Wow, I was really having a rough day yesterday so I need to clarify my clarification! When the original break occurred I was in a cast for 1 month, an external fixator for 6 months, and then another cast for 1.5 months. Since that point I have had many other surgeries, neuroectomies, proximal row carpectomy, two grafts from my hips (which now have RSD) into the arm, and two total fusions. Through this time I was constantly in a cast, custom brace or a cock-up brace. It has been so long that it is hard to tell what caused the atrophy, it just is. I would urge anyone to try to be rid of any outer support if at all possible. I do seem to get relief from warm sunshine and humid air. The tornado we had pass through the other night was predicted by me before the weather service got around to it!! I hope all of you are having a "good day", you are all in my prayers, Lisa (sorry for the spelling errors in this, just not sure about some of the medical jargon)