Kirschner wire

[nelsonic]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirschner_wire 😬

[nelsonic]

On Sunday 24th November I stumbled on the pavement on our street and fell full force on my left thumb. It broke both the Trapezium and Metacarpal and tore the ligaments dislocating the thumb.
It was unbelievably painful. 😥
I drove myself up to hospital, waited patiently in A&E and the x-rays confirmed it was broken and required surgery to set it. 🤦‍♂️
Had to wait 40 hours for an operation slot. ⏳
Had general aesthetic and was out for approx 2 hours. ⏳
During the surgery the doc inserted 2 Kirschner wires or K-wires https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirschner_wire which went into the bone to hold it in-place to help the fracture set. 😳
Spent a further 26h in the hospital recovering and then was discharged and went home. 🏡
The pain was acute. 😢
I took painkillers a few times when it was unbearable. But on the whole I try not take them because I don’t want to numb the pain and hurt myself or get addicted to meds. 💊

Had to go up to the hospital twice a week to have the dressing and bandages refreshed; waiting and more waiting. But the hospital staff were lovely. No complaints.

Today, 23rd December, was my final checkup. 📅
Took new X-rays 🩻 and the orthopaedic surgeon was happy with the healing. 👌
She removed the k-wires with a set of pliers.
And re-dressed the wounds. ✂️

The bones are still healing so I have to wear a brace/splint for the next 2 weeks. But at least I can shower without a plastic bag and wash my hands without fear of wetting a cast. 💦

Overall this has been a deeply unpleasant experience I wouldn’t wish on anyone …
However the hospital/medical staff were all lovely and I learned a lot about how tiny (and large) bones are set when broken. 📖

Will be a lot more careful on dodgy pavements. And will try to remember to do a “judo roll” next time I fall. 🤞🏼

Next checkup on 13th January. 📅

[carolrmc]

What a nasty experience. Very pleased you received expert treatment and that it is on the mend. Wishing you a complete recovery soon.

[nelsonic]

Nasty is a good word. 👌
But the biggest feeling I feel, besides the obvious (pain!), is frustration. 😣
Before I broke my thumb, 👎
I was on a health & fitness streak; doing my morning body weight exercise and doing my best to avoid sugar and other processed foods.
But the pain and sudden inability to do push-ups or jump with my skipping rope triggered my “fight or flight” reflex and unfortunately it’s not a good one. 🤦‍♂️

I know some people that don’t eat when they are stressed … like they actually lose weight when their life isn’t going their way! 🤯
This is a superpower I sadly don’t have but would pay serious money to acquire!! 💰
Annoyingly, I’ve been an “emotional eater” all my life and this past month I’ve put on pounds instead of burning them! 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

so beyond the pain and wasted time of having to go up to the hospital and not being able to work as fast - both on my computer and IRL on our build site - my biggest frustration is the health & fitness setback it has cause as I’ve “eaten my pain” (and exhaustion) away in Pizza and Chocolate (Oatmilk Mocha Latte’s…) 🙃

I need help to not eat or drink stuff that is unhealthy. Empty drink calories are evil!

Have a - I’m sure you’ll agree - good plan for that in the new year: dwyl/home#310 retiring the Nespresso machine!! Simultaneously raising the quality of our coffee @home while lowering the cost and creating a slight effort barrier will mean my consumption of coffee - and more importantly the way more expensive per cup OATMILK - will decrease dramatically!! 🎉
Notice: I’m not preventing our @home guests from enjoying their caffeine fix, on the contrary, I’m giving them a much better experience!! Gourmet single origin roasted beans 🫘 freshly ground to delicious cup of coffee ☕️ 😋 but they have to work for it! I.e. there are more steps than just popping a ridiculously overpriced and resource wasteful capsule in the machine and pressing a button!
There are only 2 more steps on our “Gourmet Machine” but as we know from studying human behaviour those added steps can be enough to completely alter outcomes!! 💭

I know they will for me. 😉
The extra steps to make a coffee will help me be more mindful of the “quick fix” (caffeine) and help me cut the empty calories habit.
Then I just have to become a coffee snob and avoid it at other people’s houses and I’m off to the healthy races! 🎉

method in the madness spending silly money on a machine I/we didn’t need. 😜

But back to the thumb … 👍
Looking forward to being fully healed so I can get back to work in the new year. 👌

[nelsonic]

The mobility/strength of my thumb is non-existent right now due to the K-wires. 😕

Doctor encouraged me to do light range of motion exercise without the brace
but to use the brace for the rest of the day for protection.

So I'm not using the brace/splint while I'm at my computer 👨‍💻
and doing light thumb mobility exercises. 👍

Thumb exercises: https://youtu.be/y5y4PL3yARo

https://youtu.be/AgmrJiiHPb0

[nelsonic]

Doc recommended using putty for @home physiotherapy:
https://www.amazon.es/-/pt/dp/B003YR472S

It was 3x this price at the hospital pharmacy. 💰
AMZN order placed to @carolrmc's house; should arrive Monday. 📦