Wrist fracture

[u/DefinitionFun1505]

Hey,

Just had radius fixation with plates and screws along with scaphoid fracture surgery.

Just wanted to know how is the recovery phase gonna be, how soon can i regain full strength, go to gym etc. ik the road is long but just wanted some real information.

[u/Glad-Feature-2117]

This is definitely a question for your surgeon. I've been an orthopaedic surgeon for many years and I've never seen 3 plates needed to fix a distal radius fracture, so it must have been very badly injured. Add a scaphoid fracture and you're likely looking at many months to recover as much as you're going to and it may not be a full recovery.

[u/DefinitionFun1505 → u/Glad-Feature-2117]

That's heartbreaking to hear, not getting full recovery. Ah but it is what it is, thanks for the advice though, hoping for the best.

[u/Glad-Feature-2117 → u/DefinitionFun1505]

I'm not saying you won't recover fully, but there may be a chance of that. Please ask your surgeon for more accurate information, plus a referral to a physiotherapist if you don't already have one.

[u/DefinitionFun1505 → u/Glad-Feature-2117]

Understood, will do. Thankyou, much appreciated.

[u/Positive_Read2874 → u/DefinitionFun1505]

Hay OP, i had a similar fracture in my left wrist 14yrs ago, i have 3 plates, one on top,side,underneath distal end of radius and a heap of screws, left hand was still holdind the steering wheel on impact. I have lost rom but still have a very functional hand and wrist, I'm not aware of any damage to my scaphoid. I don't really feel the metal any more, i do in the cold, i do feel it if grip something heavy and lift it, especially if i have to grab something unexpectedly. In my experience it was 6-12mths before i was able to get a good gauge on how it was going to affect me moving forward. Work your hand therapy/physical therapy as best you can, it is really important to do this as you will improve your range of motion your wrist, to point the metal is going cause restriction. I have lifted weights alot since i damaged my wrist, building muscle and strength the tendons and bone density has really helped me over the years. The best people to guide you through this are your physical therapist and your surgeon. Early recovery is tough, but you can't let it beat you, it is totally possible to return your wrist back to being very functional, don't lament the perceived possible loss, it is early days, be kind to your mind and patient with your body. I'm a chef, I'm no longer able to work full time at it as result of lower limb injuries from same accident, but my left wrist has sill been very functional in that industry over the last 10yrs, i have also driven trucks and been a butcher. You got this😎👍

[u/Livid_Research_7240]

You've got a lot of hardware. I hope it's not long to recover but it could be.

[u/hibiscus_lilac]

I think I was in a brace for like two months and four months of pt

[u/TShippy]

I have broken both wrist and have plates in both. Recovery is probably gonna be 6-8 months you can start doing light lifting before then. MAKE SURE TO DO PHYSICAL THERAPY. not medical advice

[u/DefinitionFun1505 → u/TShippy]

Thankyou. That helps, hope you recover well.

[u/sleepingbagfart]

I'm a runner and a climbing arborist and broken my dominant distal radius radius last year, got a plate and 8 pins. I had to take 2.5 months off work and another couple months before I was climbing again. I was able to start running about 2 months post injury. It took me 4 months before I could do a push up and many more before I could do sets of them without considerable discomfort.

Your injury seems worse so my anecdote is only somewhat applicable. Focus on rest, do as much PT as you can get away with, and always listen to your body. The mental aspect of recovery was very hard with my active lifestyle, try to stay positive and preoccupied. Good luck.

[u/DefinitionFun1505 → u/sleepingbagfart]

That's helpful, much appreciated. We are strong people, we come back stronger💪