Typically Why Does Swelling Remain 8+wks Post FX

Is it normal for swelling to remain in the fingers and hand, 8wks post fx of the radius? The radius had 3 small fractures - clean not requiring surgery. The cast was removed 2 weeks ago.

Have been doing OT/PT hand therapy and keeping elevated.

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Typically Why Does Swelling Remain 8+wks Post FX

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Aug 08, 2008
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Swelling...
by: Bart - SII

The way your body deals with swelling is dependent on several things - one of the most important is the ability of the lymphatic system to remove fluid faster than your body produces it.

Because you were immobilized for several weeks, your body lost some of its ability to remove fluid because of the immobilization. The lymph system is a primarily passive system, so immobilization really slows it down.

Now that the cast is off, your body is probably producing some fluid as it gets used to moving again and new stresses on the tissues - so you get increases in swelling with activities.

After time, it should all return to normal, but that can take a few weeks. If the swelling is causing pain or problems with your activities, you might talk to your physician about an anti-inflammatory medication which may help jump start the absorption process.

Hope this helps - comment back with other questions.