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Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) Distal Radius Recovery
Bones, Joints & Muscles | Last Active: 8 hours ago | Replies (25)Comment receiving replies
Arghh! I am 7 weeks post-op with plate and 11 screws in my right radius. My surgeon told me my radius was “dusted” and 8/10 on a severity scale. I also fractured my ulna, which did not require hardware. 10 days ago, I was released to start wrist exercises. My issue is swelling and inability to sleep. During the day things are pretty good. Range of motion continues to increase and I can manage the swelling with ice and heat. At night, my wrist, palm and back of hand swell up. Nothing I do can prevent this. I wake up with painfully stiff and swollen fingers with all range of motion seemingly back to square 1. I’ve been told that finding the right balance on home PT can help. I tend to be aggressive with my PT because I want a full recovery. I still can’t make a fist, and have very limited ability to grip. X-rays look fine. Anyone else have a similar journey?
Replies to "Arghh! I am 7 weeks post-op with plate and 11 screws in my right radius. My..."
Had the same surgery 8 weeks ago (broke my radius in 3 different areas, and fracture my ulna styloid) but instead it was my left wrist. I still cannot do supination. My fingers are still stiff every morning and it takes all day to get them working. I can type now and use my had a little bit, but still not able to make a full fist either. Apparently it takes time, but this process is very frustrating.
Yes! Very similar experience. I just got a 2nd opinion and was diagnosed with acute carpal tunnel syndrome, which apparently can be triggered by forceful falls. I will be getting carpal tunnel surgery in the next few weeks to address this. So perhaps you could be evaluated to see if you also have acute CTS. Good luck!
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Seven weeks is not long - please, ice, ice, ice and give that shattered bone a chance. It is most likely not fully healed yet.
Have you tried sleeping with your arm/wrist/hand elevated on a pillow, and using ice at night?
When I had swelling after wrist surgery, I was also instructed to sit with my arm/wrist/hand above my heart whenever I wasn't using it.
Also, this is way early for aggressive PT - talk to your therapist - you can actually prolong healing by trying to do too much too soon.
My daughter had a similar complex fracture 3 1/2 years ago. Her recovery was long and complex, with many setbacks and her hand therapist had to force her to back off on PT several times to allow healing in the badly damaged radius - we all cheered when she could finally make a fist after 5 months. She suffers intermittent swelling to this day, wears a compression sleeve/glove during the day almost 50% of the time, usually ices in the evening and as needed other times, and actually sleeps with ice at times. (She does have good strength and use of her hand/wrist but will never get to 100%)
Healing from a fracture cannot be rushed, so please be patient with yourself.