It’s been six weeks since I broke my wrist (a distal radius fracture to be technical) and had surgery, and I’ve been told I’m coming along nicely. My physical therapist is putting me to work though, currently with all kinds of stretching exercises. With the trauma and immobilization, tendons in your wrist and fingers can really tighten up (take my word for it). Right now my injured wrist can bend vertically about 80 degrees. Compare that to how far your own wrist can bend.
The good news is, since I’m healing well, I don’t have to wear a splint any longer — just a small brace if I’m doing activities that are more physical. In fact, yesterday I donned the brace and went out bicycling for the first time since the accident. It was great to be out getting some exercise on such a beautiful day.
It’s easy to take various parts of your body for granted. You don’t realize how much you need your wrist to rotate, bend, etc. until you can’t. I get excited about little things involving my wrist now. Last week, for the first time in a month and a half, I was able to cup both hands together to splash some water on my face. A few days ago, I was able to play a barre chord on my guitar (I’ve been “ordered” to play — good therapy). The first time I picked up my guitar after the accident, I had serious doubts I would be able to play it properly again.
It’s also easy to take medical insurance for granted. I’m starting to see statements come through for the emergency room, and other medical procedures. I hate to think how I would pay for a surgeon to install a titanium plate in my wrist, if I had no insurance. Yes, I have a titanium plate in my wrist.
I have friends who have a five-year-old grandson with a heart condition. His family recently lost their health insurance coverage. You would not believe what they have to pay an insurance provider, to maintain care for their son. The portion of health insurance I pay at work this year did increase a little, but it is a pittance compared to what my friend’s daughter and son-in-law are paying. After hearing their story, I feel fortunate to have employer-provided insurance which pays for the excellent medical care I’m getting.
Speaking of which, it’s time for some more stretching.
Does this mean you have to carry an x-ray when you fly to prove that you’re not packing a gun, knife, or toe-nail clippers somewhere? If so, you should scan the x-ray and post it here. That would be cool.
The surgeon told Dad (I was unconscious in post-op at the time) that the plate would not set off metal detectors. Still, it would be cool to post a picture like that here. I’m scheduled for an x-ray and a followup with the surgeon in a few weeks and I was planning on seeing if I could get a copy.
I’m still unsure exactly how big the plate is. The scar in my wrist is about 2 and 3/4 inches, so I’m guessing it’s a little smaller than that.