Any tips on working with a broken hand?

[stay gold jonny]

Yep broke my hand about 5 days ago, finally got to the doctor today and he confirmed what I already new.
I broke it when my foot slipped off the stair tread while I was carrying a box and my right hand "broke" my fall. I broke the metatarsal that is connected to the pinkie finger, landed on the meaty part of the hand. At first it hurt but all fingers moved and after icing it I thought it would be fine. I worked last Friday and the pain wasn't bad at all until I had to write out an invoice (that was very painful) I worked on Monday and the pain was a little better.
So to my question, has anyone else worked with a broken hand that has a cast on it, and if so what did you do to not use the broken hand?
Any info would be extremely helpful!

[ga-hvac-tech]

AS I understand (after 10 broken bones in my life), bones heal when they are immobile... they do not move. Now how does one keep a bone from moving for 6-8 weeks... while they work? Splints, tape, cast... and careful thought to avoid moving the part of the body which will move that bone. Yeah, easier said than done.

I suspect some thought, some experimentation, and some mistakes... and one will figure it out.

[blitz]

you better report that for work incident. workman's comp related issue.

[Moonrunner]

Metatarsal fractures are rough.. Chances are you'll need a cast or at least a brace which will affect your dexterity, possibly creating difficulties with climbing ladders. One thing's for sure if you wanna get back to 100%: Listen to your doc and do exactly as he says even if it involves time off work. It will pay off in the long run. That made the difference between me having full strength and range of motion and the guy before me needing another surgery with getting up to 80% as a best case scenario.

[2sac]

Here's the way I see it. You make a living with your hands. See a doctor and do whatever the hell he tells you to do. I see you're in NW IL. Not sure where that is but I have a great orthopedic doc who is in Chicago and the western suburbs. If your interested send me a PM

[zartangreen]

ames Anthony Abbott (born September 19, 1967) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher, who played despite having been born without a right hand. He played for the California Angels, the New York Yankees, the Chicago White Sox, and the Milwaukee Brewers, from 1989 to 1999.

[Core_d]

Will your boss try and go easy on you?

[stay gold jonny]

you better report that for work incident. workman's comp related issue.

Unfortunately I did this on my own time. I know sucks to be me.

[stay gold jonny]

Metatarsal fractures are rough.. Chances are you'll need a cast or at least a brace which will affect your dexterity, possibly creating difficulties with climbing ladders. One thing's for sure if you wanna get back to 100%: Listen to your doc and do exactly as he says even if it involves time off work. It will pay off in the long run. That made the difference between me having full strength and range of motion and the guy before me needing another surgery with getting up to 80% as a best case scenario.

Yes listening to Doc is priority 1, he said I could work as long as I don't over excerpt my hand. He made a brace for me and its all wrapped up at the moment. It's a b!$@# to work with though.

[stay gold jonny]

Here's the way I see it. You make a living with your hands. See a doctor and do whatever the hell he tells you to do. I see you're in NW IL. Not sure where that is but I have a great orthopedic doc who is in Chicago and the western suburbs. If your interested send me a PM

Thanks 2sac, I've got a great doctor too, he's taken care of my sons broken bones many times and he also handled my wife's shoulder surgery. But I keep ya in mind if something should change!

[stay gold jonny]

Will your boss try and go easy on you?

Well I haven't exactly told my boss or anyone I work with that this happened...kinda dumb on my part I guess. I've only been at this company for 6 months and I really like the place but don't want to be taking a lot of time off if I don't have to.

Currently we are slowing down and they are limiting our hours to around 30-40 per week. Last week I was home for 2 days (that's when I broke my hand) and I was off yesterday.

[Core_d]

Yea with only being there six months and being slow as it is I would find it hard to break the news too.

[KnewYork]

Yea with only being there six months and being slow as it is I would find it hard to break the news too.

I think it would be worse not to tell the boss. What if you try to keep on working and you are unable to do something because of it? Then you tell the boss. Maybe put him in a jam because he was counting on you to complete a job and now he has to pull someone from somewhere else to cover. You just made two headaches for him. I've always gone with "honesty is the best policy".

[stay gold jonny]

I think it would be worse not to tell the boss. What if you try to keep on working and you are unable to do something because of it? Then you tell the boss. Maybe put him in a jam because he was counting on you to complete a job and now he has to pull someone from somewhere else to cover. You just made two headaches for him. I've always gone with "honesty is the best policy".

I do agree with "honesty is the best policy" and I think I'm going to tell my dispatcher, they are the ones who dole out the work, then see what happens.
I worked today with my cast on and had no issues, even pulled out a blower motor and rolled around in a crawl space.

[Core_d]

I think it would be worse not to tell the boss. What if you try to keep on working and you are unable to do something because of it? Then you tell the boss. Maybe put him in a jam because he was counting on you to complete a job and now he has to pull someone from somewhere else to cover. You just made two headaches for him. I've always gone with "honesty is the best policy".

I agree but, it would not be easy.

[jmac00]

Metatarsal fractures.........isn't that a foot injury???

Tarsal fractures are in the hand?


Look, I'm self-employed so if I'm "laid up" for any length of time Im screwed

I cut the tendon on the back of my right hand at the first knuckle. I asked the surgeon to wrap/cast it so that my thumb and index finger could still function, she said "no problem"

She cast my middle, ring and little finger together, leaving the tip of my index finger and thumb free. At least you should be able to hold a wire nut.

Writing for me is no big deal, I can write ( and throw) with either hand

[stay gold jonny]

Metatarsal fractures.........isn't that a foot injury???

Tarsal fractures are in the hand?


Look, I'm self-employed so if I'm "laid up" for any length of time Im screwed

I cut the tendon on the back of my right hand at the first knuckle. I asked the surgeon to wrap/cast it so that my thumb and index finger could still function, she said "no problem"

She cast my middle, ring and little finger together, leaving the tip of my index finger and thumb free. At least you should be able to hold a wire nut.

Writing for me is no big deal, I can write ( and throw) with either hand

Oops metacarpal bone, I can't blame that on pain killers cause I don't take them.
I can't imagine cutting a tendon though. Ouch!
Back in high school I tore all the ligaments in my right foot, man did that hurt, got a full cast and a set of crutches for that deal. Every time I see the movie "Misery" I cringe cause that's what my foot looked like.

[Joehvac25]

Unfortunately I did this on my own time. I know sucks to be me.

You mean you didn't try the slip and fall routine at work the next day lol.

[stay gold jonny]

You mean you didn't try the slip and fall routine at work the next day lol.

All my friends said to do that, but I just can't ...damn morals

[Joehvac25]

All my friends said to do that, but I just can't ...damn morals

Ya I know how you feel, I can't lie worth a sh!t