Progress? I think so.
On September 8th, my cast came off and I graduated to a brace...
...which the orthopedist told me I could wear as much or as little as I wanted except that I had to wear it to bed. To my surprise, I wasn't the least bit uncomfortable or nervous without the brace and immediately stopped wearing it except as directed and when walking outside. I was and am afraid of falling again and want the break protected if I do.
Five days later, on September 8th, my cat Razor sunk a claw into the pad of my thumb, right above the break. The wound was a deep, jagged puncture wound, and puncture wounds heal slowly. I had my first hand therapy session two days later, on September 10th, but at that point the only therapy Jennifer could prescribe were two exercises to increase the flexibility in the wrist.
I had my second session of hand therapy Wednesday, September 30th, and it really rocked me. My wound has healed. It's completely closed and not tender to the touch. Consequently, on Tuesday Jennifer was able to test my hand for strength for squeezing and for pinching. The tests took the better part of an hour, and they both tired my hand and left it tender.
Afterwards, Jennifer gave me a Play-Doh-like material and four exercises to do with it. She said she didn't really think she needed to see me again, that I'm doing well. Nevertheless, afterwards I felt steam-rollered. I took a (mild) pain pill, turned on Project Runway, and took a nap...which is unusual for me. Not sure why I reacted so strongly...perhaps because I realized I do have a way to go.
I am only to do the exercises once a day, and the most reps I do for any of them is ten. I only do three reps of one of the exercises. Jennifer warned me not to exceed the instructions; I could possibly give myself tendonitis if I do. She said that the muscles in a hard are small; "Some," she said, "are tiny," and it is important not to strain them. I said, "After this session, I'm not planning on doing them today." She agreed and said that any day where I've been using my hand vigorously, I should skip the exercises.
I did them today, and although it didn't feel like I did much, my hand is tender again. This time I'm not surprised or upset, and did not need to nap while watching Project Runway. Progress! FanSee
...which the orthopedist told me I could wear as much or as little as I wanted except that I had to wear it to bed. To my surprise, I wasn't the least bit uncomfortable or nervous without the brace and immediately stopped wearing it except as directed and when walking outside. I was and am afraid of falling again and want the break protected if I do.
Five days later, on September 8th, my cat Razor sunk a claw into the pad of my thumb, right above the break. The wound was a deep, jagged puncture wound, and puncture wounds heal slowly. I had my first hand therapy session two days later, on September 10th, but at that point the only therapy Jennifer could prescribe were two exercises to increase the flexibility in the wrist.
I had my second session of hand therapy Wednesday, September 30th, and it really rocked me. My wound has healed. It's completely closed and not tender to the touch. Consequently, on Tuesday Jennifer was able to test my hand for strength for squeezing and for pinching. The tests took the better part of an hour, and they both tired my hand and left it tender.
Afterwards, Jennifer gave me a Play-Doh-like material and four exercises to do with it. She said she didn't really think she needed to see me again, that I'm doing well. Nevertheless, afterwards I felt steam-rollered. I took a (mild) pain pill, turned on Project Runway, and took a nap...which is unusual for me. Not sure why I reacted so strongly...perhaps because I realized I do have a way to go.
I am only to do the exercises once a day, and the most reps I do for any of them is ten. I only do three reps of one of the exercises. Jennifer warned me not to exceed the instructions; I could possibly give myself tendonitis if I do. She said that the muscles in a hard are small; "Some," she said, "are tiny," and it is important not to strain them. I said, "After this session, I'm not planning on doing them today." She agreed and said that any day where I've been using my hand vigorously, I should skip the exercises.
I did them today, and although it didn't feel like I did much, my hand is tender again. This time I'm not surprised or upset, and did not need to nap while watching Project Runway. Progress! FanSee