Fracture numerous head

Hi I broke my collar bone, and chipped, my shoulder the same time as you, May this year, I am over 60 and I am suffering too, the hardest is I still cannot lift my arm, and I am still on Trammadol, for pain, I want to know if you or any one else has trouble with there hand, it. Is so stiff in the morning I cannot uncurl it untill I have soked it in cold water, the pain is very bad, I could not use my right hand for 10weeks, but now although it is painfull at times I can use it, and I can lift my arm out straight, the Doctor said I would never be able to lift it straight up again, I am so frightened I will not be able to drive again. I am so glad I found this site.

For me it was the head humerus fracture May 2015. I have been in physio 2 times per week end of June 2015 and I still continue to go. I take Advil for inflammation and Triatec for pain only when I need it now but definitely when I go for my physio. I live in Montreal, Canada so the Triatec may not exist in the USA (not sure). I do not have any problems with my hand however my should is a different issue. Still very painful and more so after my physio and the day that follows. I remember not begin able to do anything where as now I am doing lots of things that I couldn’t imagine doing ever again. I still have lots of pain but everyone says “baby steps”. Hope you get better.

Hang in there lindaudio, I am also 57 and while taking a “aqua-spinning” course later in the locker room fell backwards on wet ceramic tiles and broke my left arm. The people that are saying you are too old is because they are lazy and have no form of exercise in their life and probably overweight! I was also in a sling for 6 weeks and have started PT end of June 2015 and will continue until November 2015. Early November I will also see my specialist that will take another x-ray and tell me for how much longer I will need PT. This is unfortunately a bad bone to break it will be a long a painful journey is what I was told. But, hang in there I am sure things will get better for us no matter how long or how painful. In my case even if I don’t get 100% mobility like I was before this accident as long as I am able to live comfortably without the pain I would be very happy.

Hello lovely people.. just read through the thread and I broke the proximal humas(?) left shoulder through a accident at work - been off 8weeks now and doing physio which has me in severe pain for 3 days after. I can understand the point of keeping the joint mobile but how is that helping the breaks mend? The surgeon is trying to postpone the surgery to see if the healing will mend it on its own. I do have a cushioned sling which has become my comfort blanket as terrified to waslk anyone without for fear of bumping into walls or people with painfully results.

I can dress my self in a fashion except for a bra and showering is not fun as you cant reach all parts if you know what I mean lol lol.. I am currently on Tramadol, which I dont like being a walking zombie so try to stick to Co-codamol 30mgs.  I get surprised by peoples reaction as to why???  I am not back to work yet and get quite upset by it.(I work full time in a call centre) It is the pain down from shoulder to hand that just freezes you in mid walk or movement. Your posts have cheered my up no end but ~I had no idea at the length of time for indivual healing which after reading your posts can be months and months... 

I am really asking if it normal for a normal  for physio to get you 3 days of pain after a 20 mins session - is this right, are they pushing too much... do they actually know what they are doing????? lol.   Oh.. I also bought a bottle of comfrey oil which seems to take the edge off the pain, plus it a holistic approach as it helps to knit bones together.  - seems to be a help and has good reviews.

Fractured the top of my humerous with a displaced fracture February 12th this year and I'm a usually fit and healthy 52 year old.  Was surprised when given a sling/brace in hospital, even though I insisted that the arm felt very unstable,  They did a 2nd x-ray on my insistence, re-tightened the brace and sent me on my merry way. 

  

Roll on 3 weeks later and it was now decided that it would not heal naturally and  humeral rod and screws inserted.    6 hour operation in which they trapped my tongue under the guard for the breathing tube and I now have mild nerve damage to the right side of my tongue, which hopefully will resolve itself (but that is another story)!

Sleeping because of the pain has been so difficult even with pillows propped up at every angle on the bed.  I wake at 2, 3, 4 and onwards every night and my poor partner is luckily a heavy sleeper but even he is suffering!    That awful feeing in the arm of it being tired but unable to rest it in any position.

