Fractured Wrist

[Elendae]

Any idea on how long a fractured wrist takes to heal? A little, old lady hit my car last night, and besides all the normal whiplash and such, the hospital thinks my wrist is fractured.... unfortunately, its the left, which means no fencing.... so I was just curious how long I'm looking at here.

(if this is disjointed, I'm on painkillers, not awake, and typing with my off hand... if it makes sense... ignore that last bit)

[Inquartata]

Depends on how old you are, your diet, what sort of fracture...

[damion18d]

Depends on how old you are, your diet, what sort of fracture...

Exactly, they didn't cast or splint it or anything? Sort of odd usually, you are in a cast for about 6 weeks(as noted depending on certain factors). Do you recall what all films(X-ray views)were done on your wrist? It sounds like you didn't get a very good explination of your injuries. No follow up instructions?

[Louweasel]

I had a clean break to my left ankle from playing rugby, and I was back on the pitch after about 10 weeks. You obviously don't have to walk on your wrist though, so it may be useable sooner. But as Inq says, it depends on the type of fracture - if it was a compound or multiple fracture then naturally you will have a longer wait.

If it is any comfort, after a few months I would never have known I had damaged my ankle at all. You will soon be mended!

[JEC]

Inq is right. There are many factors at play during healing. One caution, if it hurts constantly when you're doing rehab, there might be more to it. Stressing the wrist trying to get into fencing too soon might result in a much longer recovery and more serious disabling injury.

Things to try:

- Footwork
- Footwork
- Footwork
- Perhaps, try to learn how to fence as a righty.

[Elendae]

Exactly, they didn't cast or splint it or anything? Sort of odd usually, you are in a cast for about 6 weeks(as noted depending on certain factors). Do you recall what all films(X-ray views)were done on your wrist? It sounds like you didn't get a very good explination of your injuries. No follow up instructions?

they did splint it, and said the radiolodist would re-read the x-rays today, that they'd call me to let me know. I'm also supposed to go to my doctor next week.
I wasn't overly impressed by this hospital. They left me sitting after the x-rays waiting forsomeone to wheel me back, then the guy who had been chatting with the techs the whole time came out about 10-15 minutes later to take me back... then they didn't remember what room... they had written the wrong number down... and the nurse who gave me instructions before I left told me he "didn't have time" to explain thouroghly...

As for the x-rays, they did 3. 1 with my palm down, 1 with my thumb turned slightly up (ow), and the last with my thum in a 12 o'clock position.

Sorry I didn't explain better earlier.

[JEC]

X-rays are typical. You might want to talk to a hand surgeon (plastic or orthopedic surgeon). Look in your plan, and ask your PCP to refer you to a hand doctor because this is your PRIMARY hand. Your PCP might not have realized that.

[MHS Fencer]

It depends on the severity of the fracture - if it was a hairline you can get away with taping it up really well and fencing without putting much stress (no flicking/avoid bell contact at all costs) after a week or two, but that's pushing it (the sports doctor had me do that, but i had a nearly invisible hairline fracture, so minimal severity, and i was getting it checked practically daily). It probably would have been better for me to wait a little more on it, though.

If you don't have any competitions where you have a team relying on you, make sure that you wait until it feels okay and the doctor gives you the go ahead - even if the doctor says it's alright and that you won't reinjure it, if it bothers you, don't fence until it stops. It's a pain to stop doing things because of injury, but it's best to be comfortable before you start doing things again.

Good luck with it.

[noodle]

it also depends on which bone.
if you fell backwards and caught yourself, expect to be in a splint for 2+ months. if you hit your hand on something, expect less.

drink milk and eat some vitamins to speed things up a bit.