D78 Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 Hi everyone. I'm not seeking medical advice, and don't have a condition that needs treatment. I thought that with all of the exercisers in this forum, someone might have had a similar experience. I broke my wrist on Nov. 15, 2010. My treatment (splint, cast, brace) is complete and I did not need physical therapy. I'm regaining my full range of motion and working through the stiffness/soreness. The only problem I'm having is that the area around where my bone was broken turns red after I exercise. Last night, after doing push ups, I had what looked like a hive that was bright red, and extended from my hand to about 6 inches above where my wrist was broken. Today, it is still pink. I can't figure out what would be causing this. If anyone has had a similar experience or knows what could cause my arm to turn bright red, please let me know! Thanks! Link to post Share on other sites
Crusoe Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 Sure you haven't got a bone infection? I carried one in my hand for a few weeks after breaking it. Symptoms were similar. Link to post Share on other sites
Feelin Frisky Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 Just a question: has your doctor cleared you to exercise freely on your arm. That break seems a bit recent to me to stress it. There also could have been some tissue damage that has not yet healed which is responding to your exercising on the arm. Link to post Share on other sites
Star Gazer Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 I agree with FF. Two months after a wrist break seems pretty earlier to be putting so much pressure on it via push ups. Link to post Share on other sites
Author D78 Posted January 24, 2011 Author Share Posted January 24, 2011 Just a question: has your doctor cleared you to exercise freely on your arm. That break seems a bit recent to me to stress it. There also could have been some tissue damage that has not yet healed which is responding to your exercising on the arm. At my last appointment, the doc said I could do anything I wanted. "Even punch my punching bag? Lift weights?" "Yes. Go back to life as normal." I haven't actually punched my punching bag. I have lifted light weights (5-7 lbs) three times now, and this is the first time I have done push ups. I sprained my wrist while breaking it (because I am awesome). The sprain was on the left side of my wrist and the break was on the right side. The hive is over the right side... My doctor did not provide any guidance. I was given mixed messages from the folks at that office (once in cast, do whatever you want... no, don't do anything that would stress it...). I saw the doctor for about 1 minute 45 seconds over 4 or 5 appointments. I looked online for some guidance, but I didn't find much. This was my first broken bone, so I'm clueless. I guess I need to go find another doc who will spend some time talking to me about this. No more push ups for the foreseeable future Thanks everyone! Link to post Share on other sites
Author D78 Posted January 24, 2011 Author Share Posted January 24, 2011 Sure you haven't got a bone infection? I carried one in my hand for a few weeks after breaking it. Symptoms were similar. No I'm not sure of anything. I wonder if a bone infection would show up in an xray? Link to post Share on other sites
Lucky555 Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 I would wonder how many days post op. Also what was the diagnosis. You have to take into account nerves and tendons take time to heal. Do you have any paresthesias (numbness, tingling, loss of sensation, hypersensitivity) these are indicators your wrist is still healing and will need to do ROM exercises and strengthening the wrist/hand. If I were you i would hold off exercising that causes you to weight bear ( push ups). Let the redness go down, use some ice for swelling, and do light activities with the hand until the redness subsides. It could be your hand has not regained enough strength or ROM in order to do push ups. The doc/therapy will discharge when you are independent with your hand and can use it for functional daily activities. However, exercise i would take it easy on your hand. We use our hands 98% of the time so dont want to cause further damage to it. If there is pain with activity then dont do anything that causes pain. If I were you I would see a hand specialist. Link to post Share on other sites
Author D78 Posted January 25, 2011 Author Share Posted January 25, 2011 I would wonder how many days post op. Also what was the diagnosis. I didn't have an operation. I had a simple distal radius fracture. It was in a splint for 1 week, cast for 3 weeks, and brace for 3 weeks. Do you have any paresthesias (numbness, tingling, loss of sensation, hypersensitivity) these are indicators your wrist is still healing and will need to do ROM exercises and strengthening the wrist/hand. No. I haven't had any numbness, tingling, loss of sensation, or hypersensitivity. The doc/therapy will discharge when you are independent with your hand and can use it for functional daily activities. I have been completely discharged by the orthopedic doc. He said I did not need physical therapy. Link to post Share on other sites
whichwayisup Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 No I'm not sure of anything. I wonder if a bone infection would show up in an xray? I have no idea, but please get this checked, it could be an infection or something else. The sooner you go, the better off you'll be. Anyway I'm sure a blood test could confirm an infection, do a white cell blood test. Link to post Share on other sites
new era Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 I broke my right wrist last May when I was mowed down by a friggin car as I was crossing at the green light...6 weeks in a cast Redness is never a good sign. Usually a doctor can tell just by doing a visual that you have a infection. A white blood cell count will confirm it. I recovered beautifully from my broken wrist and I hope you will too Link to post Share on other sites
Author D78 Posted January 25, 2011 Author Share Posted January 25, 2011 I'm definitely going to get it checked. I'm not messing around with an infection! I think I found a better doc and will call his office tomorrow. I appreciate your advice! Link to post Share on other sites
Crusoe Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 No I'm not sure of anything. I wonder if a bone infection would show up in an xray? In it's early stages an infection won't show up in an xray. I woudn't worry too much, it is rare, but worth being aware of. Link to post Share on other sites
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