Fractured Wrist

My supervisor broke his wrist last year snowboarding...and his was splinted for a few days until the swelling went down enough to the get casted...

Feel better

Not every fracture needs a cast, if you have a splint then they clearly think the fracture is not too bad and it will heal fine on its own as long as you follow their instructions.

I broke my wrist a few years ago. The doctor told me that the cast is more to protect you from pain. If you bump your wrist without a cast on, that would really hurt. If you have a cast on it might hurt a little (especially in the beginning) but not too much. He said there wasn't much danger in doing more damage to the wrist.

I was in a splint at first, too. I can't remember how long, but I'm pretty sure it was only a couple of days. I was told that was because of the swelling. They wanted to wait for the swelling to go down before they casted it. I was in a cast for about 6 weeks, though after about 3 weeks they took the cast off and recasted my wrist because the cast was very loose in places.

I would give the doctor's office a call just to be safe and for your own piece of mind. But if your injury is anything like mine (and mine was the result of a similar type of fall), there really isn't a risk of you doing any damage.

Sorry you have to put up with this! It kind of stinks dealing with an injury like that, but you will learn lots of tricks along the way. Good luck!

If you have it in a splint, you should be fine. I majorly broke my arm-completely snapped it in 4 places, and required surgery to fix. I was in a brace for 12 weeks... The first was because my arm had to be x-rayed regularly for the first 4 weeks to make sure the pins and plates were staying, as well as to provide access to my stitches... But even after that they just kept me in the splint.

I have broken my wrist before, and had it casted... And honestly I preferred the splint. Especially for a fracture, and not a clean break. Be careful with your wrist,and it would probably be a good idea to make sure the brace is secure before bed so you don't jar it in your sleep.

The brace is a lot more convenient. You don't have to deal with the itching, the buildup of dead skin, nasty cast smell... You can take it off to bathe (carefully) or soak in a hot tub if you want. :)

My husband has a fracture in his hand now and has a removable cast. Seems like a splint in a way. My niece fractured her wrist and had a very easily removable brace. So doesn't seem uncommon that not all fractures get a cast.

I had a cast for about 6 weeks when I broke my wrist. Good luck!!!

I had the displeasure of fracturing my elbow. They usually will put the fractured bone in some sort of sling or splint situation. My elbow was never in a cast and took over two months to get close to normal. It was the most painful experience I've ever had even more painful than childbirth. At least childbirth rises and falls, the fracture was just constant, persistent, non-stop pain. The first night was the worse trying to figure out how to sleep and not move the elbow.

I didn't know you move an that joint so much. LOL

Long story short, take pain meds when you are in pain before the pain becomes too much to bare. Physical therapy will hurt but it will help with range of motion after being stabalized for so long.

My elbow is back to normal for the most part. The only thing I still can't really do for any length of time is laying face down with my arms above my head. This gives the elbow a fit so I just don't do it. Every other motion is a go.

So, how is he treating it. Fabric braces are often used instead of a cast. And are you putting your arm in a sling?

I suggest that this info is needed to know if others's experiences will help you.

For my broken wrist, I was only in a cast & sling for 3 weeks, then a splint.
I still use the splint in public. The Next thing to ask about would be physical
Therapy. If you are going to do it, it pays to start ASAP.

I would think they would split it first, and then if you're still moving it too much they would cast it. They want you to be able to have some movement so it doesn't get too stiff, but not too much that if can't heal - if that makes sense.

However, if you are uncomfortable with your doctor or the outcome, then absolutely seek a second opinion.

Did you ask why no cast?

I've had hairline fractures in the wrists and had casts every time for 8 weeks.
You can buy a wrist brace in any drug store and wear that.
At least that way you can take it off for washing.

Sorry to hear this .. my friend broke hers falling when skating with her kids. She had a cast on hers - I think it depends on how severe the fracture is, and that will also determine how long they leave it on. I have known people to just have splints though .. I'm sure they would figure this out from the x-ray.

I always go to Mayo Clinic for info:

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/broken-wris...

and then I would follow up with your Ortho (or doctor) if you have questions. It's always important to ask why they are treating you as they are (if you have doubts). If you didn't ask when you were there, you can always call back just to say you want clarification - don't feel bad about that, patients do that all the time.

Good luck :)

I did and was supposed to do PT on it. Didn't follow the PT whatsoever and completely regret it to this day (hurt my wrist over 12 years ago). Keep the splint on as much as you can and then find out if you need to PT it. Shouldn't take long and it will heal so much better!