My Comeback Story: Cheryl W.

In November, newly retired, I was trying to keep up with daily walking and movement. I tripped and fell during a simple walk in my neighborhood, and knew my left arm was in trouble. During the ER visit, I was diagnosed with a pretty severe left distal radius fracture and an ulna fracture and referred to Boulder Centre for Orthopedics & Spine and Dr. Jon Hammarstedt for follow-up. If you want to get fancy, they diagnosed this as an "(1) Acute comminuted impacted intra-articular distal left radius fracture with dorsal angulation and displacement; and (2). Displaced ulnar styloid fracture." We discussed options, and surgery (aka "Open Reduction Internal Fixation, Distal Radius") was the best option I heard. I had a plate and several screws placed to secure the fracture and begin healing. Dr. Hammarstedt and his team were clear about what outcomes I could expect, and the timeline was accurate. I was beginning hand OT with the rehab folks at the BoulderCentre for Orthopedics & Spine, just a couple of weeks post-op, and on the road to recovery. I wanted to be able to use my hiking/ski poles in mid-February, and the team felt certain I could by then, and that was spot-on ... but was told to avoid activities where I might fall, naturally! In addition, I play piano and guitar (and have professionally), and the team made recovery of those activities central to my rehab goals. In fact, I used my practice on the instruments as a form of OT and getting full use of my left hand back, which was initially quite compromised. I am at 8 months post-injury, and there is minimal residual discomfort. I can bear weight, and have enough stretch and flexibility to play both piano and guitar. I use my hiking poles religiously, and there is no pain in my wrist from doing so, even when going up or downhill or stairs. The photo is of me and my spouse recently hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park. Hiking is a favorite activity, and I'm glad to be able to continue as before. My wrist is not exactly as it was pre-injury, but pretty darn close, and I don't expect it to hinder much in my life. I am grateful for the good care I received.