why would a doctor say..?

i broke my wrist and had surgery on it friday. i am going for a cast on tuesday but the doc told me after my surgery that i cant use my arm for 6 weeks. so i understand that i cant use it now, because i am in a sling and splint, but why after i get the cast wont i be able to write? or drive? shouldnt the cast hold it in place enough that i can semi use it?
Answer:
Although the cast will hold it in place, I think it might be a good idea to try to keep it as stabilized as possible, to help the healing process.Or it might be that he said it because it is pretty difficult to try to have full function of your arm with the cast on. It's a hard plaster covering-- your range of motion is pretty limited. I'm not sure if driving is a good idea, because you won't have very good control of your car. I'm not a doctor, so ask him if you're not sure!

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Because with surgery you have other issues beside the break now. How much tissue and muscle did he have to cut into, Were the tendons effected. There could be many reasons you can use your wrist cast and all after surgery.. Good luck to you and hope you heal quickly with the least amount of pain.

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well the doctors looking out for you he probably thinks that your wrist can move enough in the cast that it can break again!!you probably shouldnt even be wrighting!!

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The cast is put to keep your arm in toyal rest position so that bone can heal in its orignal position.Without cast you will start using it and bone will not come to its orignal postion.

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The reason they don't want you to use it...even a little.., is because the muscles are actually attached TO the bone. And if you use those muscles you will be subtly pulling on that bone in ways that you aren't even aware of. And in pulling on the bone it will not mesh properly and will prevent it from healing as fast as it could. Sorry but if you want to heal the right way then just DON'T use that arm or hand at all. At least not until he tells you. It's just for a few weeks. You can deal.

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Pain would be a good reason to avoid those things. The bones will be held in place, but all the soft tissue will be traumatized after the surgery.

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The reason that you are waiting to get a cast is so the swelling can go down and the cast will fit. You shouldn't put any excess weight on that arm until after your checkup...post cast. Some people heal quicker then others but you don't want to jeopardize a second surgery by doing too much.

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