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Fracture numerous head

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lindaudio
lindaudio

I fractured the humoros head of my left shoulder on Christmas Eve as a result of a fall during ice-skating. It has been three weeks and my left arm is immobilized in a sling. I return in two weeks to the orthopedic physician who will then x-ray the shoulder again to be certain it is healing well. There was no displacement. I live in the US & wondered how long I will have PT. I'm also wondering when I will be able to use the left arm to hold a hair dryer so I can do my hair. I'm 57 years old & am so hurt when people say I was probably too old to be ice skating. Any replies on healing are appreciated. I'm really frustrated with slow process of healing.

2 likes, 93 replies

93 Replies

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  • sian75376
    sian75376 lindaudio

    Posted

    Hi MollyMoos

    So sorry to hear about your loss and my thoughts are with you.  I lost both of my parents within a year of each other about 7 years ago but it still seems like yesterday and I have to pinch myself to remind me that I can't phone them up or call on them anymore!  

    My accident happened locally and both I and Ian were hit by the wave.  Ian got swept along and knocked unconsious too and almost got swept into the inner harbour, but luckily the railings and a boat trailer stopped him and his injuries were a few cuts and bruises and a sprained, cut ankle.  

    It was quite funny really because he amubulance crew were not at all interested in Ian and left him there on the quay side.  Luckily the RNLI were around and they took him off and warmed him up and lent him an extra warm coat to go home in.  

    I had my handbag on my shoulder and when I regained consciousness on the floor I still had it clasped to my shoulder.  It has always been my biggest fear to lose my handbag.  We lost everthing else including mobiles and had to throw our coats away as they were torn to shreds!   Luckily I had two coats on that morning and if not my right elbow (which was torn to the joint) would have been much more damaged I think.

    Still nothing back from blood test, had a onimous letter in the post this morning which I opened with trepidation but it turned out to be an appointment for speach therapy which it looks like I need now because of trauma to tongue during anaesthesia.   My speach is almost back to normal but I have a slight annoying lisp which comes and goes and as my work involves lots of dictation its really something I need to get sorted out!

    Out of interest how high up your arm was your fracture or is it your actual shoulder that's broken as I guess that makes a big difference as to how much movement you will get back?

    I already had a frozen sholder on my good arm from years ago and all of the exercises that I am doing for the broken arm have now aggravated my good arm and both feel as bad as each other!

    Enjoy our chats too!

    Speak soon,

    Sian

     

    • mollymoos
      mollymoos sian75376

      Posted

      Hi Sian.... Many Thanks for regards... feeling  a bit better though still numb...  Wow that was some accident.. goodness me you and ian got a good ole lashing from the wave..  Strange thing about your handbag.. when I fell with my arms out stretched, I unconusiously (sorry spelling )tucked my left handed fingers  inwards like a fist and still hand them like that when I sort of came to.. I remember Trying to unfold them and it hurting like hell.. lol..  I have multi fracturers in my left shoulder and snapped the "wing" bit off in the inside of arm.. wether this affected my tendon/nerves -dont know. bruised ribs, swollen hand and arm. I was surprised that the bruising on the arm took nearly 8 weeks to go. I had 3 different verdicts at first.. Dislocated/ not dislocated... Broken shoulder, mass broken shoulder..  no one could make up their mind. but the pain was real. just to walk was horriffic.. as for range of movement, I was told by 3 doctors that it would be great at least 50% back,  as it can take up to 1 year to gain a good reasonable rotatable movement of shoulder. - everyone is different, with different bones, some younger, some like me older..( I am 60)lol..  .. Take care my friend.. and be positive in your thoughts.. every day is one step nearer.. 
  • sian75376
    sian75376 lindaudio

    Posted

    Hi MollyMoos

    You will get get there - as they say baby steps. 

    I know what you mean about the brusing.  My arm was just getting better at the 3 week stage and then they operated which was like going back to stage 1 and reliving it all over again including the pain and swelling.  The skin is till numb around the elbow from being stretched so far!

    Got my blood results back today and they are all clear which is a relief, but I still have this horrible oral thrush wihich just won't budge - 4 rounds of treatment now and every other cure known to man including tea tree, garlic, clove oil, salt and cider vinegar to try and make my mouth uninhabitable but the thrush seems to thrive on it and I feel self conscious speaking to anyone up close!

