Fractured Wrist

Unknown · May 2007

I managed to fracture my wrist yesterday whilst moutain biking and I'm worried about losing my fitness. I have obviously been told to not play sports for a month or 2, but I'm wondering if it would be ok to buy a cheap turbo trainer and use that?
Has anyone else been in this posistion?

Uncle Phil · May 2007

Yes - I've been there (fell over on an ice rink. Everybody heard the crack of the bones breaking echoing around the arena...)

If you only broke it yesterday, you're probably still in a "backslab" while the swelling goes down a bit. When they put a proper cast on in a day or two, you'll be a little more comfortable and you'll be able to do more with your hand. If you can get them to use fibreglass bandage as well as or instead of plaster in the cast it'll be lighter and more waterproof (maybe this is standard these days?)

Not only could I not ride a bike for three months or so (it was too weak and sore even after the plaster came off), I couldn't play guitar for six months (it was my left wrist.) Although there are those who'll say I couldn't play anyway and still can't....

If you live on your own, you're in for some challenges. Driving may be difficult. Tying your shoe laces can be impossible, buttons and zips tricky while your fingers are weak, and you may starve before you're able to use a tin opener. (I resorted to holding the tin in a vice and using the jiggle-it-up-and-down tin opener on a swiss army knife, rather than the squeeze-and-turn-the-handle type).

I think I was able to maintain some fitness largely because I lived four miles from the nearest shop and I had to walk to get food - or go hungry! So I did a lot of walking. When the break started to mend, I was able to run as well (vibration made it too sore initially).

You'll know what's OK to do with your wrist. If it's not OK it'll hurt. A lot in the early stages. Playing squash with that hand will be out of the question for months. Contact sports are probably unwise for a while - you don't want to crack it again while it's weak. That's probably where the "don't play sports" advice comes from.

You won't want to put any weight on your wrist for quite a while, so the trainer'll probably be OK as long as you can ride it hands free. But you'll get bored. Once you're able to run, you might find that more satisfying. When the plaster finally comes off, your wrist'll feel (and look!) like wet spaghetti - see if you can get the hospital to give you a neoprene support for it at that stage.

Of course, if you get a recumbent bike, that puts no weight on your wrists. You could probably ride one tomorrow. Well, maybe next week. I have one now - I wish I'd had it then. On the other hand, learning to ride recumbent, with the attendant probability of falling off, probably wouldn't be wise with a dodgy wrist...

One other thing - after the plaster's off, grab any offers of physiotherapy with both hands. It's a nuisance schlepping back and forth to appointments, but I promise it'll be worth the hassle and pain in the long run. Broken wrists can get stronger and stronger, but stiffer and stiffer. If you don't do the physio, you may end up with one hand that won't do what it used to, ever. Physio should help prevent this, so do it.

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot
Nothing is going to get better. It's not"
- Dr Seuss

Give Baby Elephants Room!

Unknown · May 2007

I've had a fibre glass cast put on today and don't have to use a sling as long as I keep my arm up so I'm a bit more mobile.

Luckily I don't live on my own only being 15 but have found out that jeans with button flys are the most frustrating thing when you really need to go.

I think I may invest in Turbo trainer to keep my fitness up and stop me getting fat as a recumbent is a bit more money than I would like to spend.

Thanks for all your advice.

Unknown · May 2007

Or just join a local gym.. they will have sit down stationary bikes..

be careful of the fact that it will throb nicely for a couple of hours after exercise.. that is just the fact that your blood vessels are dilated and your heart is pumping..

Personally would leave it for about 4 weeks and then think about it... you will lose a bit but nothing to worry about.

