Even though the bone is ‘clinically’ healed, the X-ray doesn’t show enough calcification yet. Ulna is one of those bones that takes a longer time to heal. I still need to avoid strength training or any heavy loads for at least another two weeks. In the meantime, the priority is to reduce the wrist swelling and regain motion range.
My physio prescribed contrast bath (basically hot/cold immersion therapy) to reduce swelling as the immediate priority since swelling at the joint is one of the causes for the reduced range of motion. Early manipulation of the joints in an attempt to gain range may cause more damage than good.
The contrast bath experience is totally mind boggling. I have talked about how your sensation changes base on your immediate prior experience but this hits home like nothing else. Tap water in Canada is cold but bearable. I took cold showers every so often and I have done Polar Bear swim before – so I am not at all skirmish. However, to immerse my forearm in cold tap water after 3 minutes of hot water was a mind numbing experience – it feels like I am immersing my forearm in a pack of ice and I can’t hold the arm still for a full minute.
Picture of my steel reinforced arm:
Wiki’s explanation of Contrast Bath Therapy
Exercise
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