Broken hand needing pin/cast

[Eurox]

I broke my right hand about 10 days ago and since being to the hospital ive been told i will need a pin through the broken bone. The doctor said this is just to lessen the chance of arthiritis but it will still heal if i had a cast on it, hes arranged for the surgery on friday but id rather just have the cast and not have to go through the whole procedure. How do i go about explaining this without sounding like ive wasted their time? cheers

[ummmm]

Errrrr if they think you need a pin I would take their advice. You may regret it in years to come.

Although you can refuse the operation. It's your body, you can as you please.

[B00]

To be honest id go along with the pinning if i was you.

I broke my wrist over 2 years ago and I still suffer with it now. It was never pinned, even though the specialist said some weeks later that it should have been (?!) and now it's considerably weaker than my other wrist, clicks alarmingly at times, and when its cold it really aches. I was also advised that this will be my arthritic wrist when im older due to this, so that's something to look forward too!

Honestly, get it done- you'll be better off in the long run, good luck!

[LoftyLottie]

I think any operation holds risks and can understand how you feel, but I really think you should see if you could contact the doctor again and explain how you feel and talk about the pros and the cons of having the operation. It's your body and you have every right to make the decision that is correct for you. I am sure the doctor won't think you are wasting time. Don't have anything done unless you know all the facts and are confident tht you are doing the correct thing.

[LoftyLottie]

I should say that, being an arthritis sufferer and having also had fractures, that I agree with BOO, but I still think you need to talk about it again before Friday to put your mind at rest.

[China Doll]

I would listen to the doctors personally.

However if you're dead set on not having it then I would call the PA now and give them time to maybe offer the slot to someone else as you are currently wasting valuable theatre time that could be used for another patient which really isn't cricket.

[Sqad]

Which bone was broken?..........this is important.

How old are you?

[Eurox]

im 22 and broke my 5th metacarpel in my right hand, towards the bottom. the other reason is that because im out of work and only getting SSP im going to start struggling with payments for stuff and having the op will leave me out for longer

[B00]

Not sure if a wrist break is different to a hand break? but I was told that my wrist would have healed quicker if it had been pinned. As it was I spent 10 weeks in a plastercast.

[Sqad]

OK...broken "towards the bottom" I presume that you mean towards the fingers.

Statistically there is no difference on the outcome whether it is pinned or plastered....return of movement and the incidence of future arthritis is the same in both methods.

Your call..........I'm afraid

[B00]

Really sqad? Whilst im not doubting you, I was told by my specialist that pinning would make the time spent in a plastercast shorter, thus making the recovery afterwards quicker.

[Sqad]

BOO....quite right.....but the statistics are looking, long term............e.g what will happen in 15-20 yrs time....will arthritis set in? will the patient be able to use his digit....in the long term.

I agree that "short term" pinning results in shorter recovery................but it is the long term that causes more concern.

[Greedyfly]

I had to have my ankle pinned etc... about a year ago and although its a hassle I truly believe its worth having done if its suggested, you can suffer alot more in later life not having it done.