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Broken left humerus Surgery and Suck: Depression Help!

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Brokenwings29
Brokenwings29

So where do I begin.  Maybe I should start with I am living in my own personal hell.  Many say keep positive thoughts and to look at all the amazing people that surround and support me.  Don’t get me wrong, I am so grateful for my family, friends, and husband but some days seem hopeless.  More days than others.  

It has been 64 days since I broke my humerus in 5 different places.  And about 61 days since a plate and pins has been surgically placed from my shoulder to my elbow.  It all started on Sept 13th.  I fell at one of my two jobs.  The scary part is the job I was working at, at  the time of my fall, I was working solo.  As soon as I fell and heard that pop, I laid there screaming for help.  Of course no one heard me so I mustered up enough courage to get up, in shock and hold my left arm in place with my right hand. I then called security telling them I am almost positive I broke my arm and to call an ambulance.  Lets just say I was lucky to not have  knocked myself out, because who knows when they would have founnd me.  I count my blessings that I am alive.

Anyway the ambulance rushed me to the hospital where they cut off my sweatshirt and took x-rays.  The whole situation felt surreal, like a nightmare.  They soon after told me I had a spiral/oblique fracture to my distal humerus. The ortho PA on duty splinted me and told me to call the ortho that Monday for an appointment that Thursday.  Unfortunately that Saturday night  was a nightmare.  I could literally feel my bone moving around and pain killers weren’t cutting it.  My husband rushed me to an even closer ER the next morning.  I had more x’rays done at the ER and was replinted.  My husband even went out and bought a recliner since I couldn’t sleep anywhere else.  I was then sent to the ortho for Monday.  As soon as I entered the ortho on Monday I was set up for Surgery on Tuesday.  The amount of pain I went through from when I broke it, up to surgery was excruciating all day long.  So for the surgery I am grateful.

Did I ever tell you I never broke a bone in my life, nor did I ever go through surgery and anesthesia before. Going into surgery was probably the scariest moment of my life ever.  However I was out for the count in a matter of seconds.  While I was under my doctor found not one, not two, but five breaks coming off my spiral break.  This lead to the surgery to last 7 hours instead of 3 hours. A plate and several pins were placed from my shoulder to elbow.  

So you might be thinking well Lauren you had surgery and are no longer in excruciating pain every moment so whats wrong.  Firstly I still get pain, just different kind and did still take pain meds for it.  Also during the surgery the doc had to move over my radial nerve so I couldn’t move my fingers too well after the surgery.  I now have radial palsy meaning weakness in the radial nerve.  For the first 5 weeks I was in a splint with splint changes each week.  My fingers can move a little better now but my thumb is still completely numb. But lucky part is  my incision healed well; no infection etc.

This past couple of weeks have been one of the scariest.  My ortho introduced me to a physical therapist and he said I needed to start moving my arm or I would be stuck with a bent arm that can’t turn over forever and at the same time the doc saw updated x-rays and my bones haven’t fused yet or even started. He needs a cat scan by week 12.  Therefore the doc wants me to move my arm on my own using my good arm, but not too hard because he doesn’t want the plate coming out by accident and then he has to God forbid do another surgery.  He doesn’t want me doing physical therapy yet because he is afraid it be too rough and will pull out my plate and pins.  So definitely scares me when my doc wants me to wait for PT, move my arm on my own, and me now being afraid of it staying like this forever.

Basically I am in a make shift splint for the next two weeks.  It is a half splint with ace bandage around it.  Everynight my husband takes the splint off and I move my arm ever so slightly with my good arm. 

I miss work, and doing normal things with friends without being in pain or nausea.  I hate having people doing everything for me including me simple tasks of bathing and pulling my pants down to go to the bathroom.  It is embarrassing and dehumanizing.  I just want to get better sooner or just better at all.

Added stress I was taking too many percoset so I went cold turkey and went through all the withdrawal symptoms physically.  But mentally I am more depressed then ever.  I am so worried of never getting better, 

I am scared sh*tless and just wish I knew someone who experienced the same trauma so I don’t feel alone.  I am scared the feeling and movement won’t come back.  I can’t be like this forever.  I am already a mess, crying every moment.   

