, maybe offer me some reassurance about timescales etc.

If anyone is interested, I got a great product off the internet to keep cast completely dry in bath/shower/pool, good quality sealed plastic with rubber seal - called 'Limbo' £10 +pp £3 fast delivery, hospital gave me the leaflet. Also used a chopstick to disobey instructions not to shove things down the cast and scratch, just used it to give a gentle rub when it was driving me nuts.

9 likes, 242 replies

242 Replies

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  • sandra63056
    sandra63056 sagalout1954

    Posted

    To all the new people regarding this discussion, Once the plaster comes off take it slowly. You will be suprised at what you can do and also at what you can't. This morning I managed to blow dry my hair, sixth week since my fall, my daughter has been doing this until now, but can't press the aerosol can for deodorant and last night caused myself some pain whilst trying to slice and chop an onion.
  • iamashortie
    iamashortie sagalout1954

    Posted

    Hey. Those of you that recovered about how long after surgery did your hand start feeling better where you didn't need to do your physical therapy every morning? Also about how long did it take for the aches to go away? I can't wait to have my mornings back and the aches to go away.
    • rosie56798
      rosie56798 iamashortie

      Posted

      Hi - it is now nearly six months since I had surgery - I am still doing the exercises as my wrist is stiff in the morning.  Know what you mean about the time it takes although I only do ten repetitions of four exercises. I should be doing them four or five times a day.   I am finding it difficult to fit in doing them in the day time and the same applies to  the putty.  
    • chrisp55
      chrisp55 iamashortie

      Posted

      Hi I broke my distal radius over 8 months ago and my wrist is still sore and stiff! Of course there has been impovement but I am very aware that things are not back to normal yet.

      I have developed arthritis where the break was so things are painful and slow. But I am certain this doesn't happen to most people!!!! I am still told to keep using the hand as much as possible, exercise it , and keep it warm.  Good luck.

  • iamashortie
    iamashortie sagalout1954

    Posted

    Thanks for the response. I guess I still have a long ways to go still. I have no patience for this...haha, but I have no choice but to be patient.So frustrating, but I know it'll get better.

    Oh no chrisp55. I hope you feel better and the arthritis goes away.

  • paula33283
    paula33283 sagalout1954

    Posted

    Fell down stairs broke my right wrist in May but fingers very swollen on my 14th cast ..had 3 k wires also got them put 1 wk ago . 
  • sandra63056
    sandra63056 sagalout1954

    Posted

    Hi Everyone, Its my second day back at work as an accountant, off 7 weeks, plaster off for the last 2.  Had one physio session on Thursday last, sent away with 5 exercises to do 3 times a day, possibly after a hot bath.  Finding it hard to fit in the physio now i'm back at work and after a hot bath i feel so relaxed that i dont want to cause myself any pain.  Getting really bad aches from using the mouse yesterday and today, outside length of arm above little finger. The physio did ask me if i would be getting a phased return to work,  if that is what the physio thought i should have done, why cant they issue a fit note to state that. Still finding it difficult to carry any sort of weight in right hand, i.e shopping, last Thursday couldnt carry a dozen eggs and a chicken leg in a carrier bag.  When will this get better????
    • Paul_M10s
      Paul_M10s sandra63056

      Posted

      Hi Sandra

      At 9 weeks after I had my wrist plated, 10 screws.I had my final appointment with my surgeon, as I am an engineer he said my wrist would not be ready for heavy work and he signed me off for a further 3 weeks. Also from what I have been told from the get go 12weeks is the healing time for the bone to regain strength. Despite this I was given the go ahead to commence my cycling after 6 weeks as long as I wore a brace. I am now comfortably cycling 50mile rides no problem ( with a specialist sports brace) however even lifting heavy items now at certain angles is not confidence inspiring. I have got almost all my movement back, only putting my palm up to make a "stop sign" is not quite there yet, however I have found that one I have cycled 50 miles it loosens up and while bathing or showering I can get more & more movement out of it.

