Looking after your fractured wrist


Cork Emergency, Physiotherapy and Orthopaedic Departments


Background

You will be in back-slab or cast for 4 - 6 weeks.

To maximise your recovery and help prevent complications, please note the following advice..........

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Keep moving

Keep moving

Raise your hand above your head, make a full fist and straighten fingers as shown in photos:

  • Make a circular motion with your thumb
  • Try and touch your thumb to all your fingers
  • Remember at rest (e.g. watching TV) try and keep your hand above heart level as much as possible
Keep using

Keep Using

  • When dressing put your injured arm into sleeve first
  • when undressing take injured arm out last
  • Try not to ignore your injured hand; using the hand will prevent muscle weakness

Stop smoking

  • Smoking delays bone healing and can increse the risk of infection
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Control your pain

  • It is important to manage your pain to allow you to exercise and sleep
  • You can get advice on pain control from your doctor or pharmacist
Healthy diet

Maintain a healthy diet

  • Increase your intake of Vitamin C in your diet e.g. eat 5 pieces of fruit or veg a day
  • Recommended dose—500mg daily

If the following occurs...

Call us
  • Pain increases
  • Fingers swell-up
  • You can’t do your exercises
  • The cast feels too tight
  • Persistent pins & needles
  • You can’t use your hand in light activities

Please contact the hospital where your cast was applied.


Useful numbers / websites

Plaster Technician in CUH: 021 4546400 / ext 22445

www.myorthoclinic.com

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If you are concerned, please contact the Emergency Department you first attended: MUH (021)4271971 M-UCC at SMHC (St. Mary’s Health Campus) (021) 4926900 CUH (021) 4922000 LIU Mallow General Hospital (022) 58506 Bantry General Hospital (027) 52900

Dr Íomhar O' Sullivan. Last review Dr ÍOS, Aileen Wood (Senior Physiotherapist in Plastics with a Special Interest in Hands) - 17/06/21. Many thanks to Cork CRPS Forum for the patient information leaflet.