What Does the Specialist Say?

If I were really clever, I would do this post in rhyme as a parody of "What Does the Fox Say?"

♫
Feet go slip
Bone goes crack
Girl says OW OW OW
ring ding ding dingding dingdingdingding
ring ding ding dingding dingdingdingding

♫

But I'm not.

After getting patched up at the E.R., I was sent home with a referral to a hand & arm specialist. I called as soon as I got home Tuesday afternoon and was fortunate to be seen right away the next morning.  All night I was hoping that the break could simply be set and cast, and I'd be on my merry way.  After all, I had some running to do. I had a race in 10 days ... a free one, at that! I had won a spot in the Wilson Creek Frozen 50K in a raffle and was really looking forward to it.  I think I can see Wilson Peak from my back window, and I want to know if I can see my neighborhood from Wilson Peak.

I had a feeling, though, that this was not to be the case. If it were that straightforward, couldn't the ER doctor do it?  Why was I being referred to a specialist?

At my appointment, the Specialist reviewed the situation, looked at my x-rays, and gave the news: Surgery. I need surgery to properly repair my arm.

For the record, the alternatives are to 1) simply cast it, but due to the nature of the break it would likely heal in a misaligned position, and have a high risk of arthritis later.  They could 2) put in pins (external fixators), but again, due to the kind of break although it would heal straight, the bone would be very weak and subject to fracturing more easily if I fell again.  

Titanium plate to repair comminuted distal radial fracture

The Specialist called it a "comminuted" fracture. When I looked that up, it means, "reduced to minute particles or fragments." Yeah. Apparently I didn't just break it, I pulverized it.

So, I get one of these bad boys installed ------

Our lovely acrylic radius bone here is modeling a fine European titanium plate specially crafted for distal radial fractures. "We can rebuild her. We have the technology. We can make her better than she was. Better... stronger... faster." boing-ing-ing-ing-ing-ing-ing!

That would be one bruised and swollen hand.

Of course, I asked about running. They recommend ZERO road or trail running for six to eight weeks! ACK! The reasons are the risk of falling again while I am not yet fully healed, plus the jarring. However, I can walk my little legs off. The increased blood flow will promote healing, though it may make my arm throb! The PA (a volleyball player, so she understands the pain of being benched) said let the pain be my guide.

His office does surgeries on Thursdays. It would have been nice to get me in right away the next day, but the swelling was prohibitive and would complicate the surgery more than waiting until the next Thursday. The PA wrapped me up in a fresh, slightly smaller, splint than the one from the ER and sent me home.

The bruising extends from fingertip to elbow...

I popped plenty of ibuprofen during the day (and hydrocodone at night) and went to work as usual the rest of the week, biding my time until Thursday 16th, hoping the swelling goes down. 

As I write this, it's Tuesday evening, one week after my fall. I am starting to count the hours until surgery. I am so uncomfortable walking around broken. I'm ready to get fixed and start healing!



(Next installment, post-op!)

Remember, I fell on my ass. It's bruised too!
♫ Bruise Moooon ... ♫