question on small fracture and water pressure

[utnapistim]

hi,

I got a pair of inline skates last monday, and this tuesday I managed to get a double fracture in my left hand's smallest finger (comes with the territory).

I know this means staying dry for a while (at least until the cast is off), but for those who had fractures before (and any people with a medical background around here):

How does the water pressure affect the bone mending?
Is there any danger of permanent damage to my hand if the bone is not completely healthy and I dive?

Would the doctor who put my cast be able to tell me that, or should I ask a diving-specialized doctor?

 

[lorien]

Well first I am NOT a doctor and you should really ask your ortho. That being said I managed to break my right ankle last summer and my left ankle on a dive trip 6 months later. When I broke the first one my ortho told me I could dive in a few weeks (I was freaking out as I had just started Rescue class and was on my way to Bonaire in a few weeks). Now, neither was a bad break and I did not have them casted, just wore a "Rocket Sock" and removable boot at times. I did not even know I had broken the first ankle, thought it was just a really bad sprain and I dove all weekend climbing up and down the hill in gear and iced it whenever I was out of the water. By Monday I knew I had possibly done more damage then originally thought. My ortho sent me to PT 2 times a week for the 3 weeks I had before the trip and allowed me to dive all I wanted on the trip as long as I was careful. I dove 4 times every day. It healed really well. I dove when I broke the other one also & a different ortho did not tell me otherwise. BUT that is ME and the kind of fractures I had. You should just ask your doctor, he will tell you what you can reasonably do. Sounds like you will be seeing him again shortly anyway if it is casted.

 

[utnapistim]

yeah ... I have an appointment next week anyway ...

 

[KidK9]

You can dive as long as the cast is off. Pressure only affects air filled pockets..ie lungs, sinuses. It does not affect liquid filled objects like veins, arteries, or even eyes (or else you would feel that pressure in your eyes). Hence, it especially doesnt affect bones. But that's just the PRESSURE part of it. You are still using that hand, maneuvering it...that is what they are worried about - the doctor wants that to be immobile and stabile.

 

[Green_Manelishi]

I am not a Doctor, nor do I care to be, but I do have personal experience diving with an injury (trauma to a digit .. toe in my case, finger in his case) as does a good friend of mine. We were simply amazed at how colorful our trauma areas were after the dive.