I've broken the ulna and radius ( 2 main bones in the arm) just below the hand. It was displaced and pulled into line.
Cast comes off in 2 weeks. I'm hoping I can be sailing a few weeks after that but I'm after other sailors experiences getting back into it.
How long did it take, any setbacks, long term issues.
I know everyone is different and I'm older so it will probably take longer. I suppose a sports physio will be better?
Thanks in advance.

I started rehab 2 weeks after breaking the 5th metacarpal bone in my left hand. I started sailing a further 2 weeks later, however I wore a small light weight water proof cast while sailing for an additional 2 weeks.

Bones can be the fastest bit to repair. It's the other damage that can take time, and that's where the rehab is really important. Seek treatment from a good physio. You might recover very quickly if your damage is minimal and your rehab ethic is good!
I had a very bad ankle injury, without bone damage, but lots of torn ligament on both sides. My ankle was unstable, weak and painful for about 6 months, but finally did get better.

want to increase amount of protein you eat to help heal bones, muscles will atrophy quickly in a cast. Make sure you are exercising rest of body safely, will help heal wrist.

I broke my wrist dirt biking, plates and screws it took rehab and 4 months off work and sailing. 55 years old no more dirt biking. Maybe your doctor could tell you when it is safe to sail again?

awg said..
Sorry, but the biceps will not be bigger, as it only works to bring up the forearm, which you can't do in the cast.

Bugger..

sboardcrazy said..

Hydrosurf said..
I broke my wrist dirt biking, plates and screws it took rehab and 4 months off work and sailing. 55 years old no more dirt biking. Maybe your doctor could tell you when it is safe to sail again?

That doesn't sound like much fun..I'm going to wait till the cast is off then try and get a sports physio .

Sue, your bones will be strong enough when they take the cast off. However the physio and rehab exercises will be intense, because you haven't used any of the muscles in your hands, wrist and arm for 6 weeks.

sboardcrazy said..

Sandman1221 said..
want to increase amount of protein you eat to help heal bones, muscles will atrophy quickly in a cast. Make sure you are exercising rest of body safely, will help heal wrist.

I'm taking calcium tablets and eating dairy. I eat fairly healthily.
Trying to keep fit via an exercise bike and walking..

Calcium, magnesium, and zinc all work together, Country Life makes on tablet with all three. And protein is very important for rebuilding bones.

h20 said..
Hey Sue

As a Physio, I would suggest the usual plan would be to expect 12 weeks minimum from this type of injury for a return to sport/windsurfing. So expect 6 weeks after removal of the cast as an approximate. You need full range of motion and excellent grip strength. Your Physio will be able to advise when you are ready to hit the water.

Thanks. Not really what I was hoping to hear but I'll just have to reset my expectations..

Tardy said..
YOU will be back in Force Sue ...until then repair ..being a tough windsurfing chic ,you will shave a week or two off that time

I love your confidence... here's hoping..

Maybe you could join the rest of us and start kiteing,
Some of the oldies on here would say a limp wrist is an advantage for kites. lol

Funny Imax Kiting is declining with a lot of them going to "wing dinging".

Back on topic - sorry to hear of your injury.
I broke my wrist snowboarding years ago and in NZ we have ACC that covers work and sports injuries.
When I saw the young surgeon he decided to put a screw in my Scaphoid. A few days after the surgery they fitted a plastic support. Had the electric frypan with water in to soften it and molded to suit me. I had booked a snowboarding holiday so made a two piece carbon kevlar protection using plastic wrap, mould release wax, polyester resin (as you can get it to go off fast) and done in an afternoon. I was back on the mountain ten days after breaking my wrist.

When it came to windsurfing, it was winter and I didn't try until 3 months after and took a few weeks to get it feeling strong.
I cut down the plastic support to suit to have more freedom and them used Velcroed wrist support.

My advice is to see a physio and tell them you windsurf and get some exercises to do.
Get voltaren 25mg to help reduce swelling and take the edge off the pain when you get on the water.
All the best for your recovery

sboardcrazy said..
Thanks. The cast is a heavy above elbow one designed so I can't rotate my wrist or extend the elbow .I imagine building up the muscles and getting the range of movement back will be the challenge. At least my left bicep should be bigger than normal due to holding the weight of the cast when it's not in the sling..
It sounds like it might take a bit longer than I'd hoped..

Sue,
Rotten bad luck about the injury, just take it easy for a while until you see how it is after the cast comes off. Pity they didn't have a carbon cast for you.

russh said..

sboardcrazy said..
Thanks. The cast is a heavy above elbow one designed so I can't rotate my wrist or extend the elbow .I imagine building up the muscles and getting the range of movement back will be the challenge. At least my left bicep should be bigger than normal due to holding the weight of the cast when it's not in the sling..
It sounds like it might take a bit longer than I'd hoped..

Wow - did they get the work experience kid to do that plaster -

here's hoping it's all fully functional and you have a quick recovery

The first cast I got in SA was better but I got it wet and had to have it replaced. This one hurts. I can hardly wait to get rid of it..

Be really careful with a painful cast. If too constrictive it can cause further issues. Get it checked out if concerned!

sboardcrazy said..

awg said..
Be really careful with a painful cast. If too constrictive it can cause further issues. Get it checked out if concerned!

Yes I asked my chiro about that. It's intermittent and if I fiddle around with how the arm is positioned I can ease it a bit.
I've padded the sharpest bits I can get to with cotton wool . After the first change of cast I don't really want another. I got the first one wet.
It took 3 of them 30 mins to saw and hack it off ( it was well made) and they had to hold my wrist the whole time so the bones wouldn't move..
I'd hate to have a full leg caste,

And how did you get the first cast wet?