I went in for my surgery follow-up and an evaluation with the physical therapist today. Per my doctor's request I moved and worked my fingers as much as possible during the two weeks I was in the cast. I approached the exercise like a typical overachiever--set little goals for myself every day, pushed myself to the point of pain and exhaustion, etc. Today I walked into the doctor's office able to throw up
rock horns, flip the bird, and make a fist. My doctor was thrilled. He said my finger mobility has put me way ahead of the game in terms of rehabbing from my injury, and thus I was sent off to the physical therapist with his full blessing to be fitted for a removable wrist brace.
The physical therapist was equally impressed with how much mobility I already have in my wrist and hand. My fingers won't need any PT at all beyond keeping them moving as much as I am now, and other than improving the already halfway decent movement I have in my wrist, I don't have a ton to work on. The only things that have been a challenge thus far have been tilting my hand back at the wrist (supination, I believe) and turning my hand over so the palm is facing up when my arm is extended out (also supination, I think). And even that isn't pain so much as stiffness.
I was extremely curious as to how my wrist would look after the cast and surgical dressings were removed. Honestly it didn't look that bad. The forearm has lost a little muscle tone, but it's hardly a chalky, withered dead arm. There's still a little puffiness around the incision site, but the incision itself is practically healed (yay absorbable sutures!). I complemented my doctor on his artistry--not only is my plated bone looking awesome on x-rays, but I should end up with just a thin two-inch scar for my trouble.
Naturally, I took pictures of the unveiling that I'll get posted on Flickr soon. We all love a good horrorshow.
So now it's four weeks in this removable brace and then I'll be able to get back on skates. Even if I can't do any contact, at least I can get back up to speed in terms of endurance. Maybe I can help coach the new girls we get after the league tryout next weekend or help out the refs (need any bodies
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif?v=92)
jazzometer,
textureslut?) until I'm cleared for contact and falls again--in June, most likely.
Incidentally, whenever someone asks me about my wrist and how I hurt myself, I tell them and then I flyer them. My physical therapist was my latest victim. Got to get butts in the seats at Du Burns on May 3!
