Have any of you with broken wrists found casts unbearable? Had comminuted fracture of distal radius plus fracture near the thumb (seen by ER doc and new doc.) No surgery initially but cast was so painful near thumb it was unbelievable. When cast was removed thumb was contracted and extremely painful. Doc said it was probably always like that and I just didn't know it. WRONG! Therapy was helping stiff fingers and wrist but not thumb. I'm 73 and all docs saw pretty extreme arthritis on x-rays. Finally went to second orth who performed surgery on thumb. Said bones were so soft they would not hold. Have 3 pins and a cast scheduled to be removed at 6 weeks. Again the cast is killing me. Have a pretty high pain tolerance and not into pill popping. Fracture, surgery, nothing has hurt like the casts! Had this one cut back behind the knuckles and that helped; however it is still SO tight I can hardly stand it. Has anyone else had this problem?
ARGH!! Sounds terrible. Two thoughts for you....are you elevating your hand/arm to help with swelling? Second thought: Are you icing over the cast and fingers while you elevate? Please try to ice and elevate. Finally, if nothing helps after a couple of days, have the cast cut off and reapplied. It happens...i.e., the cast is simply too tight. GOOD LUCK and GOD BLESS!! This is only temporary!! Deep breaths and hang onto your wits as you sort through the solutions!!! TAKE CARE!!
Thanks for the reply. Yes, I elevate every possible minute. I don't really think there is still much swelling 2-1/2 weeks post op but may be wrong. Haven't been icing but will try that again. Probably have a fear of this cast since I'm convinced the two following fracture caused at least part of this thumb problem. First ortho doc would not listen when I told him how much pain the cast was causing my thumb joint. New ortho is wonderful and I don't want to sound like a whiner. This cast has been on 5 days and is so tight I fear it may damage bones across the back of my hand since he told me my bones are so soft they crumbled. I sure don't want to make things worse.
Pins scheduled to come out and cast off exactly 5 months after I broke my wrist. I am an amateur musician and desperately want to get back to instruments so I'll work as hard as necessary. Things could always be worse but will admit I'm ready to move on.<G>
Thanks again for your reply. I appreciate it.
You are welcome!! Hang in there!! It's temporary, but you must allow your body to heal. Ice as much as possible. Cool off that cast and your body beneath the cast. Give it a day or so with icing and continued elevation. You can do it!! GOOD LUCK and GOD BLESS!!