Medical advice

[BaNZ]

Where's the best place to get medical? Of course some random forums online!

I've been to hospital and seen a bone specialist, had some X-ray taken of my wrist and ankle. But they can't see anything wrong. I even had acupuncture that stuck needles in me. Went to some chinese chiropractor and they said my wrist is screwed because I've worn out all the protective bits around it. I didn't really believe it because all he did was twist my wrist around. Then he said my ankle just need time to heal, like 1 year without any surfing. I was like no way.....

Wrist- I think I injured it during skiing. I fell off and was sliding down the cliff, I tried to dig my fingers and grab into the ground to slow myself down and slide for probably 50 metres. I think it only started to hurt about a week later. I felt nothing for that whole time. Or it could be just RSI from too much time spent on computers.

Ankle- When I was learning white wash, my foot got stuck in between the rocks and a wave wiped me out. Then the leash also yanked my ankle really hard. Both of these injuries was sustained 2 years ago and I've yet to recover so I feel like I'm stuck with it for the rest of my life. I've no other injuries.

Haven't done any exercise for the past 2 months, yesterday I decided to hit the pool as my surfing holiday is coming up soon. Within about 20 minutes of swimming, my ankle and wrist started to hurt again Even now while i'm typing this, it is hurting.

So the photos, is the bit where it hurts!

[dtc]

Jaffa can probably give you the technical, and I highlight that I'm not a doctor and the following is based purely on my long history of injuries rather than any actual knowledge ...

If you have injured ligaments they can take a long time to fully heal, because they have no/limited blood supply. All joints have ligaments, so wrist and ankle definitely. Blood takes around all the good things that fix us up (why a cut or muscle tear will heal, for example). But ligaments don't have much blood supply and so can take months to heal - very slowly and can be fairly easily re-injured during that time. I have ankle injuries (soccer) that lasted 6months+ and still give me grief at times; I'm still nursing a knee ligament injury from 18 months ago (well, its still slightly painful but apart from not being able to sprint, its not debilitating - but it still makes itself noticed whenever I do anything by twinging). Anyway, the lack of blood is what I have been told is the reason for the long recovery period. Heat will encourage blood, so heat packs (maybe mixed with ice packs - I think Jaffa mentioned this once?)

My understanding is that MRIs, rather than X-rays, are the things to use to look at ligament damage. X rays only look at bones - your bones are fine.

But this is random guessing as to your injury. Pain is not normal, so something is wrong. The issue is getting it diagnosed properly, then you will know what treatment is needed.

My suggestion is to start with a physiotherapist, preferably one who specialises in sports injuries (most say they do because sports people are frequent patients! But some will be better than others, if you can figure it out eg ones with links with sporting teams or sporting associations). Ask about an MRI if the physio doesn't suggest it - it may not be necessary.

My other tip is that spending money on good care early, even though I HATE spending money on my broken body, is much better than spending an additional several months in pain or 'disabled'. When you are ancient like me, its even more vital. Now if only I could listen to my own advice, I would be much happier...

[jaffa1949]

Jaffa's thoughts on this !
First and foremost get a proper diagnosis, anything else is guesswork , including what I am suggesting without examining you!!!!
Information leading up to my best guess, X Rays do not show ligament damage, Doctors will not order CT or MRI scans unless there is a clear clinical reason . If there was nothing wrong in the XRay there no bony trauma although a very small fracture can be easily missed.
The Chinese Chiropractor( was he really a chiropractor ?) performed the movement tests that could check the ligaments of the wrist particularly the tendon sheath and the interrosseous ligament? One treatment will not fix it if it is those, computer work irritates those areas, RSI issues.
The picture shows you are suffering from coin on the wrist,,you will,have to,apply a large wad of banknotes on this to achieve some relief.

Seriously I suggest going to a sports medicine doctor or chiropractor who works with tennis players.
You may need to,modify your computer work area to allow less positional stress in your work. Be advised by the doctor!
There may be some alignment adjustments between the radius and the ulna bone which might relieve some of the irritation ( bear in mind I have not really got my hands on you to thoroughly check it out)
Without treatment notoriously hard to relieve especially with you field of work!
Now your ankle,,the problem there is nothing to do with the wrist EXCEPT, it is connected to the same body , you!
Get that diagnosed too I suspect ligament damage there too!
What to do. Get the diagnosis, find a good physiotherapist who genuinely specialises in sports medicine, preferably referred to by the sports medicine doctor.
Get the correct rehabilitation exercises
Do them as prescribed
Learn the correct strapping if needed
Get a program of exercises that balances all muscle groups around the joint
Do them
One treatment of anything will not solve these problems
Do the full course of treatment recommended to you.
Support the healing process with acupuncture and perhaps Chinese Liniment and medical prescribed antinflammatories talk to your doctor re their interaction and any possible allergic responses you might have.
A Chinese liniment I suggest is Zheng Gu Shui whether it is available in England. I don't know!
You can use hot and cold packs bot only after you have consulted with the doctor( incorrect use will cause damage).

Now some good news, some ligamentous tears of either injury can be palpated (felt) and be physically worked upon!
Which ones yours are
Feel free to talk it over further , but as I said before guesswork without getting my hands on your injuries!

Good luck

[BaNZ]

The picture shows you are suffering from coin on the wrist,,you will,have to,apply a large wad of banknotes on this to achieve some relief.

Thanks, I really cracked up there.

The problem with public health care in Taiwan and UK is that the doctors are too busy. I've seen no less than half a dozen of them. One said I look perfectly young and healthy. There are more patients with more serious injuries than this and I should be grateful. It is also because of their diagnosis, my injuries got worse!

Since I got back to UK, I haven't surf much in the last year or so. I thought my injuries would've healed by now. But I guess it is time to spend some money and get proper treatment and not rely on public health care.....