  • sandra63056
    sandra63056 sagalout1954

    Posted

    Hi, sorry to bother you, but your case is remarkably similar to mine.  I attended my 2nd physio session yesterday, 1st was last Thursday.  NHS physio was pleased with my progress within the week but did say that I had 70% mobility back and if I did my exercises could expect to reach 90% but wouldn't get the 100% movement back.  What is your wrist like now a year later.
    • jeannette54
      jeannette54 sandra63056

      Posted

      Hi, I'll be replying on behalf of 'sagalout1954', seeing as that is actually me (lost log in stuff so re-joined some time ago with a new 'alias')

      It's actually over 4 years since this happened to me, bit misleading as when I originally started this thread it now just says "over a year ago".  However, at the 1 year point I would say I was pretty much at 99% mobility & strength (probably before then with mobility). Religeous exercising of the wrist (but not to a painful level) will get you along the road to a faster recovery. At about the 1 year mark the only real thing I noticed was that I probably couldn't have done push-ups. Seeing as I couldn't do them before it didn't really matter cheesygrin My wrist was a touch weak with the mildest discomfort if I sat on the floor and lent back on my hands with the palms flat (like you might at a picnic or concert).  It just went on it's own & I stopped noticing it. The only lasting thing I can say I is bending wrists forward there is a very slight difference, just a marginal lost of the same flex level as the other wrist.  Twisting palms in either direction or flexing hands backwards is identical on both sides & strength is the same.  I think one year may be a good 'marker' for best recovery level, but every day living, shopping, cooking, cleaning, lifting, working will all add to re-mobilising your wrist.  My physio said "after 1 year you will be saying what broken wrist".  Pretty much correct but it didn't stop me worrying.

  • sandra63056
    sandra63056 sagalout1954

    Posted

    Thank you Jeanette for your reply, gives me some hope.  As you say the bending of the wrist forward is my biggest problem at the moment, and like you and as I told the physio, I'm not really into push ups anyway.  I think being in work and using a mouse for the day is adding to the stiffnes as the wrist is bending the other way for the majority of the day, but I will endeavour to bend my wrist along the back of my dining chair after a nice hot bath this evening.
  • Meshami
    Meshami sagalout1954

    Posted

    Hi all, glad I found this forum.  Will relate my story almost 3 years after my injury.

    As you can imagine, I shattered my distal radius near the joint, ripped the tendon, and chipped a piece off the distal ulnar bone.  Went through a 3 1/2 surgery for plate and screws to put together the pieces, along with the tendon repair, and then was fitted with an external fixator.  They didn't cast me, just kept me (too tightly!!) wrapped up.  It was almost bad enough the bone doc was considering fusing the wrist.

    Luckily, I broke the left wrist, I am right handed.  I've never broken a bone before so assumed all I was going through was normal.  Severe pain, swelling, loss of mobility, etc.  As it was a horrible time in my life (my hubby passed away just days after my break), I really didn't pay attention to all of the details.  I did manage to do all I was told though, follow ups and rehab and all. 

    After 6 weeks of the external fixator it was removed.  The plate and screws are permanent.  Was kept in a wrist brace, the type with a hard back, for 3 more months.  I actually found comfort wearing it for 6 months, when not doing the excercises. 

    From what I've read the pain should have been totally gone within the year of the break.  Now, here it is, almost 3 years later, and I am seeking answers to why I still hurt.  I was given a 'good to go' so have been trying to use my left hand like I used to, but sometimes... it hurts.  And sometimes, it just hurts for no reason at all.  Burning, shooting pain that sucks the breath out of me.  I had stupidly just assumed the weather was changing and such.  After all, I did break the thing and have heard too many people (was an xray tech 10 years) say their broken bones can tell them when the weather changes.   But strangely, no weather change after these pains. 

    It hurts when I type, carry anything, rotate it, I can't bend it down but a quarter of the way and not much at all if my thumb is not pulled inward (if that makes sense).  The tendon that was ripped sticks up obviously through the middle of my wrist when I bend the wrist backwards, apparently not stretched out to it's former length.  The skin on my left hand is noticeably drier, more wrinkled, and darker in color than my right hand.  The 3 different places I was cut and then stiched up have scars from the stitching, showing how the swelling pulled and tore the skin from the swelling.  They are still obvious.