I take pain killers every 4 hours and try to keep off ibuprofen as I know its not good for healing, but paracetemol does not touch the sides some times.  Luckily during the day I usually manage to do without the painkillers and just save them for the night time.  So tired of taking painkillers and hate to think what they are doing to me as now nearly 10 weeks of use.

2 weeks after the operation I could do without the sling unless walking a longer distance and I was overjoyed to be told that they could already see callus forming on x-ray.

6 weeks after the operation I saw a different consultant who didn't have access to my x-ray taken that morning (had forgotten password) and went off to another cubicle to look at it.  Came back and said it was healing slowly.   I had a feeling that something wasn't right and pressed the doctor for a more affirmative opinion.  I asked if I could drive in 2 weeks and the doctor replied 'if you feel up to it' and see you in 6 weeks.

Came away uneasy and that afternoon saw my phsio and told her my concerns.

She went off to compare x-rays and said that she could see no difference between 2 week and 6 week x-rays and because of this refused to treat me.  My intuition was right, not that it made me feel any better!

I have now rebooked myself into seeing another consultant at the end of this week as I am not happy to wait another 6 weeks with this uncertainty.

My arm still aches at 6 weeks especially the shoulder.  I am doing all of the exercises given to me but I am so worried that it won't heal and I will end up needing a bone graft or something.   I can't help feeling that because it was such a traumatic injury and that it was left 3 weeks before they operated, that is the reason its healing so slowly now.

I should add that I'm self employed and can't afford to be off work and the anxiety that this is causing me does not help either.

Will update you when I have more news on Friday approaching 7 weeks after seeing the consultant.

 

Hi Sian75376 - 10 weeks for me as well.. no surgery - yet ...but told Mine is still healing slowly.  I can relate to your pain, I actually had quite a good few days till today and them it has done nothing but ache and ache. from the top of shoulder/neck down to hand. I took off sling  a week ago but still use a strap for when it gets tired or feels unstable. I discussed my treatment with physio, and was then asked to do pulley pulls with my arm, personally I think it was way too much at present. so not doing them. I know what I can do and not do but do try to slightly push the limit .  have you got a V shape pillow??.. they are the best!!.. as they support head and shoulder/arm.. 

Hi Mollymoos

Thanks for your reply.   Yesterday after doing this post had a call from physio to say that she had spoken to consultant and was now happy to resume treatment as from next week.    I told her was still going for 2nd opinion this Friday at hosipital as sure it would help me psycologically to have an actual look at my most recent x-ray this time and discuss exactly what is going on.

I know what you mean about good and bad days.  Hard to resist doing too much on the good days, but then you certainly pay for it the following day, especially after physio.      Hardest thing on earth to lie on that couch with the physio saying 'relax' as she pushes your arm way beyond where you would like it to go.

If you can heal naturally without any metal put in I am sure that it is the best way.   I now have a 6 inch scar on the top of my shoulder where they had to part the muscle to get the rod down through the top of my shoulder and a further cut where they had to manipulate the break in the bone to pass the rod through.   The movement in my shoulder is now really limited where the muscles have tightened up.   I can raise my bad arm with support of good arm straight in front of me and that is as far as it can go.  I also spend a lot of time sitting at a table and pushing a dish cloth (advice from physio) as far as it will go with both hands with straight arms and that seems to help.   Lots of hot baths and showers.  Also last week started going to  swimming pool and walking to neck height making breast stroke action gently.   Steam room and cold shower after as I have heard heat and cold extremes can help.

Funnily enough I had looked into buying a V shape pillow, so that has now convinced me to go out and get one!

Will update as soon as I have any news and good luck with your healing!

