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katen
Jun 11, 2011, 4:26 PM
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I have broken two bones in my left forearm. One of them has only one fracture but other one has four. They put a metal plate to each bone. The doctors said the plaster will remain 6-8 weeks and the plates will probably remain two years. I wonder when I can get back to climbing. Do metal plates cause pain when climbing? Do the plates restrict my motions? How can I speed the healing process? Is there anyone who had similar injury or anyone to help me?
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squierbypetzl
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Jun 15, 2011, 8:47 AM
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You should've asked the doctor that. I've known skateboarders who go at it with plates in their shins, but it doesn't seem like a great idea to me. What's 2 years of doing something else in contrast with messing up your arm for the rest of your life?
They'll have you doing exercises after the cast comes off to help your atrophied muscles get back into shape. Ask your physical therapist or whoever oversees your treatment if you can toprope some easy stuff after a few weeks. Only they can give you an answer since only they know your full diagnosis.
(This post was edited by squierbypetzl on Jun 15, 2011, 8:52 AM)
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jjanowia
Jun 15, 2011, 1:52 PM
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It really depends on the fracture.
My experience: MTB accident, compound fracture of both radius and ulna, and ulna poking outta the skin (it was gross).
I was prescribed physical therapy for about 10 weeks starting pretty soon after surgery. At the end of the 10 weeks, I could more or less do a couple of pushups.
I was able to comfortably go back to the gym about 4 months out. The plates probably won't cause you much pain if they were simply joining the big bones back together.
YMMV, but generally speaking plating the big bones back together heals pretty well. Fractures of the elbow or the little wrist bones usually involve a lengthier recovery time.
Don't skimp on the physical therapy.
(This post was edited by jjanowia on Jun 15, 2011, 1:52 PM)
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katen
Jun 15, 2011, 8:44 PM
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thanks for sharing your experience. I have fractures radius and ulna either, not in articulations. I think i will start physical therapy in 1 or 2 weeks. I hope it heals me quickly. |
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katen
Jun 15, 2011, 8:49 PM
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thank you for replying. i know i should ask a doktor and i have asked already. :) but i just want to hear from who have had the same thing and wonder how the recovery is. the doctor haven't said a certain date to start climbing yet. |
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onceahardman
Jun 17, 2011, 11:01 PM
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This is a question for the doc. Squier gave you a great answer.
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rtwilli4
Jun 23, 2011, 11:57 PM
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I'll add that you should explain in detail what you expect to be able to do with your arm after recovery. You should even go as far as to show your PT a picture or video of someone climbing. You have to make them push you if you want to make a full recovery and you must do the exercises that they prescribe. Ask if it's OK to do them at home (and it is, so you should). There is no way that your insurance company is going to pay for the amount of PT that it will take for you to make a full climber's recovery so you have to do some of the work yourself.
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