Q. Wrist protection
for gates
Q. We have a 15 years old kid who does snowboard alpine racing. 10 days
ago, he broke the end of his forearm bone ( at the wrist level ) when he hit
the gate with his arm. We are looking for the best protection possible,
other than his cast that he is now wearing.
The protection we are looking on is for banging his wrist against gate, not
for overflexing the wrist.
Jean B., Quebec
A. Bonjour Jean,
This is what my friend Jean Sapula, the physical
therapist, says about your son's injury and protection:
Lauren
I'm not sure where this lady's son has an old fracture....it sounds like
it's in one of the carpal bones, a.k.a. the triquetral, pisiform, lunate,
hamate, etc....there isn't much on the market that protects the carpal bones
against a fall. If it were one of my skiers, I'd fashion a custom
splint out of orthoplast (a moldable plastic, when heated, which hardens
when cooled) to her son's hand and wrist. This is form-fitted and would
easily fit into a glove. The only thing her son may sacrifice is some grip
control on his pole...Even though the splinting material is rigid, the brace
can be fashioned to allow full finger movement.
In my occupation, we do this work all the time for athletes. She may be
able to contact a physical therapist, occupational therapist or athletic
trainer to make this for her son. It's the kind of thing that may not be
covered by insurance. A sheet of this material, enough to make one brace,
runs about $50. I'm sure there is a fitting cost. It still beats
re-injuring the wrist/hand. The other person to contact is an orthotist...they
usually do complicated brace too....
I hope this helps....
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