Broken Bone - Pin Strength

[JimmyBones]

Im getting an operation to put a pin in my hand (scaphoid) because it didnt heal since I broke it in an awkward place.

My brothers telling me I'll never be able to punch a punching bag again once I get the pin in it. He says if I do Muay Thai I'll **** my hand up for the rest of my life.

Id be inclined to think thats bullshit. The doctor my hand will be just as strong as it was in the first place only it will be stiffer. Does anybody here know if having a pin in your hand will prevent you from punching things for the rest of your life?

[Maryst]

Would it do any harm to leave the pin in?

[Melymelster]

I broke my 5th metacarpal and it was not healing on it's own so the doctor suggested surgery to implant a pin. The pin was left below the skin and healed over. Yesterday the doctor made an attempt to remove the pin in the office without success. He now tells me I need a second surgery to remove the pin and there is no guarantee he will be able to get it out.  He said there is the risk of re-braking the finger or braking the pin. I am so frustrated! This was not part of the plan. When putting the pin in, it was suppose to be an easy process to remove it.
Now I need to decide whether to leave the Stainless Steel pin in for life (it was intended to be a temporary pin) or have a risky surgery!!

[rosesnthsno]

how do the drs remove a pin from the hand

[Jimbones]

By the way did you get a metal pin put in? If not that might have been the reason it took so long before you could do pushups. The scaphoids a bad place to break because its so awkward to heal so I hear. I have an operation tomorrow morning to get the pin put in then have a bone graft (whatever that is. They say I'll be in the cast another 6 weeks after that. Hopefully it will heal quickly with the pin.

[Jimbones]

I only get pain when I use my hand too much in certain ways. Pushups seem to be the worst thing I can do with the hand. If I pull my thumb away from my hand it hurts. Other than that it never hurts.

I was doing Muay Thai for a while with the broken hand and although I wasnt doing any pushups I messed my hand up a little worse from punching the bags. It took ages though. What really messed my hand up was hammering blocks of wood when I was building a balcony at work. The vibrations of the hammer and the handle of the hammer pushing my thumb away from my hand really messed it up. I was stupid to use my broken hand for that.

I dont know what the doctors said in your case but 5 months after the accident after about 3 months altogether in the cast the doctor looked at the x-ray and decided it wasnt going to heal by itself since it didnt heal fully after all that time. Thats why I need the pin. I havent used my hand at all for the past month and although it never hurts unless I use it a certain way when I pull the thumb away or try to do pushups I feel the pain coming back so theres still a fracture.

The pains exactly where you decribed on the palm side below the thumb above the wrist. If your not sure whether you have another fracture or not get an x-ray. I hope you have medical insurance where you live. I can get an x-ray any time and it doesnt cost me a penny. God I love Canada.

[tri-beginner]

Hi - sorry can't directly answer your question other then i did my scaphoid in in 1989. Took about 2yrs before I could do pressups etc with enough strength in the wrist. So I'd say don't expect to be punching anything right away but get the right physio and rehab and i see no reason why you won't be ok given time!

On another note, I've just done the scaphoid again (3 weeks ago) and am still getting quite a bit of discomfort in my hand (particularly thumb palm side). Did you experience that at all? Don't remember it being this uncomfortable and am wondering if it may end up being similar to you ie non-union and need the pin? Anything you can share will be appreciated!!