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Shattered Distal Radius

Posted , 65 users are following.

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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  • rosie56798
    rosie56798 sagalout1954

    Posted

    Responding to anyone and everyone!  I took part in the discussion earlier in the year having been so pleased to find this thread.  Recap - fell over on the ice and broke radius which was pinned and plated and ulna which was left to heal on its own.  Carpal tunnel operation at same time.  BOGOF!  Plus a few weeks earlier I had torn the tendon on middle finger on same hand!  Like other people have commented the ulna seemed to give me the most pain.  Spent two weeks in a cast and then a brace which I was told to keep on as needed at the hospital.  Few days later physiotherapaist told me to keep on all the time!  Confusing!  Kept on all the time unit my next  consultant's appointment which was about six weeks after original break and he said it would heal much better without brace and not to wear it!   

    Anyway enough of that!  I was referred onwards from physiotherapist to hand therapist who has recently discharged me unless I feel I need more therapy.  Like others have commented it is hard to believe that you will have normal use of your wrist again.  I couldn't put my palm up to wash my hair and then weeks or months later you realise you do it without thinking about it.    Same with a lot of movements and activities.  

    My movements, for the most part, are back to normal but I am having to work on my strength and have putty which I try and use when I am reading the paper or being a passenger in the car!  I returned to swimming and running as soon as the cast came off - on the advice of the physiotherapist - although I was very mindful of having my hand knocked!  I have also returned to riding my bike although that took longer as I had to wait till I had the strength to brake!

    I am still not back to full strength in my wrist - I joked that I would know I was when I could open a bottle of prossecco again!!! I have managed it once!  But I can do the things I could before.  I am still doing the exercises I have been given as my wrist is still a bit stiff especially on waking and I know when I have done too much on my allotment.    I also still get weird sensations in my hand which the hand therapist are nerve pains from all the nerves being jiggled around.  These too have diminished.   The hand therapist also said by working on strength it stops you feeling so clumsy as your fingers work better.  Or something like that!

    At the beginning of the year I never thought I would be back doing the things I enjoy by now.  So to everyone in the same situation - KOKO - keep on keeping on!   You will get there! 

    • jeannette54
      jeannette54 rosie56798

      Posted

      Ha ha, love the "BOGOF".  Great to update people on your progress.  I hope others who sustain injuries of any description start 'blog' style threads, it's reassuring for others to see light at the end of the tunnel.

      Hopefully you will continue to improve.  The only reminder I have are 2 scars on my wrist where my pins were, the third has faded completely.  I expected to have some arthritic type problems in that wrist, particularly in the winter months & as I age, but that has not been the case so far.  Many years after a friend broke her wrist it still gives her twinges in winter.

      Good luck everyone

      (AKA sagalout1954)

  • sandra63056
    sandra63056 sagalout1954

    Posted

    I am so glad to have found this discussion. Have been looking at various info over the past 5weeks but most of it  is the medical profession. Broke my wrist in 3 places and had it plated and pinned.Was in a&e for 5 hours before it was decided I needed a manipulation.was sent to a different hospital for that as they didn't have the facility. The manipulation was done under local anaeshetic. Had a further x-ray and it was decided that an operation was needed. After being told this I had to wait a further 4 hours only to be told there was no bed and I was sent home in a cast. 2 days later I had a call from the hospital to attend a day surgery, I was going to have my op. I arrived at 7.30am and waited in the day surgery ward in my pyjamas until 4.30pm when I was told again there was no bed available. I was again sent home. A week after my fall down my garden steps I did have my operation.that was 4 weeks ago and my cast has just come off. In all I had 4  casts in 5 weeks I now have a removable splint with Velcro straps but am trying to do without it as much as possible. I did expect to be normal as soon as the cast came off and I can appreciate some of the comments (a stick to wave about or the mannequins arm). I felt exactly the same on Thursday, today is Tuesday. My arm felt like it didn't belong to me, it doesn't  even look like my arm and my wrist was pretty stiff. I have been doing finger exercises from the beginning as my surgeon told me to before my hospital discharge. On reaching for a glass of water my hand reminded me of a mechanical arm. But little by little over the past 5 days I have improved ever so slowly. Couldn't bend my wrist upwards at present if I tried but try to do some exercises in the bath. Still waiting for a physio appointment, have a not fit for work statement until June 26th, but still my employer is asking that now my cast is off, will I be returning to work.
    • Paul_M10s
      Paul_M10s sandra63056

      Posted

      Hi Sandra , I too had my wrist plated, 7 screws holding it to my hand and 3 up my arm. As an engineer by the time I return to work I will have been off for 12 weeks. 6 weeks after my op I was cycling again ( with my wrist braced) 7 weeks and a few days I am cycling 50 mile rides. All my cycling was ok'd by my surgeon however due to my profession my bone is not strong enough. Depending on the nature of your work it is a health and safety issue as your employer will be responsible for you should you further injury your wrist. With your wrist being plated should you fall before the bone is strong which takes about 12 weeks after the op you would be in big trouble. 
    • sandra63056
      sandra63056 Paul_M10s

      Posted

      Thank you paul for your reply .I am an accountant so no heavy manual work involved, but I  have told my employer that i will be abiding by my consultants decision,
    • jason1968
      jason1968 sandra63056

      Posted

      Hi, I also shattered my wrist radius falling from a ladder at Easter weekend this year.