Hi Sian,  Go buy that cushion.. I got mine from Amazon I think.. it  also had 2 covers included in it for a tenner so well worth it..  it can also act as a back support cos you can curl it round your neck and behind your shoulder for support.. as you lie on your side. lol.. I can sort of  lie flat(with 2 pillows) but then struggle to sit up - ever seen a bettle when its falls on its back lol.. legs flaying everywhere.. thats me...  Exercise wise.. I have the circles with the ball, and they told me to go "buy" a pulley rope and attach it(where??) use the good arm to gently pull up the bad arm..- This to me is very daunting and scary...esp as when I saw the constant last time and he told me off when I was  showing him how far I could get my arm to raise up .. Said I wasnt to try to force my arm up on my own.. ummm different instructions from 2 different people. .

Know what you mean about the physio jiggling the arm about - I was told to breathe deeply and stop puffing like I was birthing a baby hehehe..but when they are pulling and tugging away... hellfire ... it hurts....  It is nice to see the sun shinning and help with the psyhcological side if it - I have my little meltdown 4 weeks after, when the reality and frustration of it all hit home..  Take care my friend and think postive thoughts.  x

Hi everyone, I broke my lesser tuberosity in two major pieces on March 20th this year when I slipped on ice while out for a run. It was a very displaced avulsion resulting in a rotator cuff tear (the subscapularis), a tear of the labrum and the fracture. I had surgery 8 days later to repair it all but they missed the 2nd piece of bone and had to do a second surgery 5 days later! They also think the long head of the biceps is stretched or torn but they chose not to repair it.

It is now 3 weeks after the 2nd surgery and I cannot sleep more than 2.5 hrs at a time without pain waking me. I am at my wits end... I am in physio but very concerned that my arm is stuck in an internally rotated position at about 45degrees. I feel like my arm is twisted permanently but they say the joint is congruent.  It hurts like crazy to wear a sling so I have to take it off most of the time. I had am MRI yesterday but waiting on the results.

Has anyone had this kind of injury? From your experiences, how long does it take for the pain to go away? 

Sheri in canada

Hi MollyMoos

Had my appointment with different consultant on Friday and guess what - he says fracture healing well with plenty of callus formation!  I GIVE UP!!!  Talk about confused.   He showed me the x-ray this time which was better still.

Feeling much better now and I am now doing as much as I can with the arm, though he has said still no heavy lifting till the 12 week appointment.

This is my first 2 days without any pain relief.   I have a dull nagging ache from time to time, but try and ignore it.   What I have noticed is that I have to "tell" my arm to relax and that seems to help as the muscles tense on that side without me realising.

Bought the pillow you recommended and it really does help at night and I am sleeping pretty much all the way through, so thanks for that.  I can now sleep on my good side, which I couldn't do before.  I was so fed up with sleeping only on my back!

The only problem I really have at the moment is walking any great distance.  Within 10 minutes I have a pain like someone is sticking a knife in the back of my shoulder blade on the broken side and the only thing that relieves it is sitting down for a few minutes.   My partner took a photo of my back for me to look at and one shoulder blade was about 2 inches higher than the other side so that might explain alot.   It has improved with the exercises I've been doing but I think as soon as I feel more my usual self I shall be seeing a good chiropractor.

We made the mistake of buying a massage seat cushion last week and we now both have aching necks and backs, even worse than before - ( I think that is going straight on Gumtree!)

One thing I've found really usefull is using a swimming pool and steam room.  Each week I find a great improvement in my arm.  Last week I couldn't even let the arm float at shoulder height for the pain in my shoulder, but this week I could and the great thing is that the water takes all of the weight.  The steam room really relaxes my arm (and me) which has got to be good mentally.

Have you been given any idea of when you can expect to get back to work or drive out of interest?    The consultant this time said I can drive when my physio is happy so again totally different to the previous consultant and I feel so nervous at the thought and setting off down the road.   I feel that I have lost a lot of confidence since the accident and dread going back to work.   I have very little energy at the moment and just can't imagine doing a full days work, but I guess this feeling will change with time.   I'm taking lots of supplements at the moment to try and boost my energy but they don't seem to be having much of an effect at the moment.

Speak soon,

Sian.