7 likes, 154 replies

154 Replies

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  • jeffrey89792
    jeffrey89792 Brokenwings29

    Posted

    Absolutely terrible young lady. I can testify you are not alone. In Sept 21, 2017 my brother was involved in a auto accident which landed in the HOSPITOL with humerus shaft fracture of course requiring surgery in which they completed and the nightmare began. My brother is very lucky he had me here to take care of him because the pain and suffering he went thru was awful, pain pills wouldn’t touch his pain. Funny thing since day one out of surgery my brother had claimed there’s something not right with my arm and I ask him what do you mean he said I can’t even pick my arm up it feels like there’s something catching and will not allow me to raise my arm I feel something poking me in my shoulder near the blade or clavical so he complains to the orthopedic who has now informed him on a broken bone surgery I send you out of the HOSPITOL with a prescription and one refill that’s all I give if you need more you have to get your primary care write a referral to the pain clinic  here it is 5 months since accident he is still not in a pain clinic. They cite it’s gotta be like that because of the OPIOD epidemic. So now all legitimate patients have to suffer because of this younger generations love affair with pain killers. Not fair at all. Anyway 2 months in he still complaining and literally crying in pain. So the ortho takes more X-rays and starts telling him isn’t any wonder you are having trouble where the rod goes down they the humerus shaft it was left a tad bit to long therefore every time he attempts to pick his arm up off his side something is digging into his shoulder blade that’s the top of the rod extended up to high and says the bone hasn’t healed enough we gotta give it 6more weeks before he can attempt to remove rod. Now they are telling him definetly one possibly two more surgery’s one the stretch that arm out it hasn’t been raised up nor move in going on 6 months now I’m hoping your expierience hasn’t been as bad as that but just watching and helping my brother just seeing the pain he endures everyday I sure do feel for you at least you have your loving husband there to help you get around. Ty for sharing your expierience
  • SF68THR
    SF68THR Brokenwings29

    Posted

    Hello everyone. Glad to find this forum and to read about everyone’s experiences. I have a mid shaft humerus fracture of my left (non-dominant) arm, which happened on 16th January 2018, so six weeks ago today. I have never broken a bone before, and I had no idea at the time what I had let myself in for. I was very much of the understanding that broken bones take around 6 weeks to heal, give or take. So apparently we all chose the wrong bone to break!  I will include a brief overview of my journey so far. Please feel free to leave any comments, questions or insights smile 

    Day of injury: I fell from a horse while jumping, at speed, directly onto my left arm and knew instantly it was broken. Ambulance was called, I was given gas & air and morphine for the pain (I didn’t feel any pain at this point but the paramedic assured me that adrenaline and shock were involved in that and that I’d be glad to have the drugs in my system shortly). I was taken to A&E, and examined. X-ray confirmed a broken left humerus midshaft, but no nerve damage suspected. The fracture was severe on the X-ray so I was informed that an operation was likely to be required. My arm was then manipulated into the correct position and put in a splint, from shoulder to elbow. A further X-ray was completed which now showed my humerus in an acceptable position and I was therefore told no surgery required for the time being. I was sent home with strong painkillers and told to return a week later. 

    Week 1 check up: X-ray showed that my humerus was now in a less favourable position than the week previous. They decided to try a brace for a week and see how it was looking before going down the surgical route. The brace was applied and the X-ray repeated, showing an acceptable position again. Sent home for a week. Having now done my own research, I believe the movement in my humerus over week one was due to having not been advised to stay upright at all times and to not rest my elbow. I had been sleeping on my side (on non-injured arm) and had often been resting my elbow on surfaces to give my neck a break from the weight of my arm. 

    Week 2 check up: Still happy with position of humerus. Told to begin some basic movement to try and stop elbow from seizing up too much. Asked to return the following week.

    Week 3 check up: Position of humerus still acceptable. Different doctor this time. Doctor unsure whether callus was starting to show or whether just the angle of my injury on x-ray but seemed positive that all was going to plan. Asked to to return two weeks later to ensure position of humerus still acceptable. Told to start doing some shoulder movement also to prevent stiffness here.

