Stiff fingers and wrist after distal radius surgery

Sue, there is a plastic screw inserted to hold the bone parts together. What troubles me is that he did not suggest a splint and then later on, he got upset that I was not wearing one, and he wanted me to get a splint 2 months after the surgery. My husband said he thought that was too late to get one. What do you think? The pain still requires I take a pain pill once a day and I just try to be distracted other than that one pill. If three months is not too long, I can endure it, but I just don't know if it is normal. Should I just go ahead and get one of those plastic "finger cots" (they used to call them) at this late date? Thank you for helping us patients.

Hi Mary - "foreign matter" (the plastic screw) in your hand is probably part of the pain cause - has the doctor said whether it can be removed after healing?
As for the splint issue - I always defer to the hand therapist - not the doctor, Connect, my spouse, or anyone else. As the expert who picks up where the doctor is done, they can best tell you whether a splint will help now. And I would definitely have one custom made if recommended. In my experience, plastic finger cots are usually not adequate.
Do you have a hand therapist you can consult with, even by telephone?
Sue

No, he does not plan to remove it... He said I don't need physical therapy either. My PCP is sending me to another hand surgeon for a second opinion, and I'll bring up the suggestions you wrote. But it will take another week or two for me to get an appointment. I really appreciate your help; no one whom I have discussed this with knows what to follow up with, but the next doctor might be more inclined toward one of your suggestions. Thank you again!

Sorry to disagree with your hand surgeon, but a hand therapist or a physical therapist is almost always the answer to difficulties after orthopedic surgery.

I repeat myself, but a surgeon sees "success" if the limb is fixed, the wound heals, the diseased organ is gone, and you don't have an infection.

A therapist or a physiatrist sees success when you can "live your best life" after the surgery. Fortunately, both my ortho and hand surgeons agree with this!
Sue

Sue, did you have a similar surgery? You seem to be very knowledgeable. We are going to be gone for a few days so if you answer, I may not see it promptly. Thank you for being our mentor.

It's been four months since I broke my wrist and had surgery and had a plate put in I have been in therapy for 3 months and still can hardly move my fingers they are very tight and still swollen I am so discouraged

Have you been seeing a hand therapist who specializes in treating traumatic injuries? This is a really important distinction - Hand Therapy is a highly specialized subset of Occupational Therapy, and these professionals know how to help in your recovery. BUT...it can be a long road. My daughter is over 2 years out from a traumatic wrist injury, and is still receiving bi-weekly therapy.
Are you working with a hand terapist?
Sue

I am just going for regular therapy thats all my Dr ordered