    From what I read, my symptoms point to CRPS, though I have not been diagnosed yet.  Not sure what to do at this point.  I don't want to be dependent on meds, and can take the pain for the most part.  What I want to know..  will it get better, or worse?

    Anyway, just thought I'd introduce myself.

    Have no idea what to do.  Am not working right now, and not sure what I will be able to do about this.  In my life I have been a hairstylist (almost renewed license before the break), and recently an xray tech.  Both professions require heavy wrist movement or weight pulling/lifting.  I tried for almost a year to hold a part time job doing xrays but the constant moving of patients made my wrist hurt a lot.  I kind of sabbotaged that job (probably subconsiously intentional) and was let go.  That was a year and half ago.

    Have only recently started researching into the cause of this continued pain, and hopefully I now have an answer.  Tell the truth, I'm glad it's something and not just in my head or me being a wimp.

    Still in the phase or reading up.  I have no clue if this is going to get better or worse.  I just know, almost 3 years later, my wrist is not 'normal'.  People that don't have these issues don't understand.  Glad to know there are some out there dealing with some of the same stuff and don't feel so quite alone.  Thanks for letting me get my story out.

    P

    • Cassp
      Cassp Meshami

      Posted

      Hi Meshami, I really feel for you going through all this after 3 years. Until I broke my distal radius I had no idea what a dreadful experience it is to fracture a bone - now I tell everyone so there can perhaps be a little more empathy for sufferers.

      But what you're going through is beyond the pale. Unfortunately I don't have any medical experience so any advice I can give is nothing more than conjecture, but a couple of things occur to me from the masses of reading I did when I was trying to understand my injury. First, I learnt that some people have ongoing problems and pain from their plates and eventually have them removed. It doesn't happen to everyone but it might be contributing to your pain and it might be worth checking if that's a possibility for you.

      Second, like you, I also had horrible burning shooting pains and I came to the conclusion that they were nerve pains - neuropathy. They disappeared immediately after the cast was removed but I wonder if the plate is contributing in your case. And another thought. There are many reports of carpal tunnel syndrome as a side-effect of wrist surgery - again worth checking out.

      Or, as you say, it might be compartment syndrome in which case the underlying cause needs to be identified so a solution can be found.

      Whatever the cause, I strongly urge you to seek a medical opinion - or more than one if necessary. I really don't think you need to put up with this. Good luck and keep posting, 

       

  • paula33283
    paula33283 sagalout1954

    Posted

    i fell down two flights of stairs broke my distial raduis had 3 k wires in .. Was put in cast but fingers kept swelling so I had altogether 14 cast on from 15 th may till 2 new july . Wrist was at angle of 32 the whole time now 2 was later got it to angle of 18 very little movement. In my fingers cannot bend them yet and still swollen attending the ot 3 times a wk oh and it was my right wrist ..feel useless cannot do much still be in alt of pain ..does it get better
    • Cassp
      Cassp paula33283

      Posted

      Hello Paula, I know it's hard to believe but it WILL get better. What you have described is very similar to what I experienced - at the time I couldn't believe it would ever get better, but it does, and you're already past the worst of it. Just keep doing your exercises and You will continue to improve. At first it takes forever to get any movement but as you keep exercising you'll find that you get more flexibility and the swelling will go down. And if the pain is too great ask your doctor for a prescription to help you get through the next couple of weeks.
    • paula33283
      paula33283 Cassp

      Posted

      How long is it from ur accident ... And what kind of movement do u have now ..is there light at the end of the tunnel ..
    • Cassp
      Cassp paula33283

      Posted

      Hi Paula, I'm sorry to be slow in replying - I thought I had but I think it disappeared into the ether. I had my accident on 30 November last year and now I can do just about everything I could do before it, just some stiffness which goes if I remember to exercise it. I had bad pain the whole time it was in the cast (6 weeks), it slowly diminished and then shot up again when the cast was removed, but thanks to this forum I was prepared for that. I would say the worst was over after about 2 - 2.5 months, though it continued to ache for a few weeks after that. After a couple of weeks of PT I started to notice improvements, sometimes small, sometimes greater and that gave me an incentive to keep exercising (also good advice I got from this forum). Also, my therapist pushed it quite hard - I hated it, but was later grateful.

