Questions about Derrek Lee's wrist injury

[Abe Frohman]

Has it ever been announced exactly what bone(s) he fractured or if he recieved pins/screws during surgery? With HIPAA policies now firmly in place, I know patient rights could prevent this type of information from leaking.

 

I am just interested if anyone knows detail information. There are all kinds of wrist breaks, and degrees of severity. I wonder how DLee is affected by last season's injury.

 

Also, wasn't his big adjustment that he made between 2004-2005 hitting the inside pitch? I remember him getting pretty much owned on inside stuff before 05, and he didn't look as improved on hitting the inside stuff since he came back from the injury last season.

[questionmarkgrace]

I always wondered if it had anything to do with his diving catch in the WBC. I know he sat out a game or 2 afterwards complaining of soreness. Not sure if it was the same wrist though.

[Drew Doughty]

I always wondered if it had anything to do with his diving catch in the WBC. I know he sat out a game or 2 afterwards complaining of soreness. Not sure if it was the same wrist though.

 

I thought he hurt his shoulder in the WBC?

 

I can't remember.

[soapy]

I don't want to derail this thread too much, but I haven't seen any updates this off-season on his daughter and her condition. Anyone heard anything?

[SauerFan]

Has it ever been announced exactly what bone(s) he fractured or if he recieved pins/screws during surgery?

 

Lee had an undisplaced Colles' fracture, the radius and ulna at the wrist. He had no surgery, hence no pins or screws. He was in a cast for, I believe, six weeks: first a long one for four weeks, then a short (below elbow) cast.

 

Injuries like this are common and usually heal without any problems. You're right that all fractures are different, and some wrist fractures can be devastating, but that isn't the case here. Still, it typically takes six to nine months to really get back to normal from an injury like this, and even then there can be complications like recurrent tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.

 

I imagine he'll be fine by spring training, though he might require a little more time off than he used to get before the injury.

 

I believe Jeff Kent had a similar injury about five years ago. He's done fine, though I heard he had to have a small procedure on the wrist when he was in Houston.

 

Hope this helps.

[Abe Frohman]

That helps a lot. Thanks - you are obviously very learned.

 

I fractured my scaphoid a few years ago, and have a nice titanium screw holding it together. It was almost fractured all the way through, so I am very lucky that it healed well (considering the poor blood supply to the bone).