 

Hi Sian - Soooo pleased I am not the only one who "talks" to their shoulder.. I dare not put on here what I call mine.. lol..  Mine aches quite alot at times.. and I have found that I can now Put on my 'Upper' underwear(lol)  from the front & Twist - but my shoulder really goes mad after 1 hour of wearing it.., not sure if it is the pressure of the strap on my shoulder  or what it could be  - it does not like it one bit.. Still gettimg good/bad days and not sure when I am back to work.. I can lower and raise  my arm down and pick up a few more things but still problems with any sort of rotation  with it.. cooking wise - Cant take food out of oven yet or strain the pans -  even just typing this I can do 2 hands now but my upper n lower muscles are aching like mad when I stretch slightly.. 

you are soo good to go swimming.. My daughter mentioned it to me - I am nervous incase I fell, or slipped before i got into the pool lol.. I can certainly see the pros of it and have been told that heat is great  for the joint mobilty.

I laughed at the massage chair thing you bought.. I could just see you sitting it and being jumped and shook all over the place and  shouting - Turn it off... turn it off..  Any strange movement upsets mine  and off it goes complaining hahah.. 

Any consolantion  It frightens me when I go out incase I get bumped or knocked by people I always wear my sling strap I have.. If  people cant see a illness or such they assume we are  normal.. so I dont take the chance at the min.

As for work I have no idea, going to see Consultant on the 10th May and will see what he thinks but I doubt they will  accept me back if there is anylikelyhood of problems that could occur as I am claiming against them,  You should be offered a back to work regime then build it up from there.. Must admit I really love being at home - just poodle about  doing this little bit and that  - my girls think it great having  a meal done for them everynight(well.. half a meal lol) 

Out of curiosity.. what range of rotation or height did they say that you would get your arm up to..??.. I was given at least 50% if lucky.. I have that now but not on actual rotation of joint - cant flex my arm round to my back only up and down, and out to front..

Takecare  and speak soon..

Every new day is a step closer to getting better..  

Hi MollyMoos,

I know what you mean about being nervous going out and walking anywhere public.  I'm also very nervous walking around the swimming pool and walk at the pace of a snail grabbing every rail as I go.  People look at me oddly in the pool and must think I can't swim (which true, I can't at the moment) as I walk from end to end practicing breast stroke!

When I first took my arm out of the brace it stuck to my side and it was only then I realised that normally there is a gap between your body and arm.  It is surprising how many muscles you have use to allow your arm to hang in a relaxed and natural position.

Also when I first went out walking my arm would still hang rigidly beside me and not swing.   I thought that this also was something that just "happened" and didn't realise that I would have to train my arm again to do something you just take for granted.   My partner would chant "swing that arm, siwng that arm" as I walked to add to my embarrassment!

As far as movement I have been told to expect pretty much full range again but that it will take time and to look as at least 12 months before I get anywhere near that.

I'm surprised that they only give you 50%??     I guess my arm is stronger than yours at the moment because it has a rod running up the centre of the bone, but I had a lot of damage to the muscle at the shoulder when they put the rod in, which is the main reason my range is limited now.   

Did you damage any muscles, tendons or nerves when you broke your arm that would limit the range now?

I saw the physio yesterday and she started trying to manipluate my arm with me lying on the couch, but stopped after about 5 minutes because I couldn't stand the pain in my shoulder.    She has given me some exercises to do at home instead to try and get some better movement going.    I can raise my arm to the side with arm bent around half way between waist and shoulder and I can just about lift arm out in front of me at chest height, but I have been told I am compensating by using my good side to achieve this and I must make a conscious effort not to do that.  Today for the first time I could lift my mobile to ear height (with difficulty).  I can lift a fork to my mouth but again its a strain.   I can move my arm behind me but I anticipate pain doing that movement.  I really miss being able to wash my hair with both hands and puting clips at the back - impossible still.   I can just about wash face with both hands in shower but its a real effort.

I've found a good exercise is to lie in a hot bath and alow my arm to flop down on to me and bit my bit I can now almost touch my shoulder in that position.  I can really feel my biceps working doing that movement.  I still have alot of stiffness and swelling in the elbow which isn't helping. 

