So, at the 1/week judo class at my MMA gym, I'm doing randori with a BJJ blue belt who probably has 30 lb on me, and is in a sort of wrestling stance most of the time (hunched/sprawled somewhat the whole time) so I try to do a kouchi-gari into tai-otoshi combo, with his weight as forward as it is. I don't get the proper amount of kuzushi with the turn, so I'm more sideways. He throws a leg out behind me in a sort of yoko otoshi as a reversal, but something about the angle is wrong. I end up on in the front breakfall somehow, still ok at this point, and start to ligt myself up.

At this point he drives hard into me with something, all the force going straight into my right wrist and I can't seem to shift it or bend my elbow - I remember it being trapped but when I visualize our positions I can't figure out how - either way, it keeps getting jammed into the mat, it goes *pop* and my arm collapses and I get a jolt of pain and start saying "****" repeatedly because I have a shitty $2k deductible blue cross health plan and there's a possibility I have to move in 2 1/2 weeks. Oh, and my wrist really fucking hurts, but compared to related life stress this is peripheral at the moment.

The guys at the gym improvise a sling / splint out of belts, sucks, and part of a cardboard box in about 5 minutes - all of which I spend with my wrist in a a bucket of ice. Someone drives off to get my wife, and after she gets there the judo instructor has us follow him to the Loma Linda ER. I get admitted, turn down painkillers via IV or shots because all I can see in my head is the itemized bill from the ER and I want 1) x-ray 2) splint 3) vicodin prescription to be the only things on there other than my admission fee, and 7 hours later am out with the knowledge that I have a distal radius fracture of the "minor displacement" variety.

I have tried to go over what happened several times in my head to figure out what I should have done differently, other than not sucking at judo - something I won't be able to resume correcting for a couple of months now. I didn't break it by posting during impact, I'm sure of that. I watched it break, and saw my bones shift position in my wrist when it happened, and felt trapped, unable to move or fold my arm in to roll with the force that was driving into it -- I'm certain of that. I could be wrong on other details.

So in conclusion, I have a really shitty injury and can't figure out what I'm supposed to have learned from it. The more I think through what happened, the less sense I can make of it.

**** just happens, heres to a speedy recovery :occasion1

Oof. Good luck with the bill, and with healing.

Minor displacement is better than "TOTAL", which involves surgery. You should be able to get away with a splint/cast and some pain killers.

Yeah, I'm hoping the ortho guy I have my cast appointment with tomorrow shares the assessment and it's just vicodin/motrin + cast for 6 weeks, then a few weeks of reconditioning the wrist then back to training. Meh. Even w/ it being a relatively minor break, I really wish I had good insurance for some physical therapy post-cast. It's just bad timing - I went off my assistantship state health program mid-June - bastards wanted to charge me 490/mo for cobra, so I picked up anthem blue cross in CA with the shitty deductible for the interim since I'll be on a full time position's health plan in two weeks or so.

So, at the 1/week judo class at my MMA gym, I'm doing randori with a BJJ blue belt who probably has 30 lb on me, and is in a sort of wrestling stance most of the time (hunched/sprawled somewhat the whole time) so I try to do a kouchi-gari into tai-otoshi combo, with his weight as forward as it is. I don't get the proper amount of kuzushi with the turn, so I'm more sideways. He throws a leg out behind me in a sort of yoko otoshi as a reversal, but something about the angle is wrong. I end up on in the front breakfall somehow, still ok at this point, and start to ligt myself up.

At this point he drives hard into me with something, all the force going straight into my right wrist and I can't seem to shift it or bend my elbow - I remember it being trapped but when I visualize our positions I can't figure out how - either way, it keeps getting jammed into the mat, it goes *pop* and my arm collapses and I get a jolt of pain and start saying "****" repeatedly because I have a shitty $2k deductible blue cross health plan and there's a possibility I have to move in 2 1/2 weeks. Oh, and my wrist really fucking hurts, but compared to related life stress this is peripheral at the moment.

The guys at the gym improvise a sling / splint out of belts, sucks, and part of a cardboard box in about 5 minutes - all of which I spend with my wrist in a a bucket of ice. Someone drives off to get my wife, and after she gets there the judo instructor has us follow him to the Loma Linda ER. I get admitted, turn down painkillers via IV or shots because all I can see in my head is the itemized bill from the ER and I want 1) x-ray 2) splint 3) vicodin prescription to be the only things on there other than my admission fee, and 7 hours later am out with the knowledge that I have a distal radius fracture of the "minor displacement" variety.

I have tried to go over what happened several times in my head to figure out what I should have done differently, other than not sucking at judo - something I won't be able to resume correcting for a couple of months now. I didn't break it by posting during impact, I'm sure of that. I watched it break, and saw my bones shift position in my wrist when it happened, and felt trapped, unable to move or fold my arm in to roll with the force that was driving into it -- I'm certain of that. I could be wrong on other details.