    Week 5 check up: Another new doctor. Doctor looked at my arm for first time today. Until this point no one had actually looked at it since the brace was fitted. He said from images on X-ray it was hard to tell if any healing had begun as until calcium present the X-ray won’t show it. But he felt the bone and also asked me to try and move my arm away from my body, and he seemed to think that the arm is beginning to now move as one unit, which he tells me is a good indication that healing has started. I have now been asked to return for my next check at the 8 week mark, when he hopes to have more concrete evidence of healing. He said by now the bone should be more stable in position and that the brace is more for comfort and support at this stage, therefore does not need to be too tight now. 

    I am keeping everything crossed that the next X-ray will show some progress. Mentally I feel like I am coping well considering, but I miss riding and running, and driving. I would also like to get back to work but the doctor has signed me off until my next appointment. I have had some dark days where I have felt like there is no light at the end of the tunnel. Sleeping has been challenging. After I read that I should be keeping upright, I started sleeping propped up with pillows. The doctor has said to me that this is not necessary however I feel that it is worth a shot if it can help. I have however now I am passed the five week point began sleeping a lot less upright, almost flat on my back. I am hopeful that the bone has enough ‘sticky stuff’ to keep it in place now. This has helped me sleep as my main issue is neck pain, with the weight of my arm hanging on it constantly. I have been very fortunate that I have not to date experienced much pain in my actual arm. Discomfort at times, but not pain as such. 

    The only other thing I’d like to mention is that I cannot yet fully straighten my arm at my elbow however from reading others journeys I believe this is fairly normal and is something I will need to work hard on to fix. 

    Sorry for the long post - I’ve struggled to find information around this other than on this forum and a couple of other pages, so I am hoping that my experience so far may be of interest to anyone else going through this now or in the future, and of course I would be interested to hear anyone else stories or inputs! 

    Hope everyone is healing well. 

    Sam xx

    • klamunyon
      klamunyon SF68THR

      Posted

      Bet wishes on your recovery, Sam. It is a long journey. I am 11 months out from a quadruple proximal fracture (more into the shoulder region). I just started a new round of physical therapy to fine tune the small motor muscles. Not fun. I feel like I'm starting over, but I want the full range of motion and full use of my arm back! I fell from my bike, so a different sort of saddle.  smile I have been back on the bike since mid-August, but unable to ride as much as I want due to pain. (I also fractured my hip and had to have a full hip replacement.) But if we persevere and do the work at physical therapy, things fall into place and the healing is more complete. Don't give up!! Wishing you the best!

    • claire54323
      claire54323 SF68THR

      Posted

      Hi  Sam.  Wow! Your story is very similar to mine.  I fell from a horse during a riding lesson 2nd Sept 2017 and broke my right humerus mid shaft.  It was put back in place (kind of) and it was decided I would be treated conservatively to give the bone a chance to heal on its own, so I was put in a cast then a compression brace after 10 days.   4 months on and after numerus X-rays and seeing different surgeons (each with different opinions) at My clinic appointments I was told the bone wasn’t healing and that I needed surgery.  6 months on with no progress & I was still on the nhs waiting list for surgery and was told they were 4 months behind and that it would probably be summer before I got my op.  Luckily we have health ins so I went private and got my operation 10 days ago to pin and plate it.  The pain was awful when I came round but after a few days it had decreased a lot and I have even started physio.  My arm is a bit stiff and sore but bearable, I only wish I had dug my heals in and demanded a plate sooner, it was always my gut instinct that it wouldn’t heal.. I could feel the bone moving!! .  Anyway onwards and upwards I finally feel like there is light at the end of the tunnel.  If you are lucky enough to see good progress at your X-rays that’s great but expect a long haul to full recovery, it’s a horrible break to have.   All the best xx 

  • susan12460
    susan12460 Brokenwings29

    Posted

    All I can say is...Im listening and hearing you...and its ok to cry...i broke my wrist badly jan 3 and havent been myself since..I just want them to hear me when I say how i feel...instead of being told I need to be patient...and it takes time..i will pray for you..
  • jo_ann47226
    jo_ann47226 Brokenwings29

    Posted

    Your post is 3 yrs ago and I’m wondering how your doing now?

