When I broke my right wrist, the break was in a place that the doc didn't want ANY collateral movement; I ended up with a CAST from the hand to mid-bicep. After 4 weeks, it was reduced to below the elbow. I had to take that 4 weeks off. With the half-cast, I "shaved" the hand shell down to the point where I could grip the bar. Had to rotate the brake lever up, too for the 3 weeks of that cast.
Hurt more AFTER the cast came off...!