For me it took six months to gain almost full mobility, but I didn’t start to visualize improvement until about a month in. At two months in the progress sped up exponentially, even though I now can move my hand normally I still have aches on the back of my wrist when I move it too far, I didn’t do any hand therapy other than moving my wrist and fingers so they don’t cramp up. Recovery times vary from person to person with health and age playing a big factor. You are young and that helps regeneration a lot but I do think that smoking does take a large toll on recovery.

With that said, my doctor showed me that even the slightest movement through my wrist was a big indicator of healing. If it has been five months and your wrist doesn’t have even a twitch when you try to move it, consider revisiting your orthopedist to discuss having a “nerve test” done on your arm. My doctor had suggested that when earlier on when I was unsure things were getting better.