    I broke my humorous bone 14 days ago right below the shoulder really bad! It’s separated at least 1/2” and I find out Monday if I need sugery or not. Most likely because of the severity of the break and the pectoral muscles work against it. I’m so depressed being so immobile and only the use of my left hand and arm. I live in a whole different world now and it sucks! The worst part of all this is I missed my granddaughters 2nd birthday and a 2 week visit I had planned for months. All my plans were and are shattered. I fell while jogging and hit a crack kn the sidewalk and boom right on the concrete. I have been on oxycodone but trying to ween off. My arm hurts in the sling and feels like it moves to much that’s what i think this new doctor will want to put the plate and screws in. I’m really scared but I’m anxious to get my life back! Please let me know how you healed and how long it finally took. I hope your all good now.

    Sincerely, Jo Ann

    I live on the central coast of Oregon and where are you?

    • claire54323
      claire54323 jo_ann47226

      Posted

      Hi Jo Ann.  I feel your pain!  I broke my humerus mid shaft in sept 2017 when I fell from my horse so I completely understand what you are going through.  I was put in a half cast for 10 days while they considered surgery.  It was then decided that it would be best to try and let it heal on its own and I was put in a compression brace.  It was horrendous, for the first two months I was in so much pain and I could actually feel the bone moving with any movement of my arm!! The pain did decrease after a few months but 6 months later the bone still wasnt healed!  I got my operation just last week to bone graft, pin and plate it and I must say I’m doing ok.   My arm is still stiff and painful but not unbearable.  My gut instinct was always that there was no way it was going to heal on its own because there was too much movement but my surgeon was adamant we try.  I wish I had dug my heals in and demanded surgery sooner as it has been such a long process and I still need to get this bone to fuse.  Trust your instincts I say,  and don’t be frightened of the surgery if you need it (it wasn’t that bad).  It really is one of the worst bones to break and it is a throughly miserable time but there is light at the end of the tunnel.   All the best for your recovery.  XX 
    • SF68THR
      SF68THR jo_ann47226

      Posted

      Hi Jo Ann, 

      How are you now? How did your appointment go? Are you going down surgical route or trying to heal naturally? 

      I am at week 11 of my humerus fracture journey. Still trying to heal without surgery but healing hadn’t been as good as they hoped at my 8 week appointment. Next appointment is at 12 weeks where they said they may suggest surgery if there hasn’t been sufficient healing since last X-ray. 

      I am in Scotland, UK. 

      I’m blogging my journey, so if you would like to read about my experience so far you can see it here: 

      I hope you are keeping well! Please feel free to get in touch if you want to chat about anything or have any questions 

      Moderator comment: I have removed the link(s) directing to site(s) unsuitable for inclusion in the forums. If users want this information please use the Private Message service to request the details.

    • jo_ann47226
      jo_ann47226 SF68THR

      Posted

      Hi, I’m sorry to hear that your not healing as well as expected. Hopefully your next x-ray will be great news.  How old are you? 

      I’m 61 and being older we don’t bounce back as fast. My appointment went well and both doctors say let it heal on it’s own.  As you know it won’t even start to heal for 6 weeks and I’m approaching week 4 Sunday. So it’s still a while before I will know if it’s healing ok. At least if you have the surgery you know it will be fixed! Please let me know what you end up doing and how your doing. Btw what is your name? Thank you for taking the time to write to me because it helps to connect with someone going through the same thing. Are you still wearing the sling all the time? Hope to hear from you soon. Jo Ann 😊🌸

    • regina52379
      regina52379 jo_ann47226

      Posted

      Hi Jo Ann.  I am 60 and I totally agree.  I even went through the whole osteoporosis testing as they wanted to make sure there was no underlying condition.  Oh my name is Regina.  They were all negative they heavens.  As I am typing this I am sitting here with my bone stimulator on lol. Well I broke it on March 31, 2017. I was operated on  December 14, 2017.   I do PT 3 times a week and I am moving along.  However I have some rotator cuff problems (not major) because I have been using my shoulder and neck to offset the not being able to reach with my left arm.  One thing is connected to the next.  My doctor would like to see some bone growth around the hardware and he doesn’t see much if any. I go back on 5/22.  So we shall see.  Yes, they tell me I must be patient.  My doctor tells me he will be following me till at least December.  So I am driving short distances now.  I have learned to work with what I have lol.  Please keep me updated on your conidition as well.  We need to stick together!  
    • jo_ann47226
      jo_ann47226 regina52379

      Posted

      Hi Regina, I will keep you posted on my healing. It would be easier if we weren’t having such a rainy spring because getting out on beach walks really help. We have rain predicted for the next 10 days. 😞 I had to cancel my 2 week vacation to Southern California to see my daughter, husband and my granddaughter for her birthday after my fall. So of coarse another bummer! When it rains it pours huh!  Oh well nothing I can do but look forward to fun when this is all over.  You take care and I’ll let you know how my next X-ray turns out. So nice chatting!!!! 