      I too have it fixed with a plate and 11 screws, also broke the ulna styloid process as well.

      Returned to work last week and so far so good. I'm a HGV driver which involves loading etc but have coped ok. I had 3 physio sessions when my cast came off but with returning to work I am unable to attend anymore until July so been doing them at home/work etc.

      The surgeon has told me to use my hand which is the right one as much as possible and i think returning to work has actually helped, although I was apprehensive at first.

    • sandra63056
      sandra63056 jason1968

      Posted

      Hi jason, I must say that every day I see an improvement, I have broken this wrist before so I have been given physio exercises previously,although a more straightforward break so I have been doing those. I have my 1st physio session with the hospital next Thursday which will make it 2 weeks after my cast came off and the day before I am due back at work.I agree that using the hand which has the break helps a great deal in doing everyday things, but little and often. 
    • jason1968
      jason1968 sandra63056

      Posted

      Hi Sandra, glad to here your progressing.I don't think there's any other way than slowly with this sort of injury!

      The first physio session I had really helped, it was 6 weeks after my accident and about 10 days after my cast or last one I should say came off, as I had 3 casts in all, the 2nd one which was a full synthetic one I had to have cut off at A+E as I was in the 3rd week.

      It had been great up to then but I got it slightly wet in the shower one time and also I missed a hospital appointment when it should have come off due to a course I was booked on that week, so partly my fault.It was 2 weeks before I could get another one.

      Then they put me in another half cast which I had to cut off myself after 3 days.

      Then I had the standard nhs flint support, which was uncomfortable so I bought one of the internet which much better.

      Whoops sorry, going of on a bit of a tangent there!

      Anyway don't really need it now as my wrist as improved a lot these last 2 weeks, and my physiotherapist says try not to use it if possible.

      Good luck with your physio I'm sure you will see a big improvement after you've been a few times.

    • suzanne24
      suzanne24 Paul_M10s

      Posted

      Hi Paul, don't know if you are still here but I'm trying to get back to cycling. Your  message says you had screws in the hand and arm does that mean your wrist is fused? I had to have a fusion following fracture and now can't find a comfortable position on the handlebars as I can't bend the wrist at all. Just wondering if you had a fusion how you overcame it? 

    • ian_14246
      ian_14246 suzanne24

      Posted

      Hi Suzzanne - my injury had a slightly different treatment pathway to Paul and your own - I broke the radius and ulna and required k wire surgery early Jan 2016. I came out of the cast on feb 17 and wires out th same day.

      I started physio the following day (I paid for this) and continued weekly for around 6 weeks. I also got my myself a parafin wax heater off ebay for about £40 and soaked my arm in it most days before I started the physio exercises myself at home.

      I cycled about 3 weeks after and five weeks after did my trg camp in Lanzarote which I had had to delay. I had some minor aches. Ut nothing major and was able to get back to full training quite quickly - I am convinced due to the physio- he made me do wrist exercises I would not have dared myself at that stage. It hurt at times but was worth it.

      Only negative was I had another fall in July and broke my clavicle so was back to square one until October!!

      Good luck but try and get as much physio as possible

    • pamela05464
      pamela05464 suzanne24

      Posted

      Hi Suzanne (and Ian).  I am so sorry for what you both have been through.  I shattered my right distal radius from a fall on July 1, 2016.  I came out of surgery with an external fixator, 2 screws, one screw in my hand and one in my fore arm, that held a rod going across the top.  I started physical therapy right after the fixator was removed which was 6 weeks from surgery.  At 66 years old, I had very little hope of ever having the use of my right wrist again, and i am right handed.   I am also a fitness instructor, so the thought of not being able to do what I love, was very depressing.

      I started in occupational therapy but was unsatisfied, so I researched and found a hand therapist which made all the difference.  They actually had paraffin wax treatment there.   I am amazed at what I can do in 6 months.  I think being fortunate to have an excellent, knowledgeable, motivating hand therapist was everything.  

      I could not bend my wrist at all and I had no grip or use of my fingers.  I can bend it downwards perfectly now, and I am still limited backwards but I am slowly improving.  My grip is better, and I lift weights, so my determination to do that has helped improve my grip.  

      Some mornings my wrist wakes me up throbbing, but then I remember what I forced it to do the day before, and I'm OK with it.  At other times it is very stiff in the morning, so I do some exercises when I first get up and that helps.

      I hope this has helped you, not sure it has, but in reading your posts, the fact that you are determined to get back to cycling, I am sure that you will.

      I know everyone always says patience is the key, I didn't want to hear it, but it's so true, and then you will be amazed at what you can do!!!!!

