hi just fractured my scaphoid...really painful..i punched a bag (no bindings or gloves)and my wrist just snapped back ..ouch! my wrists are so thin i have a child's splint on it now..questions..
how do i avoid this happening again?
will i be able to break things when i advance in kung fu?
when can i train again?
will i get full mobility back for forms etc?
anyone else over 40 done this and how did you deal with it?
I'm using comfrey ointment and ginger oil and resting.
also got tendonitis in foot so a bit immobile right now lol! i won't quit tho
the rest is driving me crazy so any tips on how not to lose my temper til i can train again also welcome.
cheers M

Awww.
I feel for you Minerva.
All the best with the recovery.
Somebody brainier than me will no doubt be along with some good advice for you.
Kung Fu is for breaking people other than yourself you know.

Firstly I'd say don't train hitting things without support or mits. Not until you've condtioned your wrists more and learnt the correct striking methods.

As for healing as Wu Ming she is good with all that stuff but I would say rest it up for a week or so not doing anything much. Massage and lightly rotate 2-3 times a day for bout 5 mins.

Gradualy increase the exercise in week 2, squeeze a tennis balls for a few mins 2-3 times a day or someone has suggested before use putty...

Be aware of the pain and cater to it. Try not to get frustrated and force things to move quickly...
Focus your mind to repairing things internally and visualise it happening quickly.

I'm sure a few herbs and suppliments will help but I don't know names sorry again ask wu ming but i'm sure she'll post anyway

I'd say wrist your look at bout 3 weeks as a minimum but still take it easy on it.

Read books while you rest and expand your minds knowledge on your art... watch videos... meditate

thanks they say laughter is the best medicine..x

i am using reiki one myself too..so i guess patience is what i need

Hi there

Reiki for a broken bone? I'm a huge reiki skeptic. Better to rest it!

Minerva wrote:
i am using reiki one myself too..so i guess patience is what i need

I suggest you use something that will actually work, rather than wishful thinking.

take anti-inflammatories for the pain/swelling, and see a doctor!
are you sure it's fractured (ie did you get it x-rayed?).

Rememeber:
RICE!!

Bones will take about 4weeks to heal, so be patient.

Sorry to hear about the break.

As Tartovski says, first see a doctor (if you haven't already), see to the pain medication and anti-inflammatories and as Su Lin says, REST.

THEN there's a hell of a lot you can do to make sure you get the best possible result for you.

Thanks Ryusui_Ryu - very kind of you!

Minerva, if you've seen a doctor, can you tell me any more about the break (i.e., how/where the scaphoid is broken)? I cannot replace medical knowledge, or seeing a suitably qualified practitioner, but I am happy to provide you with information about other options, to the best I can via a forum or PM.

The way the scaphoid broke makes a huge difference to the way it repairs.

Yes, as everyone has said, rest it and don't hit anything. It will take about 6 weeks to heal. If you can locate a Chinese pharmacy or an acupuncturist or herbalist, ask about Tieh Ta Wan pills as they're very good for healing broken bones and torn muscles.

Once it heals it will be strong again and you needn't worry about using it in training. Just go easy for a couple of months until it's fully healed and then build up strength again.

thank you for the replies. i have been to hospital and seen a doctor etc and am taking paracetamol and using feldene gel for pain and swelling. I can't take other painkillers or anti-inflamatories as I'm allergic to them. Luckily i have a high pain threshold and know how to use my mind to control the pain. the reiki is also helping the injury to heal very fast. it does work for me and i treat others with good results on minor injuries and emotional blocks. So the doctor is surprised to see three weeks healing after only one week. Also ginger oil and all the tai chi i do is helping.
The break is horizontal below the thumb and has set ok it would seem. i now have bruising on the wrist and back of my hand but my fingers are no longer swollen and i can wiggle them easily again. It will take time but i'm shcoked it happened in the first place. Will have to get my wrists stronger and I'm going to be nervous about punching.

Good going Minerva! Just shows you can augment conventional treatment to good effect.

A break nearer the thumb is easier to heal because it has better blood supply.

You may need to be careful with it for a while, naturally building up the strength; be mindful how you pick things up, push, pull and hold things.

The wrist mobility may be temporarily slightly impaired, depending how long you have to immobilise it - but sounds like you're making rapid progress.

If you're not allergic to plant groups, then herbal support is possible:

Arnica is brilliant - for bruising and sprains - aching muscles, etc., apply topically. I wouldn't be without it.

Comfrey is also another good herb for topical application for aching muscles - one of its older names is knitbone.

The ginger oil etc., is brilliant for increasing blood supply and helping the healing process.

Healthy eating - I'm guessing you eat a balanced diet - partly evidenced by your rapid bone healing - as nutrition plays an important part, foods that can be included to nourish bones:
fish like sardines, salmon, and oysters, milk, cheese, and yogurt, spinach, bok choy, kale, broccoli, seaweeds like hijiki and wakame, nuts and seeds, sesame seeds, almonds, and green tea.

BTW, I too have wrists like a child's - I've been encouraged to work on the strength of my hands, arms and shoulders.

Hope this helps? Just ask if you'd like any more info.

thanks Wu ming..i have got some arnica cream and witch hazel and will use that and i love green tea so that's good..i'll look at my diet too as i don't always eat properly..i sometimes get too busy and forget to eat.. so now i'm focussed and resting I've no excuse. you won't believe this but i'm also recovering from tendonistis of the achilles..so i've just had a 'run' of bad luck i think! i broke a toe and a finger earlier this year too..hope i've had my lot for a while but i'm going to get a bone density test just to be sure.
i will have to get some exercises going once i'm healed..if you have any to reccommend that would be helpful. i don't see why thin can't be strong. good wishes to you