Spiral fractures of 3^rd and 4^th metacarpals

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(This page reads like a diary. For the latest update, please scroll to the bottom.)

Sunday 17 December 2000

I accidentally hit the back of my left hand very hard against the corner of our piano.

The pain was unbearable and my hand misshapen, so I asked my wife to take me to Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital Emergency Department. There it was confirmed by X-ray that I had broken the 3^rd and 4^th metacarpals. A temporary plaster cast was put on.

Monday 18 December 2000

I attended the Fracture Clinic at the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital, where it was determined I would undergo an operation to insert screws to fix the bones in position.

Tuesday 19 December 2000 I had a moulded plastic splint made, which was somewhat more comfortable than the plaster cast one.

Friday 22 December 2000

I went into North Shore Private Hospital and was operated on at 6 p.m. Five screws were used. I now have another plaster cast on and continue to take pain-killing drugs.

Thursday 28 December 2000 The plaster cast came off today, and I could see my hand again for the first time since the operation. I found out that I actually have six screws in my hand. After taking a look at the photographs (taken during the operation) the surgeon decided he could fit another one in. The hand therapist remoulded my plastic splint to fit me better. Here are some photos of the joyous occasion.

I now have a set of exercises to perform 3 times daily. They involve (amongst other things):
making a fist: and flattening my hand out:
This is the best I can manage today.

Saturday 6 January 2001

the scar 2 weeks after surgery making a fist opening the hand
Now that the wound can be exposed and washed (finally!) it seems external scarring will be fairly minimal.
It can also be seen that there has been some improvement in my range of motion in the last 9 days. The improvement is, however, not as great as the hand therapist would like. I still need to wear the plastic splint, I just take it off to perform the exercises.

Tuesday 1 February 2001

These X-Rays were taken 6 weeks after surgery. They show the 6 screws and some bone regrowth. The screws will not be coming out.
X-Ray showing 6 screws in place

Saturday 10 February 2001

This is what my scar looks like today. It is barely still visible! Range of motion is now quite good. I can almost straighten out all my fingers. Making a fist is still not quite possible.

Thursday 30 March 2001

And this is what my scar looks like today. It is even more faint. Range of motion is now excellent. I can almost straighten out all my fingers - about the same as 6 weeks ago, but making a fist has improved.

So, you've broken your hand? What difference does it make? Click here to find out.

All the photos on this page pertaining to events prior to February 2001 were taken with a Logitech (formerly Connectix) QuickCam VC. This camera is not compatible with Microsoft Windows 2000, so now I'm using a 3Com HomeConnect Digital PC Camera. I think you'll agree that its picture quality is superior.

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