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Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) Distal Radius Recovery
Bones, Joints & Muscles | Last Active: Aug 9 6:51pm | Replies (10)Comment receiving replies
Hello @walk4life, I'd like to invite @adr to this discussion as they have had the ORIF surgery you are about to embark on and they may be able to share their recovery timeline and experience with you.
I'd also like to invite @ginurse1967 and @wascaly who have an ORIF procedure done, but on different areas of the body. Although the bones were different, they experience with an intensive surgery like ORIF may share some similarities in recovery and restrictions as you are about to face with your distal radius ORIF.
@walk4life, Have you discussed the restrictions beyond sweating? Will you be in a hard cast following the surgery? Having a discussion about pain management beforehand can help set the table for open discussions on how they will approach pain management as well as what you can expect and what will be considered normal or abnormal levels of pain.
Replies to "Hello @walk4life, I'd like to invite @adr to this discussion as they have had the ORIF..."
i had ORIF for shattered humerus that happened in a fall. I have a plate and 9 screws in my arm. I received a nerve block during surgery and had no pain for a few hours until it wore off. Was told to start pain meds right away, which I did.
i was in pain, but what i found to be most helpful was ice. I took tylenol and stopped the pain meds after a week or so.
The pain was there. I had lots of help around the house with chores and it allowed me to take care of myself and rest as much as i could.
Right after surgery, I had physical therapy 3x's a week for 9 months. It was intense and the ice was so helpful. There were times where I felt that the pt wasn't helping and the therapist told me not to get discouraged. So I didn't. I keep working my arm under her guidance. And slowly, I noticed I could do more and more. Support for me was important. Even listening to music helped me get to sleep at night.
I did not have a cast, but had a sling. I had to sleep on my back or my uninjured side with lots of pillows in my back. The therapist showed me how to do this. Nothing about not sweating, I did not have stitches, I had some medical glue for the incision.
its been 2 years, sometimes, I still feel some pain for a short while, but it goes away. I have almost full range of motion, but its not like before. and that is ok. I can still do everything I did.
If there are specific questions, please feel free to reach out.
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@JustinMcClanahan , thanks for your reply. I am now 6 days post op. I was not in a hard cast. I had a heavy surgical dressing with a splint. That was removed 3 days after surgery in therapy. I can now get the incision wet - no plastic covering in the shower! Then pat dry and cover with sterile gauze pad, then sleeve, then splint. I am going to therapy twice a week. I have reduced my use of percocet to taking at night and before therapy. I take Advil during the day. I am having trouble sleeping at night. For some reason last night I woke up with level 7-8 pain in my upper arm ( same arm as surgery). My staples will be removed on August13 - 2 weeks post op. After that i can return to regular activities as tolerated with the exception of no pressure/ heavy weight bearing on surgical wrist. I should be in a splint for 6-8 weeks.