Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) Distal Radius Recovery

Wow Geronimo, you are very courageous and persistent! Good for you and thanks for sharing your experience!

I've had both knees and a hip replaced, shoulder is next in August. Diligence is required both pre and post op. It's very unfortunate to have to go through not one but two surgical mistakes. Your perseverance and spirit carries you. You're a great example for all!

Joe

Thank you so much! It has really been an ordeal and I have had so many professionals invalidate my experience along the way - both medical and OT folks. It feels wonderful to now have a bright and competent doctor who is overseeing my care, to have undergone surgery with him that reduced my pain 95%, and to have OTs who trust and support me. This is the kind of care everyone deserves:) I still have a few issues that are in the process of getting resolved and trust that my current surgeon will ensure a good outcome.

I hope that you are doing well since your knee and hip replacements and that you have a wonderful outcome with your shoulder surgery.

Thanks for your kind words Geronimo. It is what everyone dreads - having an incompetent or poorly skilled surgeon. I'm glad you found someone you like and trust.

We moved to WI from CA in 2018 and I didn't know any Drs. so my search criteria for ortho surgeons (any surgeon really) was a person in their mid 30s to mid 40s with a solid pedigree from a medical college and/or residency. My knee/hip guy is in his late 30s and did his residency at Cleveland Clinic, a well known research and care facility. My shoulder guy is in the right age range, and did his residency at the University of WI Medical College, where they only accept 6 ortho residents each year.

So that worked out fine. Even so, every surgery is different and nothing is guaranteed. As patients, we can work as hard as possible to stay in shape and be healthy - and then be willing to do all the things suggested for rehab.

Joe

I'm three weeks almost out of wrist ORIF with lots of damage to surrounding bones. I'm trying hard not to get discouraged. My sleep is so interrupted it's a wonder I'm not a zombie. I wear an Apple watch that keeps track of sleep stages. I am awake an average of 18 times a night due to discomfort. I had to stop the pain meds because of side effect (headaches and constipation) and can't take NSAIDs, so I am uncomfortable 24/7. This is way worse than I expected, and reading the posts here makes me feel like Sisyphus. Someone suggested red light therapy so I started that today, and hope it will be as helpful as it was when I broke my hip last year. I was not sent to PT but am doing it on my own and have pretty fair use of motion -- can make a fist and other things, but my thumb is the problem. Really hurts to use it, so I don't. Overall my continual pain is around a 5-6 and my attitude hovers around 4.

@geedub Ouch! My daughter went through this four years ago after smashing her wrist and the tip of her ulna in a fall.
Recovery is Looong... and often painful. She was also unable to use opioids and most NSAIDS, so ICE, Ice, ice was he constant companion - for many months.
At three weeks, the incisions have barely begun to heal, and certainly not the bones themselves.

Here are some things that helped her - ice, elevation (keeping arm/wrist above heart level at all times) and making sure the wraps and bandages were not too tight (we had to work with her to adjust them many times.)

At night, she slept with her arm cradled in soft pillows and covered in ice packs. She also used red light therapy ( a prescribed unit to make sure it is the correct wave length) and it helped a little.

Not trying to be "Debbie Downer" here, but it was nearly 3 months before she was out of pain most of the time. She used guided meditation and self-hypnosis to help her relax.

Have you talked to the surgeon about any other possible strategies? Maybe a referral to a pain management clinic to help you through this tough time?

@sueinmn thanks for your suggestions! I appreciate the thoughts! Did she take the cast off for the icing process? How frequently did she use the red light?
Thanks again.

@geedub She didn't take the cast off for icing - she used large gel ice packs meant for the back or hip, wrapping them around the cast inside her splint.At one point she was cycling through as many as eight of them.
As for the infrared, as I recall it was twice a day.
She is an experienced ER and surgical RN so she was pretty good at getting what she needed from the doc (on staff in her hospital) and the OT.

@geedub I am so sorry . Why didn’t the surgeon order O.T. ? I had an ORIf last year and that was a big help. I am not familiar with red light therapy. I would definitely consult the doctor about pain management. Using ice frequently is a good idea. Use gentle motion (guiding with your other hand)to move your thumb. If you are not moving it , it will freeze . I had a hip replacement a couple of years ago and the postoperative pain was much worse for the wrist. Contact the doctor so you don’t have to remain in pain.

@walk4life thanks for the thoughts!! I have booked a session of OT/PT on my own and will get some professional guidance on actions I can take to be sure I don’t lose mobility. Appreciate your suggestions.

I had wrist distal radius fracture surgery with voltar plating going on 12 weeks ago and still cannot supinate (turn palm up) or bend hand back. I have been in rigorous occupational therapy for the past two months (diligent with home exercises) and have made very good progress. I will be seeking a second opinion since supination is taking a long time to return. Also, my wrist and fingers are extremely stiff/tight and I still cannot easily touch my pinky with my thumb. Anyone had a similar experience and was able to resolve.