It's time to get my broken wrist into rehab.
The hand therapist removes the brace, revealing an object that looks like a prop for a horror movie.
My hand is blocky, swollen, misshapen. It isn't really hand-shaped at all. The site where the plate was inserted is neat and smooth. But the opposite site looks broken and lumpy. There's lots of fluid on the joint.
He massages my wrist with some soothing cream.
Next, he takes hold of my hand and presses it forward from the wrist with a firm pressure. Very firm - ouch! I feel something yield inside the wrist.
I guess this demonstrates that it can be moved without causing damage.
Then he asks me to bend my hand forward and back, measuring the angles I can achieve. There is not much movement.
He shows me the exercises I must do each day - pushing forwards and backwards, and rotating inwards and outwards. Hold each position for ten seconds, and do five repetitions. It should be uncomfortable, he says. Actually, the message I'm getting from him is to find the spot where it hurts, and hold it till you cry.
I have to attend his clinic once a week until...some later time.
Ideally I should do these exercises four times a day, he says. But if I can't manage four, three is OK.
This instruction has the effect he probably intends. It sounds like a dare. Hah! I can do four times a day. What kind of wimp can do only three? I need to get this hand working properly. And how long do I want to keep spending money on physiotherapy and taxis?
I will do what's necessary to zap it, now.
No pain, no gain.
The hand therapist removes the brace, revealing an object that looks like a prop for a horror movie.
My hand is blocky, swollen, misshapen. It isn't really hand-shaped at all. The site where the plate was inserted is neat and smooth. But the opposite site looks broken and lumpy. There's lots of fluid on the joint.
He massages my wrist with some soothing cream.
Next, he takes hold of my hand and presses it forward from the wrist with a firm pressure. Very firm - ouch! I feel something yield inside the wrist.
I guess this demonstrates that it can be moved without causing damage.
Then he asks me to bend my hand forward and back, measuring the angles I can achieve. There is not much movement.
He shows me the exercises I must do each day - pushing forwards and backwards, and rotating inwards and outwards. Hold each position for ten seconds, and do five repetitions. It should be uncomfortable, he says. Actually, the message I'm getting from him is to find the spot where it hurts, and hold it till you cry.
I have to attend his clinic once a week until...some later time.
Ideally I should do these exercises four times a day, he says. But if I can't manage four, three is OK.
This instruction has the effect he probably intends. It sounds like a dare. Hah! I can do four times a day. What kind of wimp can do only three? I need to get this hand working properly. And how long do I want to keep spending money on physiotherapy and taxis?
I will do what's necessary to zap it, now.
No pain, no gain.
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