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: 7 hours ago | Replies (25)Comment receiving replies
Update (in case you didn't see this already):
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.
Replies to "Update (in case you didn't see this already): I got a 2nd opinion and this surgeon..."
Connect
I am so glad you are on your way to a solution. The same happened to my daughter after a fall and complex open fracture. She is almost 4 years out from the initial injury, and 3 from a second fracture of the same wrist and hardware, and has 85-90% function in her hand, probably the best it will get, but not enough to return to OR skilled nursing, so she is back in school for her MSN so she can teach.
Caution - both of us have learned that you almost never get to be 100% pain-free after a traumatic injury - my healed places really hate barometric changes and cold, even after many years. But it is background pain, not the severe pain you have been having.