What Do Tears In Arm Post Physical Therapy Indicate?

Posted on Thu, 19 Mar 2015

Question: Daughter 14 years old fell on October 26, 2014 on outstretched arm had a growth plate fracture. Was in a cast for 6 weeks. Followed up with physical therapy for 3 weeks. Last week it became very painful in her wrist. She can not bend it or pick anything up and it throbs.

Orthopedic ordered MRI and got the results today. (See Report) According to the MRI there are tears. Are the tears from the fall or could they be from the therapy? Wouldn't they have healed by now? I am not understanding the results and what the treatment would be based on the findings of the MRI at this point. Would she have to go back in to a cast again for it to try and heal on it's own or would she need surgery for this?

Thank you for your time....

Answered by Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Physiotherapy and exercises are key for recovery now

Detailed Answer:
Hello

I have read your query and MRI report,

She is age 14 so she has good chance of healing of wrist ligament in natural way.

Physiotherapy and exercises are key for recovery now after 6 weeks of cast.

Medications which help in ligament healing like tendocare, vit c and vit D will help in early healing.

In future after 6 months we can think of arthroscopic surgery if symptoms persist.

Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.

Wishing you good health.

Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (6 minutes later)

Do you think these tears are from the fall in October and they just have not healed? Or do you think this is new injury? It just seems like a long time 4 months and it wouldn't be healed yet.

Answered by Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
This can be old injury of October which has not healed.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I have studied your case.

This can be old injury of October which has not healed.

There should be significant trauma to occur such injury ,which I think was in October only.
Joint ligament injury takes long time to heal.

Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.
If you find this answer helpful do not hesitate to rate this answer at end of discussion.
Take care.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar