Recovery from dominant hand frctures?

[talaxandra]

Last week I tripped, fell and managed to fracture both a finger and hand bone (3rd proximal phalanx & 4th metatarsal, to be precise). I have a back slab for now & will have screws +/- a K-wire next week. I fractured a finger a couple of years ago - sadly now looking like the beginning of a trend rather than the unfortunate accident it initially appeared! - so I know what I am in for.

Last time, though, it was my non-dominant hand and pinky, this time - not. Still annoying but not so vital, and it took weeks of exercises to get most of my strength and function back. I am a little concerned about how long it will take this time, given how much I use that hand, especially as I am studying as well as working. But so far nobody has given me any indication of how long it will be. Anyone have any ideas? I know individuals vary, but even a rough approximate would be fine. The really annoying thing is that I leave for a 6/52 trip to the UK + US

almost 3 weeks post-op, so my initial rehab will be supervised by... me.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I had very different injuries than you (multiple evulsions of the wrist and a nondiplace fracture in the middle knuckle in my hand -- not the finger) ... but it took a year for my handwriting to be normal again. However, I had terrific movement of my fingers and could do activites of daily living (such as buttons and zippers, holding forks and spoons, etc.) within 2 or 3 weeks. I was able to type normally on the computer in about 8 weeks.

Since the initial phase of my recovery was very quick, it surprised me that handwriting took so long. I guess handwriting is such a complex fine motor skill that it took a long time in my case.

Good luck to you.

[talaxandra]

Just the kind of information I wanted - thank you :)

I am really looking forward to being able to eat with my right hand again, and do the washing up in less time, and cut up vegies and...)