Recovery strategies distal radius fracture and dislocation

[nandystam]

Hi all,

About four weeks ago I managed to to do this rather unfortunate injury, which has been operated on, with a plate and screws holding the radius bone in place. Everything is still a bit swollen, wrist and finger movement is minimal at this stage. I've been told I did a pretty good job on this

What I am hoping to find out is if there are any recommended recovery strategies, such as exercises, physio treatments (and how soon to start physio), supplements etc that can help maximise the recovery process, as well as minimise the time spent off the bike?

The hospital gave me some basic exercises involving wrist movement in various directions, but they only take five minutes to do and I do them several times a day already. I'm hoping there are other things I could or should be doing to help maximise the recovery. I guess I feel like I could be doing more..

[redsonic]

I would recommend seeing your own physio (if you have one) ASAP. If you are already doing exercises, starting one-on-one sessions with your physio means they can tailor the exercises to your recovery rate and individual strengths/weaknesses.
I really regret not seeing my own physio after spinal surgery until the recommended 6 weeks post op. By that stage, the generic exercises the hospital physio had me doing (enthusiastically, I might add!) had caused major over activation of the wrong muscle groups and has contributed to my chronic pain ever since.
Even if you are "only" doing mobility and range of motion exercises at the moment, it would be good to involve your physio early (or establish a relationship with a new one) so they can work out a future plan and get a baseline impression on you now. Good luck with the recovery, and I hope more knowledgeable BNA people than I can make some suggestions.

[moosterbounce]

I hear ya on doing a good job. Can't help with a wrist though - mine was shoulder. My surgeon described my shoulder as "smashed" which I don't believe is an accepted medical term, but after seeing my CT scan, I can see that it was accurate. You can see mine here .

Definitely see your own physio or, if you don't have a regular, find a good one (recommendations by friends is a good place to start). You'll probably find that your surgeon (I'm guessing you will see them again in a couple of weeks?) will give some advice to your physio in what you can and can't do at various stages. I was given some exercises by a physio after my surgery but emailed my own physio after a couple of weeks. She recommended sticking with what I was given until I saw the surgeon at 6 weeks which I did. I'd emailed her what I could though so when he give the OK to see my physio for more work, she was prepared (I'd booked an appointment with her in advance for the same day as the surgeon visit as I was keen to move). I have been seeing the same physio for about 5 years and she knows everything about me. If you don't have one, perhaps have a preliminary appointment now so they can get a idea of what you do sport and work wise and then can work on a plan.

I did a lot of reading in the 3 months I spent on the couch. I found a great site explaining the ins and outs of broken bones, their healing, and how to assist healing through diet - here . Obviously the plate helps keep things in place for healing, but every little bit helps. I also did a lot of reading on how NSAIDs can have a negative impact on fracture healing - the jury is still mostly out, but it doesn't hurt to know. As my fracture was pretty intense, I kept off them, and luckily didn't need them anyway as I think the pinning and plating did a lot to reduce the fracture pain. If I hurt, I'd rest and use ice.

You will be swollen for some time I'd suggest. After 5 months, I am still noticeably swollen and was told this isn't helped by a lack of movement. The swelling will also effect your fingers thinks to gravity. Use ice when needed.

So...I've gotta ask...how did it happen and are there X-rays/ct scans to show off?

[gabrielle260]

Plus 1 to everything Moost says. The bit I would add is don't just go to the first physio you get told about. Shop around - it's too important not to! Some physio's just don't know enough to help you properly. Talk to them about their experience with injuries of this type.
Oh, one other thing - don't think you should be doing more now - your body is busy repairing itself and that can't be cut short!
Good luck,
Andrew
BTW- whereabouts are you?

[nandystam]

Thanks for the replies.