I could go on and on boring you!   Its good though to share everthing we are going through and to know that I'm not the only person whith this affliction.

I still remember a friend calling on me when I fiirst had the break (before they operated on it) and her quering why I was wearing a hospital tunic still.  I tried to explain to her the difficulty in putting on and taking off clothes but I could see by her vacant expression that I was wasting my words!    I still need help taking off certain tops even now.    I'm now adopting a very baggy form of dressing and comfort is my only concern.

All the best and will update you again soon!

Sian

Hi sian....  you are doing well with your arm.. I had multi fractures in shoulder but my upper arm and lower  arm with hand was extremley painfull when flexing or lifting . I was convinced that it was either broken as well or I had torn tendons/nerves but the hospital stated no I hadn;t. I was warned by surgeon that range is normally only 50%. I can type with 2 hands but my arm gets very tired after a hour.. I can get tops on but cant bend my arm back or flex upowards.. trick is.. to put bad arm in first - slid top upwards to shoulder... lift neck opening over head and then slid good arm  in.. to take off.. I just ynak neck part over my head and slowly slid the bad arm out first followered by the good arm.. I  have to twist my bra round and do up at front and then twist back round and hoist  the boobies in and gently pull up straps - which pulls terrible on my shoulder..  best to find a way that works for you regardless of how it looks.. just take your time and dont force it.. or you will do more damage and cause more pain..  I've taking my arm partly out of the strap and have  it just swung over my shoulder .. it is not too bad and attempt to slightly push it a bit more.. I tried to lift kettle but still  pulling on my upper arm so not ready yet..  Bathing.. Ifeel more safer in my shower  - plus.. being a cuddly lady.. It would be a tight fit as my bath is on the narrow side.. lol..  I tried to close shower screen other day while lifting my foot  over bath, scraped the top my foot  and the arm automatically went out to stop myself falling backwards - bad move!.. life... flashing before eyes.. and a few very choice words.. Question.. do you find you bruise very easy?.. I seem to have loads of bumps and bruises since I did my shoulder   might just be me though..   anyways take care my friend.. hope to speak soon x

Hi MollyMoos

I don't seem to bruise much more than usual, though funnily enough I did hit the top of my leg on the end of the bed before I went in for the op and the surgeon did ask how I had that particular bruise, which I thought was odd as I had just gone through quite a traumatic event which included cut right elbow to the joint, smashed face with lacerations to the right side and the proverbial broken arm!    Ian was quite insulted as he thought the surgeons may have thought that he was a wife beater or something!     I acutally sustained of the damage by being knocked over by a wave and getting swept the length of a pier.  Luckily I was knocked unconscious at the time and didn't feel a thing.  I was thrown against everything in the way and came too on the floor.  Went to get up and couldn't walk and instantly thought I had broken my back!   Sensation came back to legs and got up and then wondered why felt like my left arm was hovering in front of me.  Went to put it down and realised it was actually lying hanging by my side which was an odd sensation.

The rest is history.    The one thing I have noticed is that I feel the cold a lot at the moment and need heat, blankets and a hot water bottle.  Its getting better but wondered if anyone noticed this?  

I have a fungal infection in my mouth which won't go and I'm now on my 4th round of antibiotics.  The doctors think my immune system is compromised and they have sent off blood to see what is going on - results should be back on Friday so waiting nervously for them.   I did go and watch my son play rugby the week after my op in a freezing staduim and got a severe lung infrection the week after which involved anti-biotics so I know that probably didn't help anything!  You live and learn and I have to remind myself I am not 20 anymore.   Oh and also they think I may still have broken bones in my face so had a CAT scan yesterday to see if so and results back next week. 

Went to start my car yesterday and the battery is flat and alarm goes off if I try to open the door,  so have decided to scrap it as it has done 170000 miles which is good going, but all I need at the moment is to go back to work and have it break down on me.

Speak soon

Sian