      The main things I learnt were to keep exercising as much as I could manage, to take pain medication including before my PT sessions. I learnt not wait till the pain came on to take meds, because then it was too late and to use ice and heat as necessary. And eventually a doctor gave me some sleeping tablets - the first in my life - and that allowed me to sleep more than the 3 hours I'd been managing until then. And I was very good at asking people to assist me. 

      I've been good now for about 3 months, so there really is light at the end of the tunnel. 

      Good luck - and it's worth reading through the entries here as there are lost of useful tips.

    • ellen72377
      ellen72377 Cassp

      Posted

      Hello there, just read your experience and I feel so much better after reading the part about pt. I've just had my 2nd session, last Friday and Friday just gone, it has ruined my weekend. I've realised now I'm not coming down with an illness and it must be the pt.did you experience headaches etc after pt? I was wearing a futora splint after two weeks and I was warned straight after surgery I would have to work hard, this because although I had orif surgery, it's still in pieces. On Friday my pt advised me to stop using the splint as I was relying on it too much, so my question is, why is my wrist hurting even more? This is my 6th week after surgery, the exercises are so painful, even trying to straighten my arm is not happening. How long was it before you could actually say you was back to normal? I've been told I will never get full function back and will suffer with arthritis as the wrist has been set uneven (apparently couldn't be helped). But I just want to be back in the gym and pain free.

      Ellen

    • Paul_M10s
      Paul_M10s ellen72377

      Posted

      Hi Ellen sorry to hear they didn't or couldn't  set your wrist correctly, I had a exceptional surgeon who did a truly magnificent job at reattaching my hand to my arm. The thing is your wrist is now very strong as I presume you are sporting titanium enhancement. As my physio informed me 2weeks post op , you yourself performing the rather brutal exercises can not damage it. The pain of them is magnificent unfortunately the more you expect your wrist to self heal the worse  it will be as your joint will fuse and limit movement and the limited movement will be stiff and painful. To give you an indication of the pain that I experienced, my wife is by no means squeamish however she would not stop in the room as I would work it so hard that I would be physically exhausted with the pain, the more it hurt the harder I would force movement. Truly excruciating to be honest,but that is what you have to do. I was told before my op that my wrist would have limited permanently stiff movement, it would be 12 months before I would be able to cycle again. 6 weeks post op I was given the all clear and was cycling 30 mile rides, this was very hard and the next day I could hardly lift my head,however within 12weeks I was back to cycling 100mile rides. It will be 2yrs in April since my accident a 40mph cycling crash and now my wrist is 98% and have more movement in it than a lot of people have in undamaged wrists, no pain and no stiffness. Try getting your wrist nice and warm, hot water in the hand basin and do some exercises with it submerged, palm flat force your arm up to try and promote movement. I do not make light of the pain, I remember remarking that if I didn't want to ride my bike that I would gladly never move my wrist again! Every little movement felt like it would snap.

    • ellen72377
      ellen72377 Paul_M10s

      Posted

      Hi Paul, you have honestly made me a bit more confident about doing the exercises. I'm trying to get my head around the fact it won't snap if I move it too much, it feels so fragile but I am squeamish too. I'm constantly doing the exercises but probably not pushing myself as much as I should. One of things I'm desperate to get back into is spinning so I need to get this sorted. Hats off to you for you pushing through it, and 40mph! I was only walking at a fast pace and went down a pothole! I have a. Titanium plate but it has been set with a step in the middle and there are pieces that he couldn't do anything with apparently. I'm back in 3 months and if it's not right then a wrist fusion is the next step. Thanks again for your reply, as I said it's given me more confidence to push it that not harder but I'm not going to lie, I'm getting back on the paracetamol haha

