How to Manage Stiffness in Your Wrist After an Injury? Do you need x-ray or MRI to know the wrist fracture.
I fell with arm extended out at full force, landing on plastic lid which cracked. The x rays showed no fracture of the wrist and orthopaedics contended not fractured. The occupational therapist who’s specialty is hands insisted that the area where it is located did not improve after three weeks of therapy. She felt it was broken. She recommended I go to get a second opinion with another orthopedic surgeon. Also, Instead of x-ray for the wrist fracture, go for MRI scan .
I went to another and he said same as first. They both said I just needed to have my wrist fused. I said if fusing was the only answer, why couldn’t I have it casted just in case the scaphoid fracture just didn’t show. Was refused. I now have little rotation up or down and some rotation to right side of right wrist and none on left side without pain in lump area.
My wrists have arthritis (osteo) but the right hand wrist that I fell on was no different than the left wrist as far as little pain and rotation without pain. Now the right wrist has a lump that stayed big and tender over scaphoid area and wrist remains sore almost two years after the fall.
What input can you give me? If there is/was fracture in wrist, is it too late to take care of it? The doctor’s did not take an MRI of wrist. Would it be helpful to have one now?
When I first went to hand specialist about 6 years ago, I had little rotation in either. With exercises, I regained rotation in both and no pain unless jammed hand.
Answer:
Since your fracture happened nearly 2 years ago, there is unfortunately nothing you can do about the fracture now as it would have fused together in the position that it was allowed to fuse in. You can still have an MRI of the wrist, instead of x-ray, and that can probably help to show how the wrist has been fused and also whether there is scar tissue around the area which is also limiting your movement, but apart from that, there is nothing much you can do about the fracture itself.
However in regards to your limitation of movement, it is still important you are performing active wrist movements as much as possible to try to regain flexion/extension/rotation of your wrist. Stretching is also helpful (sustained holds in maximal position) to try to stretch out your stiff tissues and see if you can regain further movement.
Are you seeing a physiotherapist currently? It would be a good idea to see if they can provide some joint mobilisation and/or provide you with some specially made splints to help improve your movement.
Facing a wrist fracture and uncertain about your next steps? Discover essential information on recognizing symptoms, understanding delayed diagnosis, and taking proactive measures for effective treatment.
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