Paul-B · June 2007

Yoaduis, I have been in the same position this year having broken my wrist in February. I think the problem with the turbo trainer is sweat build up - this is a problem anyway with limited air flow, and if you get sweaty inside the cast it will later itch like crazy. The best advice is really to do a lot of walking to maintain a base level while not exerting yourself and just watch that you're eating less if you are burning fewer calories that your normal routine, so you don't have a lot of lard to get rid of when you're back on the bike. I have ridden with a cast on before after a few weeks but only for short local trips. The first few long rides after the cast is removed will be painful when you go over bumps so you need to be careful, though the bone should be fully fused so you won't be doing any damage to it at that stage.

Paul

Lazarus · June 2007

Turbo trainer sessions are as Paul-B has pointed out are very sweaty and the cast doesn't smell to pleasant after[xx(]. I found that after 3 weeks I was able to ride the bike with it on. so that could be an option, though I would advise riding on your own because control is impaired.

Not to put a damper on your day but it seemed to me that it's when the cast comes off that your troubles really begin, Wrist weak as a kitten and pains that shoot off in all directions, whenever you try to do something with it.

Not an option yet but after the cast comes off then swimming seems to be a good form of exercise to strengthen it.

One side note that Uncle Phil pointed out about driving being difficult, i was told that my insurance was invalid whilst i had a cast on and was not allowed to drive. Not a problem at 15 i know but others might wish to find out if it happens to them

"You can't get lucky all the time" 
"but you can be smart everyday"

Paul-B · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Lazarus

One side note that Uncle Phil pointed out about driving being difficult, i was told that my insurance was invalid whilst i had a cast on and was not allowed to drive. Not a problem at 15 i know but others might wish to find out if it happens to them
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I looked into this as well. My insurance company said that it wasn't up to them, but if you are driving with impairment then it's up to your consultant (or they would seek medical opinion in the event of a claim). So I asked the consultant, and he said "no way" until the cast was off, and even then take it easy (though technically you'd be OK then).

chriswcp · June 2007

and the morale of the story is, don't go mountain biking. It's an accident waiting to happen.

coopj · June 2007

I'm just recovering from a broken elbow, it's been 2 months since I broke it, I've been having physio every week since and still can't cycle as my arm is far too weak and I can't straighten it enough. I've been going to the gym a lot but am now hitting the point where I get really bored as there is so little I can do. Keep yourself motivated and try lots of different things to stop boredom, take whatever treatment is on offer, maybe set a goal thats not bike related to keep yourself going - I'm thinking of signing up to a 10k run towards the end of the year so I feel like I'm achieving something. It does depend a lot on where the break is - the closer it is to the joint the stiffer it will be.

Best of luck![:)]

"I approve of myself"

genki · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by coopj
I'm just recovering from a broken elbow, it's been 2 months since I broke it, I've been having physio every week since and still can't cycle as my arm is far too weak and I can't straighten it enough. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

What bit did you break coopj? It's sounds nasty.

I fractured my elbow last weekend (radial head) but was told it doesn't need a cast or plaster. The doc didn't say how long I should stay off the bike other than "when you feel comfortable". Two months out would really depress me...My aim is to do the Maratona and Marmotte in 3 and 4 weeks time but don't know if I should cancel and claim back what I can on insurance.

maxbass · June 2007

coopj and genki
I shattered my elbow joint 9 weeks ago and have a plate and 5 screws now attached, i managed to remove the tricep attachment on the elbow and dislocate it too so for me it couldn't have been much worse.
I was in plaster for 4 weeks and have had regular physio since, i have nearly full movement , strength is improving.
Since week 2 i have been on the turbo nearly every day for up to an hour,(this was boring and hard but i've stuck with it - thank god for the spring classics and sky+, get a fan too you'll need it) the last 2 weeks i have been running and swimming too.
So 2 nights ago i felt well and strong enough to have a go on my mountain bike and did 4 miles on a hilly route,and felt good. [:)]
Last night after being told officially by my specialist to get out on the bike i managed 18 miles (road bike ) in an hour- though this felt enough for now.

have some of this !!!!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=GHJErrp4eOw

Fractured Wrist

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