    • Paul_M10s
      Paul_M10s ellen72377

      Posted

      Hi Ellen , I hope heal and do not need your wrist fused. I myself have a 6inch titanium plate held in place with 7screws into my hand and 3 up my arm. Fortunately you can not tell my wrist has been damaged looking at it all is aligned  100%perfect. To be honest I still do not like to touch my wrist. Unfortunately all you can do is accept the pain (excruciating) and bend that wrist. I hope you progress, I found that I was making very little headway with movement then it just came on leaps and bounds.
    • suzanne24
      suzanne24 ellen72377

      Posted

      Hi Ellen I would do everything you can to avoid a fusion, the feeling of never being able to bend your wrist again is horrible, I basically I have no wrist !  Returning to cycling is in serious doubt, certainly not for any distance. I hope yours heals without a fusion
    • ellen72377
      ellen72377 Paul_M10s

      Posted

      Thanks Paul, fortunately it's only on the X-ray you can see it's not aligned. I have 7 screws with the plate but nothing up my arm. You really have made a good recovery which you obviously worked hard at so I'm inspired to get my backside in gear. I'm not sure if I mentioned this in the original post, I'm having a problem straightening my arm, it sits at angle, did you have this problem? ATM I'm trying to hang my arm over anything with something in my hand to bear weight down (physio suggested this) but it honestly feels like it's not making any difference.

    • ellen72377
      ellen72377 suzanne24

      Posted

      Hi Suzanne, I didn't even consider the fact I would have no wrist. Did they do the fusion straight away or was it secondary to a failed operation? Was it a long recovery? I honestly feel like wrapping myself in bubble wrap in future!

      Ellen

    • suzanne24
      suzanne24 ellen72377

      Posted

      Hi again Ellen, 

      Original fracture was distal radius and into the joint. It was plated with a volar plate and a carpal tunnel release. After removal of the cast 6 weeks post op I wore a splint but on review the plate had come lose and had to be removed. At this point it was fused with a short fusion plate but that also came out so a long fusion plate was used which goes from the knuckle of the middle finger and half way up the radius, it was also fused with bone graft from my hip. About 8 weeks after that surgey I had to have the ulna shortened (due to loss of wrist) and plated. My arm is still deformed, shorter than the other one and has no movement, we are considering something called a Scheker implant to get some supination and pronation although I don't think I want to go through more surgery. It's now just over a year since I was knocked over by a car as a pedestrian and I'm still learning to write again. So yes it's been a long recovery and like you I want some bubble wrap !! I think my case has been very complicated so if you do end up needing a fusion I hope it goes better fo you, I'm sure it will. I just wanted to say something so that you can be sure you really give everything else a chance before fusion, work hard at that physio. I notice you say you do spinning, I am having to have my handle bars specially adapted in an attempt to find a comfortable position so a fusion will impact on this too.

      Good luck  

    • ellen72377
      ellen72377 suzanne24

      Posted

      Oh Suzanne you have a real rough time of it, what you've had to go through in a short space of time. And to make it worse it sounds like it was your dominant hand. I feel so bad for complaining now. I really hope it all works out in the end. my gp has decided to send me for a dexa scan as she thinks I've done too much damage considering I only tripped on a pothole, nothing as traumatic as you and the other guy paul although it took me 3 days to remember what happened. Are you driving yet or is that a silly question? I'll be a lot happier when I can drive. I'll keep you informed of progress, and please let me know how you get on.

    • suzanne24
      suzanne24 ellen72377

      Posted

      Likewise they gave me a Dexa scan, Yes it's my dominant hand. I didn't drive for 11 months but can do short drives now although it aches and I do have an automatic car. You weren't complaining, what I've realised is that in many ways wrist fractures are the hardest fractures to cope with. I think the pain you get is the bones repairing and the muscles rebuilding, mine aches most in the morning and I guess that's when most of the repairing happens.

    • Paul_M10s
      Paul_M10s ellen72377

      Posted

      Yep my arm would not straighten for quite a while. The first press-up's I attempted were quite comical as well as painful. I would work on my wrist movement every couple of hours, then after 6 weeks when I was cycling 30 miles as soon as I returned home I was applying a bag of frozen peas to reduce the swelling. If you do not like pain take some paracetamol and co-codamol the steep your wrist in hot water then force it to move , when it moves no more press with a lot of force and repeat. Each time try to endure a little more pain. 

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