    Hope you feel better soon about everything - what we need are some nice sunny, warm days to cheer us up!

    Take care,

    Sian

    • mollymoos
      mollymoos sian75376

      Posted

      ahhh bless you.. Have you tried plain old yoghurt?? or bicard of soda.. there are some great homiopatic sites on the net.. but yoghurt seems to be the one that is constantly stated..  try to keep sugar based foods down to a minimum as that can make it worse.,   Glad about your blood results - you can breathe slightly now lol..  I have been using comfrey oil on my arm - massaging it in and it does help with circulation, I hate having to keep taking painkillers every few hours. you can buy it amazon for about £3.00 (natures aid) good for brusing and rashes etc etc.. messy at first but I find it helps for me anyway lol lol  -   how you coping withe the day to day living.. I tried to pick up kettle - managed it.. only because it was more or less empty hahah..  take care my friend. x  and yes about the sunshine.. Poured a torrent of rain last night.. 
  • Kmcbennett
    Kmcbennett lindaudio

    Posted

    I'm in the US and suffered two fractures to "ball" of the humerus after being hit by a hit and run driver while riding my bike home from work. I was thrown almost 50 feet and landed predominately on my right shoulder, right elbow and right hip. The ball of the humerus was broken clean through and I also shattered the outside of the bone kind of like crackling the surface of an eggshell. My shoulder was also dislocated more than 3 inches in Word due to the force the landing on the pavement. Because of the secondary fracture to the surface of the bone, there was a lot of concern about doing surgery 2 pin and plate the other fracture together. So the orthopedic doctor on call in the emergency department carefully relocated my shoulder back into place and I was placed in an immobilizer sling. That was on April 5th 2016. My fractures been healing steadily so I do not need surgery, but 7 weeks in they still have me in the immobilizer although I am doing some basic range of motion exercises. Have been out of work since the crash Kama although I am doing a little work from home on email and taking phone calls when I I'm up to it. The healing process has been pretty exhausting which I think has been compounded by the poor quality of sleep I get from the on-and-off-again pain and also crazy nightmare type dreams I seem to have while taking Vicodin pain medication. I have been able to step down the pain meds to one every 6 hours but I do still have retained pain comma especially around the clavicle area which surprisingly wasn't fractured. I did hit my elbow extremely hard and there is concerned nerve damage because there is a narrow area where your nerves pass through they're elbow to your lower arm and hand. I also had a large gash in that elbow that is still healing almost 7 weeks later. I go back to my orthopedic later this week where I expect will get a prescription for physical therapy. Not sure if he will allow me to go back to work. If he does I strongly suspect it will be only part-time. To be honest I don't think I could do more than part-time right now because of the continued levels of pain and also my incapacity do much find motor detail work since it was my right arm was injured. For example I struggle with holding a pen and writing still. I can do a little writing although it's not my normal penmanship but it creates cold Burning Sensations in my forearm and my wrist ache and since shooting pains into the front of my shoulder and clavicle area. They suspect that the disc between two of my cervical spine bones has also then injured from the inward force of the shoulder dislocation. That pain sensation in that area as well which is a constant cold burning feeling that aches. All of this even makes it very difficult to type which is why I used the voice recognition on my cell phone to put this response together otherwise there would be no way I could do this much typing. I also purchased voice recognition software for my laptop and have been using that pretty successfully to respond to work emails as well as keep a daily record of my pain and progress or sometimes lack of progress. The latter is very important since I was involved in a hit-and-run accident where the driver cannot be found, so my own personal Auto insurance policy will be paying for medical expenses, lost wages and some compensation for pain and suffering. I have very little range of motion still and I suspect Physical Therapy will be pretty uncomfortable for a while. I am just in my early forties and have been always very athletic. I have had a number of other injuries over the years so I have a better sense of recovery time although this injury is by far the worst I have suffered. I'm guessing but I think I will be out of work another couple weeks or if I do go back I will be working part-time for quite a while.
    • mollymoos
      mollymoos Kmcbennett

      Posted

      Hello.... If any consolation...  I have been off  4 months and similar to your self..Surgeon wanted to Pin&plate but decided to see how the healing would cope - Cant pin & Plate a jigsaw puzzel lol ..

