Help. i broke my wrist 48hrs ago roller skating. i'm in early 40's am i too old to roller skate?

Question

i got cast with no need for surgery. broken wrist care info from er was basic & generic but not great & office that put cast on didnt send any printed info home on how to care for broken wrist. they just gave appt date for next thurs.
it been 14 yrs since i skated last & i'm not sure i'm getting on skates again maybe if i wear expensive wrist guards. i dont like the modern skate music much anyhow its ok but different.
by the way the percoset & ibuprophen are doing much for pain & i can barely feel the ice through cast when i apply ice fro 15min.
are there any natural anti inflammatories / pain killers to reduce swelling?
i'd try searching myself it would take forever with 1 finger besides computer posture aint best for broken wrist right now. lol.

Answer 1

Motrin is the best thing to take right now to help with the inflammation. The Percoset is the pain reliever, in this particular case. You will eventually reach a point where the Motrin will do the job, but at the moment you mostly need it to keep things calm in your wrist. There's no point to putting ice on your cast, really. You can't get the cold through the thickness of it, as you already discovered. You could put it on your fingertips, but it won't have a lot of effect on the poor wrist- just your fingers and hand. If you elevate the lower arm, you will do just as much good, using gravity to help pull some of the extra fluid back down out of it. I don't think you are too old to skate, though perhaps a bit old to fall down! Seriously, if you can recall your old skating days, it's always preferable to land on the buttocal area than the arms. We are much better padded there for the fall. I happen to be around your age myself and I still skate with my kids. I by no means consider myself too old, nor am I ready for the rocker just yet. When you return to the skates, just take it slow until all those muscles remember how to coordinate things. And of course, you and I are not exactly spring chickens now, so we do have to take it slower a little. There aren't any "natural" anti-inflammatorys or pain killers that you would find truly effective. Aspirin did originally come from willow bark, but it's really nasty tasting tea and the dosage is hard to gauge. The other most natural pain reliever is opium, illegal and addicting to boot. So just elevate your arm and give it a few days. The swelling ordinarily comes down in a few days and the cast will loosen up. Between now and then, get yourself some talcum powder- because before that cast comes off, it's going to ITCH something fierce. My commiserations on the fracture, and a hope you don't give up the skating. It's good exercise. And if us oldies don't keep skating, who is really going to show these young things how to truly dance in skates? Just remember next time you start to go down, swing those buns out to take the blow and keep your arms out of the way.

Answer 2

The pain will subside in a few days. You just have to bear with it, and take the meds. Ice helps to reduce the swelling as well as the meds. Keep the wrist elevated above your heart to help the blood supply, and avoid it from throbbing. That is real annoying. I dont know about natural anti inflammatories or pain killers. The Percoset and IB wont hurt for a week or two. By then you should be used to the pain and can avoid the Percoset. May still need the IB. You will know better than us on that one. If you set your keyboard on your lap, it will be easier to use. Can't say much for the mouse, unless you use a board across your lap and just do some rearranging, it can work. But keeping the wrist elevated is really the best. I would avoid the computer for long periods of time...maybe 15 min intervals. Then rest for 30min. I certainly don't think you should quit skating...just be more aware, and be more careful. No showing off for the girlies........LOL

Answer 3

No you're never too old to do any sports to stay in shape. As staying active helps keep your body and mind in shape and alert.
You may want to elevate your arm on pillows at the end of your day, or if if swells up or hurt too much. As it can help decrease the swelling or inflammation.
I gave you a link here that has a link of sites to go to , to get information about inflammation and pain.
Don't push yourself too much while you are healing. and make sure you exercise it some once you are healed to gain strength in it again.
Yes wrist guards are a great idea, even though they may be expensive they are cheaper in the long run and prevents a lot of pain. Helmets are also a good idea if you're falling a lot
I'm in my 40's also and refuse to give up walking, hiking or rollerblading, as if I do then I'll get lazy and lose interest in things I love to do now.
If you must use you arm or hand for typing here then rest it on a pillow to help keep it as still and even as possible.
I hope you feel better soon, and NEVER give up on having fun or trying to do things you once enjoyed.

Answer 4

You are not too old to skate, but old enough to invest in wrist and knee guards. I am 49, and I refuse to stop having fun!

Answer 5

You're not too old to skate. I suspect that you're maybe too out of shape. I'm older than you and I rollerblade at high speeds down parking garage ramps with my 22 year-old daughter.

Answer 6

NO!!!!!!!!!! Anyone can break there wrist rollerskating. You should just wait awhile, until you get back on your feet, and then just skate and see what happens!

Answer 7

Did your Dr tell you to take anti-inflammitories? When my son broke his leg he was told NOT to take them, as anti-inflammitories have been proven to slow bone healing.

Answer 8

Never too old to do anything you wont....

SKATE ON!!!

Answer 9

If you enjoy it, you should keep doing it.