Firstly - how it happened? It's all rather unexciting I'm afraid. I was taking a corner on the Dandenong Creek (Melbourne) bike path, the one for the Boronia Road underpass. For whatever reason, either of the rear brake locked up, or the rear tire just lost traction. In any case, the bike started skiing sideways, I couldn't control it and went flying sideways. My hand was the first thing to make contact with the concrete. I don't think I was going too fast, I've been around that corner many many times. It had been raining on and off through the day, but as far as I can remember the track seems pretty dry. That corner does have a lot of leaves and bark from time to time so perhaps that had something to do with it. In the scheme of things, it could've been worse. On another day, my head could've been the first thing to hit the ground (although I always wear a helmet).

I do have a physio that I have been seeing for many years, who used to be a club physio for one of the bigger western suburbs soccer clubs. I guess my main question was it if it would be too soon to start physio or not? The swelling has gone down to some degree but there's still a lot left over. I still keep my elevated, but I don't know if this is still necessary?

That article about diet was useful. I have read a lot of anecdotal evidence from people on the bodybuilding.com forums suggesting that Cissus has helped a lot with joint/tendon injuries. Although there is no real peer reviewed studies to confirm any of that? I do supplement with protein powder so I have kept that going. I'm not sure if glucosamine is useful either?

A friend of mine was t-boned in a motorcycle accident a few years ago, and his surgeon also suggested staying off NSAIDs as you cant impact fracture healing.

Unfortunately the physio has my X-rays at the moment. They are in digital format though

[Downhill2Fast]

I hear ya on doing a good job. Can't help with a wrist though - mine was shoulder. My surgeon described my shoulder as "smashed" which I don't believe is an accepted medical term, but after seeing my CT scan, I can see that it was accurate. You can see mine here .

I feel for you. I had three or four ortho surgeons at the Alfred all wanting to do my arm (and) elbow because I think they saw putting it back together as a challenge. Three plates and 32 screws later the hospital physio's description = "post ORIF for Mx of highly comminuted, intra-articular fracture dislocation distal humerus..". My x-rays looked kinda like soup where the bone was supposed to be, and I caught one look at the CT and never want to see that again.

@nandystam be sure to look for a specialist hand physio. As it happens I was in at hand therapy at the Alfred yesterday and they gave me a list of hand specialist physios to choose from. I'll probably go to one at St. Vincents but I recall there were a few in the South Eastern suburbs that you could try looking for.

[moosterbounce]

I hear ya on doing a good job. Can't help with a wrist though - mine was shoulder. My surgeon described my shoulder as "smashed" which I don't believe is an accepted medical term, but after seeing my CT scan, I can see that it was accurate. You can see mine here .

I feel for you. I had three or four ortho surgeons at the Alfred all wanting to do my arm (and) elbow because I think they saw putting it back together as a challenge. Three plates and 32 screws later the hospital physio's description = "post ORIF for Mx of highly comminuted, intra-articular fracture dislocation distal humerus..". My x-rays looked kinda like soup where the bone was supposed to be, and I caught one look at the CT and never want to see that again.

You win!! How long ago was this for you 2Fast? It all sounds a bit ugly. How is/was the healing? I don't think either of us will be competing in any arm wrestles any time soon!!

I must admit, I kinda like my ct now...I have fun making my shoulders do 360's in the ct viewing software

[Downhill2Fast]

You win!! How long ago was this for you 2Fast? It all sounds a bit ugly. How is/was the healing? I don't think either of us will be competing in any arm wrestles any time soon!!

I must admit, I kinda like my ct now...I have fun making my shoulders do 360's in the ct viewing software

I've got a 3mth ortho review this week, hoping to get the OK to do some lifting/resistance with it. Still sore and healing, at about 80-90% extension/flexion at the moment - how's your mobility?

I bought myself a decent indoor trainer but have been struggling to motivate myself to get on it, just so boring and yet really hard without any coasting time or wind to cool down. I decided I'm not really much of a winter rider anyway so I'm giving myself till spring before I get back on the road...

CT scan ... yeah, I'm OK with my X-rays but no.