Move my arm or rest it (fractured)

[Wasp]

Hey guys,

I came off one of the buckets last sunday (as in almost 2 weeks ago) and landed on my left palm resulting is a proximal fracture in my radius (compression head fracture?)

I've been given conflicting advice from the docs - some say to move it or I wont get full mobility back, others say not to move it or i wont get full mobility back

wtf am i sposed to do?!

if you are a doc or have personal experience please state this and let me know what you did

cheers,
Wasp

[canarlee]

get a third opinion!

go see a physiotherapist!

[Warr]

Talk to a trusted physio person. Tis their job to know. Dont just accept it from a doctor

[canarlee]

and why a poll?

most on here will not have a clue what they are talking about (myself included hence suggesting asking a physio)!

[bobsmith]

I don't know, aren't you supposed to let it heal first then exercise it to get muscle movement back after the fracture has healed? have you seen a specialist about your fracture? (i.e. an Orthopedic specialist.)

[canarlee]

I don't know, aren't you supposed to let it heal first then exercise it to get muscle movement back after the fracture has healed? have you seen a specialist about your fracture? (i.e. an Orthopedic specialist.)

all depends, i have had a broken femur and it was being excersised and manipulated before i even had the pins and plates etc in to stop the muscle "sticking to the bone". then i broke a shoulder blade and had it strapped so firmly in place and was told to "under any circumstances do not let it move".


different problem different remedy, that is why he should, as i said in my 1st reply, speak to a physio and take ALL the records with him!

who ever has voted on the poll, i hope you are qualified to be giving that advice!

[James Deuce]

What Bob said, go see an Orthopod. I've never had a good result from mobilising too early after a fracture.

If you're getting advice from a GP about a fracture - don't. They are only any good for dishing out medical certificates and anti-depressants.

Go to Boulcott and ask to speak to the Consulting Orthopedic surgeon there. (Used to be Brett Krause - not sure if he is there anymore as I haven't broken anything for ages.)

Just for the record, physio's are dangerous quacks.

As canarlee said - why the poll? We're motorcyclists. That makes us stupid by definition. Motorcycles can't stand up by themselves and when it rains you get wet.

[babyB]

for my useless 2 cents
drink heaps of milk & act like a child, couse they dont do wot Doc's tell them & come out ok:dodge:

agrees with bob & jim...... go talk to some1 & dont muck around
:hug:@ya

[canarlee]

As canarlee said - why the poll? We're motorcyclists. That makes us stupid by definition.




i never said that, stop putting words into my mouth. what i pointed out was, we are NOT QUALIFIED to give medical advice? ok one or two on here maybe qualified but the majority are NOT! so why the poll?

[LilSel]

Seek medical advice (like what it says on the back of painkillers)

It may or may not cause more damage by moving it or not moving it... dont take the risk, see your specialist (if you have one) or physio (will be covered by ACC anyways)

[Coaster]

If you're getting advice from a GP about a fracture - don't. They are only any good for dishing out medical certificates and anti-depressants.

GP's may be good at dishing out medical certificates BUT not anti-depressants!!!! :doctor: - they give them out without any explanations of what the side effects are or what the risks are and then just leave people on 20mg for years and wonder why they are still depressed 3-4 years later. That dose is about the same as giving someone 1/2 Panadol for a Migraine!!

Then they end up in our service (that would be the Mental Health Service)

ANYWAY don't let me get started about what I think of psychiatrists!:lol:

Go to a physiotherapist and get a second opinion from a qualified orthopod

[NighthawkNZ]

I've been given conflicting advice from the docs - some say to move it or I wont get full mobility back, others say not to move it or i wont get full mobility back

half move it.... :D

go to another doc and specialist for another opinion... if it not in a cast so it can't be moved, you will natrual slowly move it anyway when you need to...

[Virago]

and why a poll...



...As canarlee said - why the poll...


i never said that, stop putting words into my mouth...

Yes you did - pull your head in.

[robertydog]

I had multiple fractures and was told to rest (not that i could much anyway) At the six week mark it was all go. Physio, Exercise. Go Go Go

[Keystone19]

FWIW...

Give it 2 weeks to get a good start on mending then start mobilising it. Do not take ibuprofen as this will delay healing, see a physio earlier rather than later to assist with mobilisation and give you appropriate exercises, get a referral from your GP to see an orthopaedic consultant asap and ring around until you can get the earliest possible appointment. If the advice you are recieving is from two different specialists go and see a third one.

Supplements such as glucosamine may assist with joint repair.

This is not intended to be formal advice, just what I would do.

Good luck.

[Toaster]

Get a second opinion from a professional physio. I know a very good one in Auckland if you are in this area.... can't tell by the dribble typed in your location description.

[Jorja]

My 8 year old has arthritis. Resently he fractured a growth plate at the base of his thumb. With his condition he HAS to keep moving. But even in his case the answer was rest. If you don't, the bones take longer to re knit. Once the 6 weeks was over, he had lost all use of his wrist and the pain was worse than when he had broken it, but after a week of gentle exercises the movement began to return. I would rest it till it has heeled then work on getting the movement. If you use it too soon all you do is slow down the healing.

[justsomeguy]

Learn to wank with ya right hand you idjit.

[FROSTY]

In my recent experience my wrist has been badly smashed and plates fitted.
FIRST--I'd be going and seeing a decent orthapedic surgeon --Its the rest of your life you are dealing with
My advice from my own experience is to ensure the bones have begun to heal then begin working on restoring MOBILITY not strenth.
there are specific exercises you can do that are going to get the muscles and tendons working put arent going to stress the partially healed bones.
Gimme a yeodle -I still have the exersises

[justsomeguy]

Then begin working on restoring MOBILITY not strenth.
there are specific exercises you can do that are going to get the muscles and tendons working put arent going to stress the partially healed bones.
Gimme a yeodle -I still have the exersises


Could you please give us some examples?

Thanks

[Keystone19]

Different fractures will heal in different ways. Ever heard of Samoan massage? Actually works on some fractures - painful I believe but it works. The point I am making is that every fracture is different and will heal differently. You need to get the best advice for your particular fracture from an expert.

The internet is also your friend and there is no reason why you can't google your injury, search different opinions and take them with you to your specialist to discuss them.

[Skunk]

It's only a crack isn't it? Keep using the muscles but don't 'work' the arm.

I rested mine (it was broken into four bits -there's x-rays somewhere on here) and it was nine months before the rod could be removed.

Drink milk or calcium tablets too. Fuck knows if it helps but it won't hurt.