Cope With a Broken Wrist

Breaking your wrist is a very common fracture; it usually affects the elderly, because of frail bones, but can also be an issue for other age groups. It is extremely painful, and sometimes the doctors don't explain the consequences very well.

Steps

 * 1)  Follow the doctor's instructions when it comes to pain relief, use of the arm, etc. Make sure you ask any and all questions that you have. Some of the questions that are sometimes overlooked are such as "How long will I be in a cast?" or, if you have had to have a plate and screws put in, "How long does the plate stay in?"
 * 2)  Don't rush things. Your pain will be a good indicator that you shouldn't be doing things. If in doubt, clarify it with your doctor, or look up information on the web. Wikipedia is very helpful.
 * 3)  Ask if your fracture has a specific name, like distal radius fracture, and what type it may be - comminuted, etc. This will make it easier to look it up.
 * 4)  Make sure that your friends and family understand that you can't do certain things for them, and that you may need their help a lot more.
 * 5)  Some of the things that become very hard to do, especially if you break the wrist on your dominant side, is to clean your teeth, brush your hair, even get dressed. Make sure that you have clothes that are easy to get in and out of - pull up pants are much better than pants you have to button or zip.
 * 6)  Be patient. It is very hard, especially if you are an active person, but you can do more damage by rushing things, or trying to be "brave". Recovery from a broken wrist can take up to 2 years in severe cases, and you will be unable to do anything strenuous with the arm for three to six months, maybe even longer.
 * 7)  Nerve damage is quite likely as well, and some wrist fractures result in carpel tunnel syndrome. If you have any concerns, remember to raise them with your doctor. He/she is not a mind reader, and may not know you're worried about something, or having symptoms that are unusual.
 * 8) Know that if you have been prescribed therapy for your wrist, make sure you go and do it - you will get out of it what you put into it, and a good therapist can help you regain a lot more function in your wrist. If you don't like the therapist, or what they are doing, discuss it with your doctor, he may be able to recommend someone else. A good therapist is worth their weight in gold.

Tips

 * Try and keep your wrist supported when you sleep - a good trick is to lie on your good side with the arm draped over a pillow, one that is perpendicular to your body.
 * Warmth can sometimes ease the pain a little - be careful to not make the swelling worse, or to have too hot a heat source.
 * Keeping your wrist elevated, in a sling, or across your chest while sitting

Warnings

 * Do not try to lift or carry things with your injured arm - it may seem light, but it will do damage to your arm! Especially in the early stages.

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Recover from Repetitive Stress Injury
 * How to Prevent Your Voice from Cracking
 * How to Prevent Your Legs from Getting Hurt from the Splits
 * How to Get Rid of Side Cramps