      All the sensation you have with your elbow  etc. I have had, but never confirmed by surgeon .(was told it was just muscles and dismissed)..I knew there was something not right....Luckily I am right handed so can write with that arm.. I work in a call centre so managed to  develope typing with one hand. I was in a padded sling for up to 3 months with physio - and on high strong painkillers, which I still take.  I was then dropped to a strap for  support which I took off for a little while but have now found that my shoulder complains terribily that I have started to wear again.  I slept with a V cushion which supports your back of shoulder and arm, enabling you to get a few decent hours sleep.. invest in one if possible., I still use it as my arm/shoulder goes into spasms when I dont.  I have just turned 60 so really could have done without this accident.  - As like you, My other health has improved greatly since being at home and am considering going back part time - but more than likely the company will say no after I have done my back to work programme.  Mine was a accident at work -  take care my friend - Some also say  with dislocation joints they can become dislocated again n again..  which makes me wonder that each time I allow my arm to be unsupported with strap.. it drops out of the socket and causing the pain I feel..   anyway take care my friend and take it easy.. you cant rush healing smile

    • Kmcbennett
      Kmcbennett mollymoos

      Posted

      Well I knew I wasn't alone but it is interesting to read about all the variations in people's injuries depending on what they broke in the shoulder and of course how it occurred. I obviously suffered more because of the impact of being thrown so far after being hit by a small SUV.
    • mollymoos
      mollymoos Kmcbennett

      Posted

      Bless you hun... I was attacked by  floor tiles in a pile..by builders at work .. so much for a bid for freedom lol..  suppose everyone has variations of problems..  I was amazed by the hospital staff expecting me to position myself for ct scan/xrays and such and not feel any pain - yeah right!.. I screamed the rooms down in tears. and dont get me started on the physio lark., you need to dose your self up with painkillers, but not enough to take the pain away completely.. Pain is there for a reason.. and you dont want to undo any healing that is knitting together.  Some have said that they had surgery and still had major problems, some have had 2 or more surgeries.. if you can get your shoulder up to at least 50% rotation that is good.. I cant get my arm behind my back yet so putting on certain clothing(LOL) is a nightmare - my main attire is jogging bottoms and T shirts as jeans and such you have to have help.  Dont be surprised at the frustration and anger bouts it is the norm..  take care my friend. 
    • sian75376
      sian75376 mollymoos

      Posted

      Hi Mollymoos

      ​Thought I had sent you an email yesterday but it appears to have disappeared into space!    Just wanted to check how you were doing and hopefully you are making good progress by now?

      ​They've confirmed that I do have a fractured cheekbone, so now have to wait and see if they will operate.  I still have a strange numbness in my lips and lower part of my face but I'm hoping that it will resolve by its self.

      ​Looking to get back to work next week.  I've started driving again with the well wishes of my physio and the old gear stick certainly gives a good work out to the arm!  Did a bit of gardening yesterday and paying for it today.  I don't know if I will ever be able to change a lightbulb again with my left arm, (not that I did in the first place) but as long as I have most of the movement back I will be happy.

      ​Hope you are well,

      ​Sian

    • mollymoos
      mollymoos sian75376

      Posted

      Oh no... Overdoing it them.. any consolation   so have I.. Took the strap off over a week ago and thought okay I will take it easy.. but it was okay for a few days the started moaning as usual.. the top shoulder edge has done nothing but really ache and give me pain - I am sure it is moving and slightly dislocating itself.. that I had to put strap back on to rest it..  Cant pick up kettle anymore or even lift a rubbish bag outta bin - just pain and a cold feeling in joint.. marvellous... not sure whether to get  a appointment with surgeon or leave it to see how it goes..  - good to hear that you are out and about(I dont drive)  how did they not pick up on your cheekbone??.. 
    • sian75376
      sian75376 mollymoos

      Posted

      You really shold get yourself seen again if you're not happy with healing progress.   I'm sure I read somewhere that if it hasn't healed by 12 weeks then they should consider operating. 