      I wish everyone a speedy recovery, and I am so thankful to the founder of this post, because above everything, this is what got me through when I was at my lowest and in excrutiating pain.

      Thank you everyone, and Good Luck to you Suzanne and Ian, I know you will recover, the key is that you get to that place that you know that you will recover!!!

       

    • suzanne24
      suzanne24 pamela05464

      Posted

      Hi Ian and Pamela and thanks for your stories, my problem, I think, is different as my wrist is totally fused and will never bend again, my consultant said to think that I have an extended arm and no wrist, although overall my arm is now shorther than the left. The plate goes from my knucles to half way up the radius, there is no movement in any direction sad sad I'm hoping to find a way of adapting the bike so I can ride without twisting my back and shoulders. 

      I am improving my grip with physio and have Di2 gears on the bike with hydraulic brakes I just need a comfortable position to ride in. Any suggestions from anyone would be most welcome.

      It really is good to read that so many people have come through bad breaks and understand how much it afects us. Is there anyone on here who has had a full fusion?

    • Paul_M10s
      Paul_M10s suzanne24

      Posted

      Hi Suzanne, I am very sorry for your injury. I have a 5 or 6 inch titanium plate held in place by 7 screws into my hand and 3 up my arm. I have regained 99 % of full movement in my wrist to what I had and have more movement in it than most people's undamaged wrists. Considering how bad it was, snapped off I have been very fortunate indeed.It is most disappointing that you now have no wrist articulation. I know how difficult it was riding with a rigid brace as I was cycling 6 weeks post op. But only 30miles to begin with and the next day I would be exhausted. Firstly despite lack of movement I would recommend a very good sports brace to prevent further damage incase of a fall. I use sports dynamics they are the only good one that I could find they are made in Texas( wristbraceguy  on instagram)and hard to source in the UK , I never ever ride without it. Di2 will be great for your limited movement also I hate to say it disc brakes would help I guess. The best advice I could give would be to get a professional bike fit. To help you ride around your issue. I commend your fortitude don't give up I managed to ride around it when I had a rigid brace. I wish you the very best. 

    • penny51021
      penny51021 suzanne24

      Posted

      Hi Suzanne, I am really sorry to hear about your wrist. It's so hard coming to terms with the loss. Hearing about your details made me me feel better about mine as yours does sound very bad. I too am a cyclist, and guitar player, and now unable to do either of these after being wiped out by a car whilst on a cycling holiday in Spain on 30th September 2016. My finger function is now quite good but movement in my wrist is severely limited and as time goes on I become less hopeful about the prognosis. With regards cycling, I splashed out and bought myself a new Wahoo Kickr power smart trainer and sync it up to Zwift. Although no substitute for the real road, it has helped get my fitness back and helped me feel less alone as I am riding (and racing in fact) with others from all over the world! More importantly though, I use tri bars, so I don't even have to hold on with my bad wrist because I can just rest on my elbow. Would this work for you?

    • suzanne24
      suzanne24 Paul_M10s

      Posted

      Thanks Paul and Penny for your ideas. I will certainly look up those braces as you say to prevent any further damage. I am a full year post accident now (bizarrely I was a pedestrian not on the bike at the time and taken out by a car as I stepped onto the pavement) Had a bike fit today and they are going to try and mould something onto the bars to rest my hand on when gripping the hoods as all pressure will currently be taken in the thumb and first finger joint.

      They also suggest tri bars to rest the forearm on and this will be a little bit further down the line as I also suffered a back injury sad sad but this is returning to pre accident.

      Thank you it's great to talk to others and see how they have got round the problems. I cancelled London to Paris last summer and don't think I will be up to over 120 mile a day by this summer......maybe next year .....

    • Paul_M10s
      Paul_M10s suzanne24

      Posted

      I remember I was first using a rigid splint type sports brace which had a aluminium splint that sat in your palm and went up the underside of the wrist, this allowed me to take my weight through my palm also. At times I was not elegant, however I was determined and within 10 weeks I was back to 100mile rides. Looking back riding so soon after my injury with the (lack) of control it allowed me was extreme but it worked, I remember a gust of wind nearly twisted the bars out of my hands when I was on the drops and that hurt my wrist a little. The brace I now use is a fantastic bit of kit it is fully articulated and so comfortable I don't even know that I am wearing it. For yourself you can adjust it to prevent any palm up movements as well as side to side. Honestly I really do feel for you, I know the fear and dread that I felt when I was told my wrist was a write off, I am an engineer and require good dexterity, my surgeon was amazing. I wish that you had been as fortunate. Just thinking I can not see how it affects your grip on the hoods to a big degree, I know you say your back is also injured, I ride with my elbows bent and flat back never with locked straight arms. Ah sorry for that you need side movement to angle your hand to the hoods so that could be an issue. I am sure a good setup can be found and allow you to enjoy your cycling. Best of luck and keep me up to speed on your progress and success.

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