Connect
← Return to Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) Distal Radius Recovery
Discussion
Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) Distal Radius Recovery
Bones, Joints & Muscles | Last Active: 8 hours ago | Replies (25)Comment receiving replies
Greetings! I am 2.5 weeks post surgery for a distal radius fracture. I was started on OT 1 week post surgery and it has been extremely painful and my progress is slow. I was told to do the exercises 3-4x/day but when I do this I get intensified pain for up to 16 hours. The PA who works with my doctor is not concerned about this and advises that I keep doing the exercises 3x/day. This feels like boot camp in that neither the OT staff nor the PA seem to want to adjust the intensity or frequency of exercises based on my pain level. Is this normal or is my situation a one-off?
I was told I would be healed enough to be able to type within 2 weeks of the surgery and I just became able to touch each finger to my thumb a few days ago. I have significant pain in the palm of my hand near my thumb, around the site of the incision, around my wrist, and along a bone on the outside of my wrist. I can't bed both knuckles on my thumb at the same time. And I can only bend my hand back from the straight up position about a half inch. I'd like to know how my progress compares to others that have had the same surgery.
Replies to "Greetings! I am 2.5 weeks post surgery for a distal radius fracture. I was started on..."
Hello,
If you can touch all your finger tips at 2.5 weeks, then you're doing good. I took me longer.
I had same surgery exactly 8 weeks ago, and still have stiff fingers. I cannot move my wrist to supination, but continue to work with OT twice a week. I am able to type normal, and use my hand somewhat considering I cannot do supination still after 8 weeks. Doc took xray this week and all is healing like it should. No pain really except when I have to work it at OT. I am concerned that I still cannot do supination.
Update:
I got a 2nd opinion and this surgeon only does surgery on hand/wrist/elbow and is rated as a top doctor locally.
He knew something was wrong right away and set me up for an ultrasound the day of the appointment. They determined that I have a compressed median nerve (which has caused acute, severe carpal tunnel symptoms). This is apparently common in fractures that result from forceful falls.
He said I would not benefit from OT until this is resolved. I tried a 5-day trial of steroid pills, but this did not work. I could have tried a steroid injection, but positive outcomes from injections don't tend to hold over time, so I am going to have carpal tunnel release surgery which releases the compressed median nerve.
I am so glad I did not follow the advice given to me by the PA who worked with my surgeon and instead sought out a 2nd opinion. I would recommend this to anyone who is concerned about their recovery and/or care plan.
Connect
geronimo and coloradoed,
at some point you'll want reimaging of the repair.
Sometimes these surgeries don't proceed as planned.
Hardware can migrate.
If you aren't on Forteo, you might ask for script. It can greatly hasten healing.
Patience isn't always a virtue when you're the patient.