Broken Pinky Finger - Post Surgery Stiffness

[imq]

I had surgery done on my broken pinky finger on January 1, 2008, which I broke while playing football, and I was in the cast for 6 weeks after that. After the cast came out, the doctor told me to go to therapy for 6 weeks/ 2 times a week to get rid of the stiffness in the finger. Now it is May 5th, 2008 and I have 2 more weeks of therapy left but still the finger is a little stiff. I can bend it but not fully and in terms of going back up it doesn't move at all.

The therapist has told me that doctor's could do another surgery to loosen up the tendons but I will wait to ask a doctor until my therapy is done.

The questions that I had is:

1) What are the chances that I can still gain full momentum in my pinky finger?
2) If I am not able to get the stiffness out, can anyone tell about the surgery the therapist was talking about?

Greatly appreciate your help.

Thanks

[LouiseDoh]

Quick update on my previous posts - I had my second surgery yesterday (12/7) to resease the tendons. My hand surgeon said it went well, I'm bandaged up just now (size of a boxing glove) but can slightly wiggle my fingers. I have the dressing reduced in size on Monday morning (16/7) and then straight to physio. I'll keep you updated on my progress, really hoping I'll be able to get increased movement back over the next week.

[canucklehead07]

Bad news you guys...

I just got home from my post-op follow up (2 K-wire surgery was on July 4th -- see above post), and the doc wasn't happy with the surgery. The K-wires didn't set the bones in the right place. He said that I will be stiff forever especially since my injury was so near the PIP joint if I don't get the second surgery done.
So I will be having a second operation one to two weeks from now. This time they'll be slicing me open and putting metal plates in.
This blows :(

Thoughts?

[Colnago_Rider]

You need to ask how long you have to be casted. I wish you DIP was exposed so you could flex the pinky there. I was splinted for 6 weeks and it ruined my pinky as the tendons all scarred down. 2 surgeries later and had tendon rupture.

I'm surprised you got casted with Kwire- normally k-wire allows for quick retrun to some passive ROM. A well known surgeon had told me after my troubles that he would have used K wire and had me moving the pinky withing a day or two.

Be very careful with extended casting. If you've read anything here, you know what to look out for.

[canucklehead07]

Hi guys! I'm so happy I came across this forum. I've read every single post here since the first one. Here's my pinky timeline...

June 28th/12 - Flew over my bicycle's handlebars going downhill. Got admitted to the ER. Received first set of X-Rays. My left 5th proximal phalanx (pinky) was fractured in two places (laterally & 90deg upwards -- basically, a piece of the proximal phalanx was floating).
Under local anaesthetics, the plastics surgeon (hand specialist) did a reduction on my pinky to set it back into place. Took a 2nd set of X-Rays. Docs said they did a good job of reducing it, but surgery was still recommended.
Put a cast around my fingers/hand/forearm (only thumb was freed) and wrapped in bandages.

July 4th/12 - Had my surgery. Hand surgeon drilled two K-wires (oblique & parallel) into my finger.
Formed my hand into a cup-like position and made a cast for the ulnar side of my pinky and palm side of my fingers/hand/forearm. Back of my hand side is exposed (not protected w/ a cast). Middle, ring, pinky fingers, and rest of hand/forearm wrapped with post-op dressings (with enough wiggle room); thumb and index finger freed.

July 5th/12 to present - Been trying to wiggle and bend my middle & ring fingers as much as possible (not injured, but under wraps). Also trying to passively & actively abduct & adduct my pinky against the cast & wrapping, as well as trying to move the DIP. Though not sure I should be doing these movements...?

I will have my post-op follow up with the hand surgeon on July 12th/12 (8 days post-op).
What questions should I be asking the doc? I really want to start rehab asap and get back into sports (volleyball, basketball, swimming, kayaking) again sooner than later.

Were the docs doing the right thing so far?
Have I been doing the right thing by trying to move my pinky in its cast or am I just aggravating my injury and prolonging recovery?
Is there anything else I can do in the meantime before my follow up appointment?

I'm an optimistic person and a fighter. So I believe I can recover quickly... It just ***** not being able to play the sports you love... especially in the summer! :(

I'll update you guys with my progress and I look forward to all your responses. Y'all rock :)

[Knightrain06]

Broken pinky just below knuckel. Therapy starts in 2 days. Pinky and finger that was casted with it very stiff. Will update

[LouiseDoh]

Thanks Brendon, i've booked the second surgery for 12th of July so was good to read about your experience for the 2 weeks afterwards, sounds very painful but worth it. Hope I can be as brave with mine!