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Valued Contributor
Posts: 631
Registered: ‎03-15-2010

Anyone had a sugar-tong splint?

I fell on Saturday and injured my wrist. They think I broke it but won't know for sure until the swelling goes down and they can re-do x-rays. In the meantime, I'm in a fiberglass sugar-tong splint and it's driving me nuts. Even with a sling, it's like carrying around a heavy log. And, of course, an itch has started a couple times. I've been able to distract myself so far as there's no way to get to it with the elbow bent. Any coping tips would be greatly appreciated.
Honored Contributor
Posts: 14,812
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Anyone had a sugar-tong splint?

Is it possible to itch it with a chopstick or something?

It sounds awful!😬

"If you walk the footsteps of a stranger, you'll learn things you never knew. Can you sing with all the voices of the mountains? can you paint with all the colors of the wind?"
Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,302
Registered: ‎12-14-2018

Re: Anyone had a sugar-tong splint?

All I can tell you is “bless your heart”.  

Buckle up, it might be a bumpy ride.  

My limited personal experiences are to follow your doctors advice and be patient. Be very careful - complications can make your recovery soooo much worse.

I’m sure you’re using cold packs for swelling - helps with pain and bruising.  Prop up carefully with an extra soft pillow or one of those “spongey” things the hospital provides so you can rest.

Good luck and I sincerely hope you’ll feel better soon!

Valued Contributor
Posts: 631
Registered: ‎03-15-2010

Re: Anyone had a sugar-tong splint?

Thank you both for your replies and well wishes. Yes, it is awful. I wouldn't recommend it. LOL. My arm is bent and the splint is L-shaped around and above the elbow so no hope of sliding anything along the skin. If my wrist is broken, this thing will make the short cast seem like a picnic. Not sure how we'll know when the swelling is down.
Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,614
Registered: ‎06-19-2010

Re: Anyone had a sugar-tong splint?

[ Edited ]

I broke my wrist in two places back in February and had one of those splints  put on in the ER until I saw the doctor who suggested surgery. He took the original one off and replaced it with a smaller one which helped but it still itched and was pretty painful.  I didn’t get much sleep during that time because it was hard to get comfortable like you said with a log around my arm. I had surgery about 10 days later where I got a removable brace for about 6 weeks. That was ok because I could put lotion on, take it off and stretch my fingers and bend my wrist a bit.  All I can say it was miserable. I managed to get my finger under the splint around the itches but it drove me nuts. I had surgery and was in quite a bit of pain for quite a while. Even to this day 6 months later my fingers are still stiff and if I try to do to much lifting my wrist will ache. 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 17,739
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Anyone had a sugar-tong splint?

Could you try something like Talcum powder, it might sooth the itch? Particularly like ammens medicated powder..That smells so pretty like jergen's hand cream

Valued Contributor
Posts: 631
Registered: ‎03-15-2010

Re: Anyone had a sugar-tong splint?

@Meowingkitty it sounds like you had a miserable break.  So sorry.  My doctor was not sure if seeing an old injury or arthritis, or a new break on the initial x-ray,  If a new break, thinking that a short cast will be sufficient rather than surgery,

 

@cherry there's no easy access point with this beast unfortunately.