Wrist fracture (pain, infect, surgery, swelling)

[cjragu]

I fractured my right wrist -radius-on27th Sep and got it fixed by surgery on 29th Sep with a titanium plate and 7 screws. No infection, no other problem and hence the cripband cast was removed after 4 weeks. I have mild swelling on the wrist. I developed shoulder pain . My fingers are not free. I am able to close the fist. I am on PT .4 sittings over. I have consistent tingling effect on the palm. My shoulder is getting alright. My wrist also slowly recovering. But the tingling effect is very sensitive. PT says it will go slowly. Is there any other way to get rid off this faster?

[suzy_q2010]

Originally Posted by cjragu

I fractured my right wrist -radius-on27th Sep and got it fixed by surgery on 29th Sep with a titanium plate and 7 screws. No infection, no other problem and hence the cripband cast was removed after 4 weeks. I have mild swelling on the wrist. I developed shoulder pain . My fingers are not free. I am able to close the fist. I am on PT .4 sittings over. I have consistent tingling effect on the palm. My shoulder is getting alright. My wrist also slowly recovering. But the tingling effect is very sensitive. PT says it will go slowly. Is there any other way to get rid off this faster?

Any time you have surgery some nerves get cut. The sensitivity and tingling are common.

My wrist fracture several years ago was pretty bad. I was compulsive about the PT, and I have normal function now. The stiff fingers take a while to regain flexibility. I have some sensitivity over the small plate in the distal radius, but that's about it. I do not know that there is anything you can do to make it heal any faster. Just stick with the PT!

I had the shoulder pain, too. When you land on the wrist, the shoulder takes a lick, too. You may not notice it at first because the wrist hurts so much.

[bluedevilz]

Give it time

It takes up to a year to recover from a wrist fracture with or without surgery

[Zeurich]

Auch give some time. It takes time to recover be patient... take care

[CROB86]

I am a physical therapist assistant, and there are no short cuts to your body healing. Suzieq2010 is absolutely right. Nerves get cut during surgery and what you are experiencing is totally normal, however, your shoulder hurting means two things. 1) you are compensating for lack of motion in your hand by overusing your shoulder and moving in ways you do not normally, and 2) your nerve pain perhaps coming from your neck. Has your PT evaluated your neck? Your nerve roots begin there and run down the arm, sometimes some neck exercises can help if that is where it originates.

It takes time. Nerves regenerate at 1mm a month. There is no speeding that up.

If you are experiencing hypersensitivity, you need a desensitization program. Basically, it may seem counter-intuitive, but you need to touch that area as much as possible. Stick your hand in rice, beans, rub with cotton balls, anything you can do to bring stimulus to the area will help with sensitivity. This is only for sensitivity, not tingling/numbness. I am sure your PT would have recommended this if she thought this would help.

The nerves often come back from surgery but it takes time and patience. I am sure it is so frustrating for you, but hang in there and trust your PT