Training after a broken wrist

[oregonite]

HI,

7 weeks ago I took a fall and suffered a displaced fracture of my radius and ulna; right hand. Wrist area was solidly s-shaped when viewed from the side. ER doc managed to reduce the fracture essentially perfectly and surgery was not necessary. In a splint for a few more weeks and am working on mobility; started occupational therapy last week. My one allowed pull on the dynamometer was complete trash (35 lbs). Left hand still maxed their device (only went to 200 lbs).

Any advice for building back up? I'm doing everything allowed/encouraged so far: long stretches, heat, scraping, super easy putty, ice... Conference calls are great for therapy. Still on a 5-10 lb weight restriction, but anvil carrying a loading pin with 2.5 lbs and hub lifting with 2.5 pounds feels fine. Think I can try my Sorinex roller handle (only) in another week.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

--Rob

[John Knowlton]

Man that sucks, just take it slow and never give up.

[Fist of Fury]

30 lbs on a dynamo is like a 7 year old girl who tested my dynamo once. So with that in mind I think you should stick to your doctors recommendation for rehab at this point.

[Kaesar83]

Take this with a (massive) pinch of salt but I'd be considering rice/sand bucket rehab. However, I've never broken my wrist so really cannot say, plus I'd only consider it if it doesn't go against what your Doctor has told you.

[Climber028]

Same progression as all strength goals, just have to throw out your ego and go extraordinarily slowly. Place a larger emphasis on using your full range of motion under light loads that very gradually increase. I wouldn't do any crush work at all, and would focus on the 6 wrist directions: flexion, extension, pronation, supination, ulnar and radial deviation. Do these light and often and recovery will go nice and smooth. 

[Gripperer]

On 7/17/2022 at 5:45 PM, Fist of Fury said:

30 lbs on a dynamo is like a 7 year old girl who tested my dynamo once. So with that in mind I think you should stick to your doctors recommendation for rehab at this point.

Just to hammer home the point!! 

[Gripperer]

Broke the hand rather than wrist, so not got any specific advice, just encouragement to say that the wrist will probably end up really strong again.

A hand break was what got me into grip in the first place.

Before I broke it, my dynamometer estimate is 35kg, maybe even 30kg in the weak hand. Awful for a grown man, and I attribute the break to this weakness. 

I didn't know what I was doing when I starting to rehab and strengthen it. I used grippers and some self-taught movements, and built my knowledge gradually. 

I think you'll recover more quickly using your knowledge. Know that for the bone to reach its final form could be about two years, although it will be plenty strong before then. 

Bit of a slow road, but still, it's a new project. Kind of fun in a weird way! 

Edited July 19, 2022 by Gripperer

[Blacksmith513]

Your best bet is to listen to your doctors and your body. Between the two you’ll know when and what you can handle again.  Blood flow and mobility are probably most important thing for you right now.