broke my hand, now what

Bossman - 2009-02-21 6:11 PM Don't feel bad, I wrote an injury rant a few weeks ago. I went skiing in Vermont last weekend and totaled my right knee (ACL, LCL, and lateral meniscus). I'll have reconstructive surgery in a few weeks and my summer races are shot. Run your race unless your doctor advises against it, and remember that it could be worse.

 Wow, sorry to hear about you injury. That stinks. Good luck with the surgery.  I don't think I will need surgery luckily, it looks like a clean break.

Ok, I believe what you have is also referred to as a boxers fracture and is a fairly common hand injury.  Last year I sustained a boxers fracture while wrestling with my two girls (ages 8 & 10).  They kicked my butt, but thats a different story.

Anyway, in my case a physicians assitant put a funky half cast on my arm which I romoved as soon as I got home. Three days later the doctor put a short arm cast (fiberglass) on.  It lasted about two weeks before I sawed it off with a hack saw.  My wife was a little P.O.'d about that one.

So I went back to the doctor and said, "Hey brother, I need something for protection and support with the ability to remove it in order to bathe, conduct low impact movements with my hand like riding my bike, swimming and eating dinner".  I continued to explain that I would used my very best judgement regarding the use of my hand while it is not protected.

He pulled out a nylon hand/wrist brace with an aluminium support located at the 5th metacarple.  It had several criss crossing velcro straps and adjustments.  I found the brace to be comfortable, protective, washable and removeable.  After about three weeks using the brace felt comfortable enough to remove it and only put it back on when my hand became sore from over use.

For me, this was the perfect solution.

Keep in mind, bone injuries will hurt for a long time.  Let the pain be a guiding and primary factor in your healing process.  More pain, less use, less pain slightly more use.  In my mind, you should wear the brace during the swim, bike and run since it is light and close fitting. 

When you are on the podium collecting your 1st place trophy, the crowd will murmur, "he's a freaking machine, a broken hand and he still won....WTF...who the H*ll is that guy?"

Good luck!

When I was swimming in college, I broke my hand punching a concrete wall (should have been my coach, but hey that would be assault)...

They wanted me in the water so they put a waterproof cast on me.  This was 15 years ago, so I'm sure they have to have something a bit better now.  But they exist.

well looks like nobody else said it so

HTFU

 Thanks I needed that.

 I think I will be able to bike, at least on the trainer, the only part that hurts is the pinky side of my hand.  I should be like Ronny Lott and just have them cut it off. lol

i broke my wrist feb 2008 and was told I would be in a cast for 6 weeks.  after boo hooing about what that would do to my spring tri season, i sucked it up and followed doctors orders.  i was allowed to start activity again 4 weeks before the columbia triathlon and just focused my training on finishing the race.  i did end up having to bag my first HIM that was schedule 2 weeks after.

i asked about the waterproof cast and was told that they weren't really suggested.  it was only for folks who really HAD to swim.  my doctor strongly recommended that i not use one.

the way i see it, there will always be other 15ks and tris, you get one chance to have this heal correctly.  if it doesn't you could have ongoing issues.

ask your doctor.  tell 'em the run is really important to you and that you would like to do it, but not if it is going to make things worse.  listen to what they say and follow it.

when I broke my wrist a few years ago, the ortho said the extra blood flow from exercise would speed the healing, so he didn't curtail what I was doing for cardio workouts (elliptical trainer). 

As for swimming, unless you've got a great stroke and years of good habits, I'd not worry too much about swimming.   Any bad habits you learn from compensating for the extra weight and lack of movement in that arm will be hard to break. 

I'm sorry to hear about your injury.  I ruptured my plantar fascia mid january and have had a fiberglass leg cast on for the last 5 1/2 weeks, and have 1 1/2 weeks to go.  If they reccommend a fiberglass cast, see if you can get a gortex liner, which will make it waterproof.  The other option is http://www.xerosox.com/ .  I have been able to swim and do indoor spin class without any issues.

Good Luck!