      ​I don't know how they missed the fracture either.  I was losing clear fluid from my nose at the time which apparently is a sign of a fractured cheek bone but they missed it on the x-ray and  ignored the symptons.

      ​Had last hosp appointment today and saw a good consultant this time who even had time to show me all my x-rays from day 1 and showed me some physio exercises to do! 

      ​Is it this site, but it's taken me ages to type this up as have to keep hitting keys twice.

      Take care,

      Sian

       

    • mollymoos
      mollymoos sian75376

      Posted

      my typing was terrible.. you see me on mobile.. thank goodness for suto correct... lol

      Since I have had the strap back on  it has calmed down slightly  but very hestitant to lift anything heavier than a cup.. so good to hear that you are finally getting sorted - peace of mind when you find a consultant that takes a interest, sometimes you have to just spell it out to them and state what you want to know, every ache and pain etc and ask them what are they going to do lol...  no-one should be palmed off with what ever excuses they give.   How have you been keeping yourself from getting bored then, I started doing some plant therapy, and making my own candle melts lol.. I want to clear out some cubboards but then I have to get rid of the rubbish  lol lol.. all good excerise ..

  • LMBYNF
    LMBYNF lindaudio

    Posted

    I also broke my humorous...fell off a skateboard. I'm 50 and took a lot of crap for it. It bothered me until while waiting for a follow-up x-ray I met a 71 year old lady who broke her wrist falling off one of those hover boards you see in the malls. When I told her how I hurt it she got out of her chair and came over and gave me a high 5!! She was about as cool as it gets! Its been a month now and still can't move my arm very far. Concerned about permanent damage.

    • mollymoos
      mollymoos LMBYNF

      Posted

      HiHun - Broke my shoulder 5 mth ago and am just about 3/4 back to normal. all depends on the injuries you incurred. What fractures you had and then there is physio to keep the joint mobile -  everyone can be different with recovery and time it can take a while  to get back to a  reasonable normal state ,the shoulder I think, never goes back to 100% - it can take a time. Make sure you have some strong painkillers and prop your pillows up for sleeping(or invest in a V shape pillow lol.). x
    • LMBYNF
      LMBYNF mollymoos

      Posted

      Thank you for the reply! Like you stated the shoulder is a bad place to be injured. I've broken bones before but nothing like this. The pain at night is really rough...as you know. I don't think I have been taking enough pain meds and have tried to get through the days with mostly motrin and tylenol. I do take some at night but wow...it sucks. I'm only into this a month so I have a long way to go. The surgeon said I would most likely be looking at shoulder joint surgery down the road. He said right now he could possibly cause more damage to nerves and blood flow...in other words...you did a real number on yourself. So there havent been many things in my life that I said 'never again' to. For instance, the old "I will never drink again God i promise"!! :-D Usually once some time passes and its like ok...I can do that again. But rest assured I will never step foot on a skateboard again...that is for sure!!

    • mollymoos
      mollymoos LMBYNF

      Posted

      oh bless you.. As you have probably read my previous posts.. I fell at work - but luckily We waited to see if it would heal itself - luckily it did  but tendon and muscle spasms are the worst now. I still have nighttime pain but is slowly easing off.. I spent 2.5 months sleeping on Couch as it was easier to get to bathroom(we have a downstairs one) and kitchen for cups of tea lol during the nightime  - If I managed to get a few hours sleep it was a blessing, but used to catnap during the day..  Take the painkillers regulary - are you in a sling? The emotional side will hit you as well all the fury of not being able to do simple stuff like taking a shower(my girls made my a shower sling with a scarf) Oh the indigity of having your children wash you down and dress you..hahahah) lived in joggers and Tshirts. I can laugh now but used to end up in tears at just trying to make a simple sandwich to eat.. 
    • LMBYNF
      LMBYNF mollymoos

      Posted

      Oh boy you're not kidding about the mental side of suddenly becoming a one-handed person. I do wear a sling, but its a very cheap thing the hospital gave me. Kind of wish I had known that a better sling with a strap going around the waist was available...because that would have made the last month a lot easier! The biggest thing right now is taking the precautions to not fall. A fall they said could negate what little healing I have going and put this into a must now do surgery situation. So my family is protecting me a lot when out. Especially my 15 yr old son who helps me get up and lightly rubs my shoulder when it hurts...he's my best little buddy! :-D. I certainly thank you for chatting with me about this because this is a bigger injury than people realize until they have it happen to them or someone close to them. Right now I feel like a person whos partially paralyzed in their left arm...its no bueno!

