Broken wrist

[melanie]

A month ago I took my 4 kidlets to our local roller skating rink. I had often taken my two eldest over the years but it was the first time for my 6yr old twins. We were having a great time, which I was pleasantly surprised about as I was a bit worried it would be a sounds fun in theory adventure but would end up being a rampage of tears and complaining but they were fabulous. So when my son needed to go to the toilet with 15 mins to go, I didn't take off his skates which I should have because I thought he could have a quick pee then enjoy the last 10 mins of the session.
Well it didn't quite work out that way, on our way to the loo he slipped as the flooring changed to slippery tiles and as I lunged forward to stop him from falling I lost balance on my rollerblades and fell backwards as the skates flew out in front of me. To protect myself from hitting my head I threw out my right hand to break the fall and broke my wrist.
I didn't just break it but shattered my radius. It was a compound fracture as part of the bone pierced through my wrist and also compacted as the radius was driven up into my hand. In doing so it had impacted on the blood vessels and nerves.
I went to hospital and had to have it manipulated straight away which involved two doctors pulling on my wrist and arm in different directions to stop the bone from cutting into vessels and nerves.
Then 2 days later I went into surgery to have a metal plate and 10 screws put in.
Nearly 4 weeks later and things are not great. I'm still in tremendous pain and I can not straighten my fingers. I'm in a cast but my hand is free from the knuckles down. It is expected that I should be able to straighten my fingers but they are curled and just will not straighten.
I had X-rays a couple of days ago because the pain was still so intense and the bone hasn't really healed which is unusual. Now I'm getting worried. I'm right handed and I can't do much at all. I can't drive, grip anything or write and I'm eating through packets of strong pain killers to get minimal relief.
It's just not recovering as it should and I'm worried as is my GP that I've suffered permanent nerve damage or that through some pretty poor care at the hospital (long story) I had untreated compartment syndrome which has permanently left the muscle in my forearm damaged which is in turn affecting my hand movement and impairing healing.
I'm just so over being in so much pain, I'm over being so docile and sleepy from the meds and I'm over relying on friends to run my kids all over town to get them to school and activities because I can't drive.
I know I'm in for some intensive physio and that's presuming the best case scenario which could quite possibly be the case, a nurse told me a couple of days ago that I've just suffered a really nasty break, had a metal plate put in to basically attach my forearm to my hand and that in time I will heal and with physio will get back mostly normal movement.
If you could spare a thought or prayer for my healing to regain normal function of my hand that would be appreciated

[PaulSacramento]

That really sucks Mel.
People don't realize how a minor injury can become a major life changing one at times and breaks are not minor.
Praying that you heal well and heal fast.

[1over137]

Mel,
Am sorry it does not heal as usual.
I hope and pray that the pain will soon be over and that the physio will help.

You must be tired when it takes so long and in so much pain.
The pain will not last forever.

[melanie]

Mel,
Am sorry it does not heal as usual.
I hope and pray that the pain will soon be over and that the physio will help.

You must be tired when it takes so long and in so much pain.
The pain will not last forever.

Thanks Hana

[melanie]

That really sucks Mel.
People don't realize how a minor injury can become a major life changing one at times and breaks are not minor.
Praying that you heal well and heal fast.

Thanks Paul,
Even though at the time I knew I had done a number on it, I thought it would be an easy fix with a bit of plaster. I wasn't aware how a break could have such a major impact on the future functionality of my hand.

[B. W.]

Sorry to hear that news Mel, pray that it gets resolved and heals up with no pain.

Have they checked the ganglion nerve area in the wrist?
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[RickD]

Oh, the horrors of socialized healthcare!!!*


Mel, I hope you get it fixed correctly.

Long story short...

About 33 years ago, I broke my left leg and ankle in a 3 wheeled ATV accident. At the original hospital, the doctor told my dad that they could try to set it, and see if that "works". After my father going off on the doctor, they took me by ambulance into one of the best hospitals in the country. They ended up putting a metal plate and 5 screws in me. The surgeon told my dad that he made the correct choice in bringing me in. If they just set it, I probably never would've walked right again.

I wish you well.






*Just kidding(not really).

[melanie]

Sorry to hear that news Mel, pray that it gets resolved and heals up with no pain.

Have they checked the ganglion nerve area in the wrist?
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Thanks B.W
No, I was told there may be nerve damage but not specifically the ganglion nerve, I'll look into it!

[melanie]

Oh, the horrors of socialized healthcare!!!*


Mel, I hope you get it fixed correctly.

Long story short...

About 33 years ago, I broke my left leg and ankle in a 3 wheeled ATV accident. At the original hospital, the doctor told my dad that they could try to set it, and see if that "works". After my father going off on the doctor, they took me by ambulance into one of the best hospitals in the country. They ended up putting a metal plate and 5 screws in me. The surgeon told my dad that he made the correct choice in bringing me in. If they just set it, I probably never would've walked right again.

I wish you well.






*Just kidding(not really).

Haha thanks Rick
I think lol
At least I now know after your story about your leg that you could be quite literally a few screws loose but then again now so could I

[melanie]

And....I can't help myself
The horrors of socialised healthcare.......
I went to hospital, had an X-ray and was treated and seen by 2 doctors then was transferred to another hospital by ambulance where I had more X-rays, stayed for 3 days and had surgery which involved an anesthesiologist and 2 surgeons and my bill at the end??......
Zero
I didn't even have to sell off my good arm or my kidney to save my injured arm.
Fancy that

[Philip]

Wow, horrors, Mel! I'll definitely pray for your healing, relief from pain. What a freak accident - hate you are going through all of this. Do be careful about painkiller addiction, though obviously it's currently unthinkable to do without them. Between you and BW, we're falling apart around here!

I'm hoping Rick won't tell you to just "suck it up - it can't be as bad as childbirth!"

[RickD]

Wow, horrors, Mel! I'll definitely pray for your healing, relief from pain. What a freak accident - hate you are going through all of this. Do be careful about painkiller addiction, though obviously it's currently unthinkable to do without them. Between you and BW, we're falling apart around here!

I'm hoping Rick won't tell you to just "suck it up - it can't be as bad as childbirth!"

Yes Mel, quit complaining! After pumping out babies, this pain is nothing more that's a finger prick. Sometimes I think women have a low pain tolerance.

[thatkidakayoungguy]

Mel,
Am sorry it does not heal as usual.
I hope and pray that the pain will soon be over and that the physio will help.

You must be tired when it takes so long and in so much pain.
The pain will not last forever.

sounds like my dad, in pain a lot

[1over137]

What happened to your dad, if I may ask?
We will pray for him.

[melanie]

My son Riley was playing in his afl preliminary final this afternoon. It was a tight match and with 5 mins to go he went hard in a contest for the ball and broke both his fibula and tibia. He will be having surgery tomorrow to put a rod in his leg and will need a full leg cast from his groin to his foot.
Was very hard to see him in so much pain but he's sedated in hospital now, awaiting surgery.
Thinking I should wrap the lot of us up in cotton wool and bubble wrap!