      😊🌻

    • regina52379
      regina52379 jo_ann47226

      Posted

      Oh that is a bummer!   Where do  you live?  I am outside of Philadelphia and we are still having snow!!!  I am so over winter!  It is spring but you would never believe it! 😂. My aching old bones!   Yes, it was great chatting and hopefully when you can travel you can spend 4 weeks  in Southern California!  

    • SF68THR
      SF68THR jo_ann47226

      Posted

      My name is Steph but I tend to go by Sam on forums (SAM are my initials so it’s a nickname I’ve had a long time). 

      I’m only 28 so the doctors were disappointed at the rate of healing, they thought it would be quicker since I’m young and healthy. The doctor said he has a feeling by next appointment it might improve so hopefully he is right. 

      How are you feeling now? Hopefully the pain isn’t too bad. I’ve been lucky with pain, not had much. Only neck pain due to the sling. I stopped using the sling at my 8 week appointment. Took a couple of days of wearing myself off of it gradually as it was painful initially but now I don’t need it at all. I’m also doing more movement with my elbow and shoulder now to try and increase range of movement but the muscles get sore quite easily, and it’s hard to know for sure that the pain is muscular and I am not aggregating my injury. 

      Keep in touch - and if you’d like to read my blog PM me for the link, might give you some insight into the process a little further down the line. I’ve been reading lots of other blogs too so I could share the links to those too if you’d like. Or you may have found them already via google smile 

    • jo_ann47226
      jo_ann47226 regina52379

      Posted

      Hi, I’m on the central coast of Oregon. Usually by this time of year we have more sunshine but it’s a extra rainy year. Go figure! 

        I’m going to have my daughter and granddaughter make a trip up here in a month or so when I’m feeling better. 

      Hope you get your spring soon because it does help to get outside. Keep healing fast and well and I’ll keep in touch. 😊🌻

    • jo_ann47226
      jo_ann47226 SF68THR

      Posted

      Hi Sam, 

      Thanks for the reply. Sorry to hear your healing is slow expecially at your very young age.  I can’t remember if you had the surgery or not? Since you’re not wearing the sling is your bone connected now? I sure hope that my X-ray will show some connection at 6 weeks as I still have a little over 2 weeks till then. 😬 so frustrating!!! I can’t stand not being able to do anything and can’t drive because it’s my right and dominant arm/hand. Have a wonderful day or evening depending where you are. I think you said Uk right? 

      Chat soon I hope! Jo Ann 😊

      Ok, I just looked back on your last reply and realized you are healing on your own. So I’m wondering if there’s any connection yet? I would think so if your sling isn’t necessary.  

      Did the doctors tell you caffeine is bad for healing?  I love my morning coffee and it’s hard to give up. I gave up my evening glass of wine though as I heard alcohol really slows down the healing because it depletes your vitamins. Miss that! Lol! 

      You take care! And hope your having nice weather in scotland! 

      I think it rains a lot there like here in Oregon. 🌷

    • SF68THR
      SF68THR jo_ann47226

      Posted

      Yes trying to heal naturally. So I’m just keeping my fingers crossed that something happens soon. 

      They aren’t sure from my X-ray whether it’s connecting well or not, they think there is some soft callus but hard to know, as it doesn’t always show well on an X-ray. There was still a gap at my 8 week check and the arm still visibly moved at the fracture site when the doctor checked it.  But they are happy for me to stop using the sling and to regain some mobility in my elbow/shoulder. 

      Yes not being able to drive is very frustrating! I feel a while off of driving as I couldn’t lift my arm to the steering wheel at the moment. It will take time to build up I guess. 

      I hope you have a lovely weekend. We have been having lots of rain and snow recently but this weekend is meant to be dry so I’m hoping to get out for a nice long walk. 

      Sam x

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