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Can You Exercise With a Cast on Your Wrist?

Published in Cast Exercise 4 mins read

Yes, it is often possible to exercise with a cast on your wrist, but only certain types of activities are safe and recommended. The key is to choose exercises that do not put any stress or strain on your injured wrist or arm, allowing it to heal properly.

Exercising Safely with a Wrist Cast

While your wrist needs protection and time to heal, maintaining your overall fitness can contribute positively to your recovery and well-being. The goal is to focus on cardiovascular health and strength in unaffected body parts, ensuring your injured wrist remains completely undisturbed.

Recommended Low-Impact Activities

When your hand, arm, or wrist is in a cast, the best approach for cardiovascular exercise is to engage in low-intensity lower body activities. These exercises effectively elevate your heart rate and maintain fitness without compromising the healing process.

  • Walking: A fantastic low-impact option, walking is a great way to get your cardiovascular activity in. It requires minimal arm movement, allowing your casted wrist to remain stable and undisturbed.
  • Recumbent Stationary Bicycle: Using a recumbent stationary bicycle is another excellent choice. This type of bike supports your back and typically doesn't require you to use your arms for balance or propulsion, making it ideal for maintaining lower body strength and cardiovascular health while your wrist heals.

Both walking and using a recumbent stationary bicycle are beneficial because they can be done with restricted motion of your arm, which crucially won't compromise its healing.

Activities to Avoid

It is equally important to know which activities pose a risk to your healing wrist. Any exercise that involves direct impact, weight-bearing, or significant movement of the casted arm should be strictly avoided.

  • Weightlifting (Upper Body): Avoid lifting weights or performing exercises that put stress on your arms, shoulders, or back, as this could inadvertently strain your wrist.
  • Contact Sports: Any sport involving physical contact or a high risk of falls (e.g., football, basketball, soccer) is dangerous and should be avoided.
  • Activities Requiring Arm Balance: Exercises like push-ups, planks, or certain yoga poses that require weight-bearing on your hands.
  • Swimming: Unless you have a specialized waterproof cast and explicit permission from your doctor, avoid swimming, as getting the cast wet can lead to skin irritation or cast damage.
  • High-Impact Activities: Running or jumping activities might be too jarring, potentially causing discomfort or stress to the arm, even if not directly involving the wrist.

Safe vs. Unsafe Exercises

To help you quickly identify appropriate activities, here's a brief overview:

Safe Exercises Exercises to Avoid
Walking Contact sports (e.g., football, basketball)
Recumbent Stationary Bicycle Weightlifting (upper body)
Lower Body Machine Exercises Push-ups, planks, burpees
Leg Lifts, Squats (bodyweight only) Activities with high fall risk
Core exercises (without arm support) Swimming (unless cast is waterproof)

Essential Tips for Exercising with a Cast

To ensure a safe and effective exercise routine while recovering, keep these tips in mind:

  1. Consult Your Doctor: Always get clearance from your orthopedic surgeon or doctor before starting any exercise program. They can provide specific guidance based on your injury and cast type.
  2. Listen to Your Body: If you feel any pain, discomfort, numbness, or tingling in your wrist, hand, or arm, stop exercising immediately.
  3. Keep the Cast Dry: Unless you have a waterproof cast, it's crucial to keep your cast dry during exercise and hygiene routines. Consider using a cast protector for showering.
  4. Monitor for Swelling: Keep an eye on your fingers for any signs of swelling, discoloration, or increased pain. Elevate your hand if swelling occurs.
  5. Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water before, during, and after your workouts.

Exercising cautiously can help you maintain your fitness levels and improve your mood during recovery. However, remember that the primary goal is the proper healing of your wrist. Patience and adherence to medical advice are paramount for a successful recovery.