Wrist Physio - advice
 

Since my off earlier this year, my right wrist is functional but cannot withstand any weight on it as the pain through it is too much. Simply leaning against a wall hurts too much. It basically feels as if its permanently sprained. Rotation isnt brilliant but its pretty good in the circumstances.

I was signed off Physio a couple of weeks ago but ive been to the trainer at the gym today and he reckons ive been signed off too early. Trouble is, I didnt think that the physio was doing anything that I wasnt already doing myself. In other words, pretty useless.

I need advice from others who have had serious wrist fractures and how they have adapted/coped or sought additional treatment for it. It is beginning to concern me as I need to have a strong and painless wrist for work. Is there any massage treatment for it, or is there something im missing out on?

Re: Wrist Physio - advice
 

Ive broken both scaphoids in the past and i found those hand squeezey things worked well for me.

I suppose all injuries are different though....

Re: Wrist Physio - advice
 

i broke my scaphoid in a previous accident
like you said hurt to do anything, put any weight on it.
Ive been told they can take stupid amounts of time to heal, and mine still hurts from time to time ....5 months on.

So 1st - consult a doctor
then see a chyropractor or bone specilist and physios deal more with muscles and movement of joints.

Re: Wrist Physio - advice
 

The 'hand squeezy things' are def useful as is rotation excersises (Edit Oh aye and compression excersises. [Pushing against something]). When I broke my wrist in four pieces they could not set it exactly right and it still looks a bit wonky (that word is in my hospital notes :p). They said that it would take time and I might not get full strength back.

My simple first test (and it was all I was concerned about)was to see if I could pull the clutch lever in. ;) Anything after that was a bonus in my opinion. After that the annual test was to see if I could get out a swimming pool without using the steps. I certainly couldn't at the first attempt. The next year it was easier and this year easier still.

Takes time that's all. You have to be patient.

Re: Wrist Physio - advice
 

After I knackered my wrist it was in a cast so long that the muscles in that arm wasted away. I was in a bit of viscious circle of no muscle, so couldn't do any weights etc. to build it back up. Only thing I found that helped was time; gradually I was able to use the arm for more and more and the strength came back. It was almost 2 years before I could do pull ups on it and about 3 years before it was back to full strength. I had aches in it for about 5 years afterwards in cold weather, but this seems to of gone away. Doc warned that the ache would probably come back in old age.

Re: Wrist Physio - advice
 

Yeah I got warned that as well. :(

Re: Wrist Physio - advice
 

Im 7 weeks after breaking my elbow & little finger, wrist still hurts a lot and gets tired really easily. I can ride the bike, but theres not a lot of strength in my arm yet. Certainly coudnt do pullups!
Steve

Re: Wrist Physio - advice
 

Im already in old age, so no worries there!
Steve

Re: Wrist Physio - advice
 

How about a Powerball thingy? Maybe that could help, I don't know. I know they're good for forearm and hand strength and could help the rotation movements too.

The arthritis achy thing is a nightmare :( I managed to break a chunk of bone off on the outside of my thumb along with a tendon back in july 2007 and ended up having an op and 8 weeks in plaster. The physio said he couldn't do much more than just get a bit of movement in it so pretty much gave up on it. My biggest problem has been the clutch as my hands are tiny and I have nowhere near full mobility in my thumb now so we've modified the bike with a gadget that makes the clutch lighter and fitted a CRG lever so I can ride a bit. It's not perfect but it's all I can do apart from giving up biking completely which isn't gonna happen. It aches like crazy the minute it gets cold now :(

Re: Wrist Physio - advice
 

I damaged the ligaments in my wrist about 5 years ago, I got signed off by the Physio about 6 months later. I still get pain in the wrist and I'm sure I always will.
I think it's something that you learn to live with and you adapt and use the damaged joint differently. Wish I could be more optimistic!