    • mollymoos
      mollymoos LMBYNF

      Posted

      You will get through it...  If you can find some thin foam,  line your sling with it..it will protect your full arm from any bumps or knocks.... Improvisation is a must.. and if you drop something.. bend at your knees not via your back  - people do tend to think and look at a shoulder injury like a broken wrist - NO WAY.. it affects the whole arm - I can only just slightly bend my left arm backwards to pull my joggers up - then  I forget and boy does it scream at me if I over do it.. My language has increased 10 fold. hahahah  Just takes time and you need to plan everything you are attempting.. I can manage to lift a bottled kettle up now to make a drink, but my hand shakes so carefully does it..   also with the painkillers.. they are good for a reason but the pain is also there to stop you overdoing it and to shout at you if you go too far..  time is a good healer.. I used a oil called comfrey oil for massaging my shoulder.. you can get it from good ole' amazon - fairly cheap.

      have you nicknamed your shoulder yet?..  mine is  affectionally called B******d Shoulder.. hahahah..  all the trials and sufferings of being a older person I am 60yr by the way.. but the brain still thinks I am a 30yr old.  you will do good, and every day will be a step better for you.  just dont push the healing or you may end up undoing all the repair and mending the shoulder is doing.  It;s good to share expierences and tips with people and helps them to know they are not alone and everything is normal with the healing. They were considering surgery with me but due to multiple fractures, it would have been trying to pin & plate a jigsaw puzzle so they took a chance and waited to see how it repaired itself. It has done very well. Surgery is a big thing and can sometimes cause more problems but again it is up to the surgeon in question and what state the shoulder is in.  The body can be a amazing thing when left to it's own devices.

    • LMBYNF
      LMBYNF mollymoos

      Posted

      Naming the shoulder...love it! Mine would either be 'Ahhh Geeez' or 'SOB'n Shoulder' :-D.

      I dont go back to see the doctor for about 5 weeks so on my own as far as trying to heal and doing very simple exercises to improve range of motion.

      I would like to keep chatting with you about this periodically to see how you're progressing and how many weeks you're on. So I can learn what would help me along the way. You've given me so good ideas aready and certainly appreciate that!!

    • mollymoos
      mollymoos LMBYNF

      Posted

      My pleasure lol..  I been off work for 5mths and see my doctor tomorrow for assessment - as I am claiming for the accident,  all the information and treatment will go toward my award for compensation.  Just attempt the physio but DONT over do it - your shoulder will tell you when you have. Plan simple things and it is surprising what you can do with one hand/arm(dont go all pridefull as well - let people help) Take care my friend and think positive thoughts - hope to hear from you next time. smile

    • st67005
      st67005 LMBYNF

      Posted

      I know where you are coming from! In Dec 2013 I shattered my humeral head in a skiing accident. Long story short, I have had 2 shoulder replacements since then. I am now pretty much pain free but my ROM is not good. My family has not gotten me back on the slopes again (yet). I am 56 now and was a very good skiier but the thought of the pain is still vivid in my mind! Hope you have better recovery and you heal better than I did. The blood flow to my shouder never reestablished so the bone died thus the replacement. At the moment all youcan do is wait and hope for the best. My advice to you now is to get a big V pillow (can order on Amazon) it has helped sleep and gottem me through 5 shoulder operations. For the time you do wake up at night and have the knife stabbing pain in your shoulder, get a heating pad that you can put on. The nerves that convey pain are the same ones that sense temperature so if you give them another sensation then the pain is much less. Hope you have some relief, a good sleeping pill once and an while also works a charm! Good luck.
    • mollymoos
      mollymoos st67005

      Posted

      You never forget the pain... and well done on your recovery hun... I only found out last month about the tendon damage - hospitals don't tell you the half of it..  lol.. smile

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