So in conclusion, I have a really shitty injury and can't figure out what I'm supposed to have learned from it. The more I think through what happened, the less sense I can make of it.

Tough luck man.

I've had the exact same injury from falling over with a straight arm about four years ago (pre breakfall knowledge, yay chun). You're out for six weeks with a cast at least, plus you get that retarded atrophied tendon thing.

Pushups will hurt for another month after that.

I recommend the squeezy grip strength things (like hedge pruners without the head) for getting your wrist strength back.

I can relate, I got the same kind of fracture last year (not while doing judo though). Don't worry too much, if it's the usual "Colles" fracture you'll just need some time off.

30lbs on you and hunched? Sounds like the bigger guy was not there to play judo. Mutual welfare and all, you know.

Sorry to hear about the injury. Heal well and quickly.

that sucks. speedy recovery, go over moves in your head (it helps sometimes) and take all the time off for recovery thats reccomended dont cut it short even by a day

**** happens

Get well soon!

I have a shitty $2k deductible blue cross health plan and there's a possibility I have to move in 2 1/2 weeks. Oh, and my wrist really fucking hurts, but compared to related life stress this is peripheral at the moment.

I recommend getting yourself a USJA membership. They have insurance to cover Judo-related injuries. I've never had to file a claim but from what I hear they're much easier to deal with than regular private insurance when it comes to combat sports-related injuries.

http://www.usja-judo.org/

Well I have USJF membership, but I think it only applies under certain circumstances of sanctioning/supervision, and has a $2500 deductible. Meh. Is the USJA accident plan better?

Also, update: my ortho surgeon thinks the ER guys screwed up on their estimation of the displacement and that I should get a plate/surgery. After looking over some things I've tentatively OK'd this. Would anyone recommend not doing the plate for any reason? I'd rather take general surgery risks than chance having wrist disfigurement/dysfunction. I do martial arts, fence, play a few instruments, and also use computers for a living - I can't compromise wrist function.

Well I have USJF membership, but I think it only applies under certain circumstances of sanctioning/supervision, and has a $2500 deductible. Meh. Is the USJA accident plan better?

Also, update: my ortho surgeon thinks the ER guys screwed up on their estimation of the displacement and that I should get a plate/surgery. After looking over some things I've tentatively OK'd this. Would anyone recommend not doing the plate for any reason? I'd rather take general surgery risks than chance having wrist disfigurement/dysfunction. I do martial arts, fence, play a few instruments, and also use computers for a living - I can't compromise wrist function.

Since you are in for surgery, do it right - talk to a sports ortho specialist and a Physical Therapist if you can. At very least talk to your ortho surgeon before the surgery is scheduled and explain your concerns - take a list of questions and get them answered before they start making you bionic. It's your right, and you're paying for it.

Speedy recovery to you.

Well I have USJF membership, but I think it only applies under certain circumstances of sanctioning/supervision, and has a $2500 deductible. Meh. Is the USJA accident plan better?

Also, update: my ortho surgeon thinks the ER guys screwed up on their estimation of the displacement and that I should get a plate/surgery. After looking over some things I've tentatively OK'd this. Would anyone recommend not doing the plate for any reason? I'd rather take general surgery risks than chance having wrist disfigurement/dysfunction. I do martial arts, fence, play a few instruments, and also use computers for a living - I can't compromise wrist function.

I just got done dealing with the same break, mid radial fracture, full displacement. I opted for the plate because it had the best chance of restoring full range of motion to my wrist. The surgery was simple and I do indeed have full twisting motion back on that arm. The immobilization led to a huge decrease in my wrist mobility that had to be corrected via some painful rehab exercises. But I've got 99% mobility back in it after just a month or so of rehab. My injury was on May 17th, I was back on the mats by July 17th, although one handed.
I recommend the plate option if you can do it. Surgery is a little on the pricey side for some people, but it's well worth it to avoid then 50-60% reduction in wrist rotation mobility I was looking at with natural healing.

Yeah, just need to get my surgery scheduled now. God damn, but I'm feeling impatient here. I hope I have a physical therapy option, I have no idea what's going on with my life after a week and a half. I should be hearing back on a full time job or two this week. I could be moving to CO, or staying here in Redlands, or be temporarily w/o full time employment and extending my internship while I expand my job search.

I get to do all this while trying to force out my deadbeat friend who moved into the house I own in Buffalo and decided he wasn't going to pay any rent when I'm in CA and he's in NY and figure out how to sell the house. I am just tired of hanging in limbo and want the fucking to end so I can get settled somewhere and start working on getting myself unfucked bit by bit.

Back on target - has anyone tried one of these (http://www.jumpusa.com/dynaflex_powerball.html) during a recovery period?

Waste of time. Once the cast comes off you can immediately start working on restoring range of motion with stretches, light wrist curls, etc... you won't need any special equipment for the rehab.