Return to work after broken wrist?

Nurses General Nursing

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I was in a car accident and broke my wrist, Trapeziod to be specific. I get my cast off on Tuesday. I'm just wondering if anyone has any idea how long I can expect to be out of work after the cast is removed? I have to be able to return with no restrictions, as I am an RN in the ICU. I know he will tell me more on Tuesday, but just wondering if anyone has an idea?

Specializes in Med/Surg, Neuro, ICU, travel RN, Psych.
Why would they need to sign off if this didn't occur at work? I would think it would have to be her/his ortho doc who would need to make that determination. Are you currently on short-term disability? If so, what does the case manager say?

Yes, I get short term disability. They really don't say much. They just keep approving it through each doctors appointment. So they just go by what my ortho says. I'm approved right now through Tuesday. Then from there, they send in the prog note from that day, and they will approve me through the next appt. This ortho just seems to have the wait and see attitude. Since he didn't believe it was broke to begin with. Said that if it was it would still be swollen. Of course it swelled back up like the next day, lol.

Specializes in Emergency, Cardiac, PAT/SPU, Urgent Care.
Hmm, that is interesting. I'm surprised they let you work. Just because of the liability if you were to injure it further while working. We are union here, so things often have to be done very specific. I was told I can not come back to work until I am able to return with absolutely no restrictions. So that basically means no brace or anything. Never mind that if I have a brace on, I wouldn't be able to put gloves on or effectively wash my hands.

Funny thing is, my ortho (who also had privileges at our hospital) never gave me any restrictions. He asked me if I thought I could still do my job duties (I could), and went by what I said. I could still get a large glove over the hand with the cast (although it did look rather interesting) and felt it was well-protected from injury due to the hard cast. The hospital I worked for at that time was a small, very rural, community hospital where there was only one RN in the ED per shift, so I'm sure that made a huge difference, also, as to why they let me continue to work. ;)

Specializes in Med/Surg, Neuro, ICU, travel RN, Psych.
Funny thing is, my ortho (who also had privileges at our hospital) never gave me any restrictions. He asked me if I thought I could still do my job duties (I could), and went by what I said. I could still get a large glove over the hand with the cast (although it did look rather interesting) and felt it was well-protected from injury due to the hard cast. The hospital I worked for at that time was a small, very rural, community hospital where there was only one RN in the ED per shift, so I'm sure that made a huge difference, also, as to why they let me continue to work. ;)

I could see that if it was your thumb, and the way it was casted. Since mine is my wrist, and I have the cast that goes up to just below my elbow, I still have free use of my fingers. If I'm not careful, I can move it wrong and get a pretty sharp pain. I have a 19 month old, so I use it more than I'm supposed to. Hard not to, when caring for a toddler. :)

Specializes in Med/Surg, Neuro, ICU, travel RN, Psych.

I got the cast off, my ortho said that I could return in about 2 weeks, IF I feel that I am able. He pretty much left it up to me, and what I feel comfortable with. I have to wear a brace for a week, taking it off multiple times a day for my at home excercises. If in a week to week and half if I feel like I am having a lot of pain, or having difficulty, then to call and he would send me for some PT.

Specializes in Operating Room.
I broke my thumb years ago - actually, an avulsion fx where I had a thumb spica splint for a few days and then ortho casted me. I still worked my scheduled shifts, even with my cast on (non-dominant hand). It never really occurred to me that I wouldn't be able to work (I was an ED nurse at the time). I also underwent PT afterward and still worked. I'm not telling you that you should or shouldn't be able to work - of course only your doc can determine that - but I find it interesting how some places won't let you work while others will.
I just broke my scaphoid..I'm in a cast. I was told that I can't work in a room..I'm an OR nurse. Scaphoid fractures are also notorious for not healing well and for being hard to diagnose-so maybe that's why they told me to stay out. The doctor said there can also be complications..As much as I like my job-it's not worth losing function in my hand.

Plus, we do a lot of moving and lifting so even though the cast is on my non-dominant hand, I wouldn't be much use anyway.

i fell on the ice and broke my right wist. I am right handed also. I work as a cna in a nursing home. The doctor i saw said that i could work and do mt duties as norma expect give baths since i can not get my cast wet. I told him i could noy even brush my upper denture or put my hand around the sterring wheel. My question is would it be safe for the resident me working with mt hand in a cast?

Specializes in Med/Surg, Neuro, ICU, travel RN, Psych.
i fell on the ice and broke my right wist. I am right handed also. I work as a cna in a nursing home. The doctor i saw said that i could work and do mt duties as norma expect give baths since i can not get my cast wet. I told him i could noy even brush my upper denture or put my hand around the sterring wheel. My question is would it be safe for the resident me working with mt hand in a cast?

That is crazy. Never mind the liability for your employer.

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