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Right Compound Distal radial and ulnar styloid fracture
I fell on an outstretched right hand it folded up like an accordion. I had a compound fracture had to have emergency room cast November 16! then transported to the hospital surgery on November 17.. I have been attending PT but my fingers are so stiff and very very painful. Also, I feel a lot of electricity on the pinky side of my hand all the way up past my wrist. Any advice on how long this will last or recovery time and I am 61 years old not sure if that plays apart, but I’ve always had a weak wrist even as a little girl.
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I would see a neurologist. Nerve damage possibly due to accident. There are meds to help with nerve pain. Also splints might help but that is PT.
Traumatic wrist fractures can be very difficult fractures to heal from, it can take a long time for everything to return to normal, and sometimes you can be left with a few deficits in spite of your best efforts. At less than 3 months post surgery, you are in very early days - my hand therapist told me it takes a minimum of 6-8 months. My daughter had a traumatic wrist fracture followed by another 7 months later - it took her almost 3 years to reach 90% of her previous use/strength, and she still gets swelling with overuse.
From the description of "electricity" I would think it is your nerves healing from the trauma - that is a very slow process, and the sensation and location can change from day-to-day.
The stiffness is also part of the healing process, often accompanied by swelling and/or pain. It would be good to address this with your PT - there are many strategies they can teach you to help ease the pain -it is best to work with them to find what helps you the most. After wrist surgery (not a fracture) I found a hot paraffin bath was best before my exercises to get the blood flowing. I also relied heavily on NSAIDs to ease the pain, but nowadays I can only use Tylenol. Also massage was very helpful in loosening things.
Are you still seeing a hand therapist?
It is a nasty fracture at a location you use a great deal. I believe you’re asking for too much too soon. Partially due to your age and precondition before the injury it will take time and therapy to heal. Lots of wrist bones and nerves pass through that area for your hand. Please give yourself more healing time?
Thank you. I will try!
Yes, I still have therapy. i’ve tried paraffin. Also she has a machine that she puts my hand in with warm It seems maybe wood chips. I’m not sure what it is, but it helps tremendously with mobility with me moving my right wrist. That’s the best. I did purchase a 10 units and I’ve been using that as well and that seems to ease some of the pain just thought after 2 1/2 months I would be further along than this. I will continue therapy and hope all this clears up for most of it. My doctor was absolutely wonderful and I thank him.
Dear Mr. JenaskyPA,
I respect your credentials and sound science based replies.
Is it SOP for board certified
Anesthesiologist to be on the team for scaphoid wrist surgery if patient is older ?
Can patient request surgery be performed in accredited hospital Operating room?
Thank you in advance for your response.
You may request this but it’s doubtful your insurance will approve it. OP surgery centers were created to reduce costs for procedures. In a hospital you’ll incur costs for the OR suite, recovery room, etc that are more expensive and from a clinical perspective unnecessary.
OP surgery centers have less overhead costs, less personnel requirements.
If you have specific medical needs that might mitigate going to an op center you may have a chance. Are you concerned about going to an OP location? The surgery is pretty straightforward!
. Will speak to MD about it. Thank you for your kind response.
I had a similar sounding break and surgery 18 months ago. The recovery is very slow and I wondered as you do why it still hurt so much. My surgeon is said to be the best hand surgeon around but I found his advice disappointing and minimal in follow up visits. My hand therapist explained that hands and wrists have many more nerves than other parts of us so they register pain unlike other surgeries/breaks. Do all the things you learn to feel better and summon your patience. Wishing you comfort.
thank you I had an appointment today with my doctor and it looks like I’m going to have to have surgery again. He’s waiting until my bones completely heal then he’s go in and try to get more spacing between my bones in my wrist so my wrist can move and also work on the nerve on the pinky side not looking forward to another surgery but not looking forward to staying this way either so Surgery it is! good luck to you and I hope you get better soon. I feel your pain. It’s hard to sleep with this kind of injury thank you for telling your experience.