So today the pins came out (painless) and I am happy to say the hard cast is off. Once the pin tracks heal in 3 days I can get the area wet / sweat. I will have to wear a removable cast for a while but can start some gentle wrist exercises. Now the real work begins!
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I read a few posts that described the pin / K-wire removal process as excruciating or 'the most painful thing I have felt in my life'. This did not sound very encouraging but I was skeptical. Today I came across this video which shows a guy pulling out his own pins (with supervision by the Doctor). If it is done with gentle constant pulling, I guess it should not be painful at all. Read more below for the video. Losing mobility is one of the many consequences of injury - this can be just as detrimental to recovery as losing strength or cardiovascular capacity. I do a modified form of yoga called ROMWOD. Other than my injured wrist, my body has remained very flexible. Use injury as an opportunity to learn new range of motion exercises. Give ROWOD a try.
It is important to keep up the mobility and core strength. The biggest challenge is not sweating (the pins could allow bacteria to pass through the skin). Read below for more ideas on how to stay moving... So after the surgery, the surgeon said 10-12 weeks with a cast. Do not get wet. Do not event sweat or else the pins coming through your skin will allow for infection. Infection = 12 weeks of intravenous antibiotics. Basically do not have fun... Read more below to hear how I dealt with this news. 1. Go for hikes early in the morning when it is not too warm.
2. Use voice to text as much as possible to make your life easier. If your career involves typing on a computer I highly recommend the Dragon Assistant. 3. Go on a road trip to clear your head and pass the time. [Have a friend drive. It is not a good idea to drive long distances or at all with one hand]. 4. Take your tynenol but get away from the painkillers ASAP. 5. Try to maintain your fitness and mobility. If you're an athlete find modifications to your favorite trainings, even if it seems goofy. 6. Use a hairdryer on the cool setting to keep your cast and skin underneath dry. The car AC works well too! Buy a cast protector for the shower rather than messing with garbage bags or bread bags. 7. Do not isolate yourself, if you are a Crossfiter you may cancel your subscription for a few months but drop by and visit if you have friends there. 8. Find a few good books. If you are normally an active person you will suddenly find time to read, take the opportunity to slow down. 9. Thank everyone around you because you will need their help at some point. 10. Write a blog! |
AuthorI have been doing Crossfit since 2007. Recently I suffered a serious wrist injury. Archives
May 2016
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