A broken humerus is fairly uncommon, but quite debilitating and information online is limited, so Ive decided to write about my journey in hopes that it will help others in this unfortunate situation. My fracture is spiral, which also increases the odds of healing on its own. After a humerus fracture, your ability to move your shoulder, called range of motion, will be limited. I would hold my arm in the way that a sling would support it to alleviate pain. Emotionally, arriving home was hard. When you lay on your back, your shoulder naturally drops backward. Dr. Scott Selinger answered. Like yourself, I am very active; Aikido, Yoga, Callisthetics, weight's. These types of humerus fractures are most often caused by direct trauma and is . I was then discharged with one week's worth of oral antibiotics. The consultant managed to "piece" all the bits of bone together using a tension band. You can use your non-operated arm to help guide. For me, it has helped to support my neck better than just using pillows alone. He was happy with my range of motion so far and said that the exercises I was doing were too easy and that I would need to be more aggressive to get my shoulder/ elbow back to normal. An elbow fracture can happen at a few different locations around the elbow joint. On IV antibiotics for 6 weeks . Elbow is purple. But, a proximal humeral fracture is a SUPER painful injury! By the way vitamin c is also very good for the type of infection described here. Simple exercises help avoid mobility and strength issues after the cast comes off. Prescription pain medicine may be given. I can dress and bathe myself, drive, and even do light housework. If someone you care about has sustained a broken arm in a serious accident, call me at your convenience at (800) 404-5400 or (916) 921-6400 for free, friendly legal advice. A proximal humerus fracture is the medical terminology for a "broken shoulder". In addition i fasted twice for 6 days around that time and it helped a lot (there are many testimonies on the power of fasting to heal bones). Arm fractures take about 4-6 weeks to heal, and the therapy can take the same amount of time if the injury is severe. How is an arm fracture treated? I went on a short beach walk. I had x-rays taken and reviewed by my doctor. Dowel exercises allow your uninjured shoulder to assist movement of your injured arm. I had a trip to Bali and Europe planned in two weeks and didnt want my arm to get in the way. The brace is much more comfortable and can be removed for showering. Proximal humerus fracture rates will continue to increase with the aging population 5-7,58 and the concomitant rise in osteoporosis. The top of my arm felt disconnected from the bottom, so I held onto my forearm for support in a taxi to the public hospital. I ended up spending three nights in this room. Anytime my arm feels off, I stop whatever Im doing that is making it feel that way. Hold for two to three seconds; then slowly lower back down. One of the most common humerus fracture recovery tips is to eat as healthy as possible. We went straight to the emergency department admissions window. The elbow is a complex joint that allows you to bend your arm or turn your hand over. After 5 weeks, I finally got the cast off! I was given some elbow straightening and shoulder range of motion exercises to work on at home. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. With severe injury, "wrist drop" can occur, making a person unable to straighten the fingers or lift the hand. Remodeling involves the smoothing out of the crooked part of the bone. Egton Medical Information Systems Limited. Anti-inflammatory medicines such as Ibuprofen and Aspirin stop the inflammation needed to clean and re-build bones. They are most common in older populations and especially in those who are osteoporotic. SeniorSafetyAdvice.com also participates in affiliate programs with HostGator, Clickbank, ShareASale, and other sites. As a certified Senior Home Safety Specialist, a caregiver for her own elderly parents, and a dental care provider for an adult/geriatric practice, she has in-depth knowledge of the rewards and challenges that come with caring for seniors. SeniorSafetyAdvice.com P.O. Turns out that I could not move my left arm on its own, but everything else felt normal. What I can tell you is you will learn ways to do basic things for yourself. We want the forums to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the forums are My elbow feels stiffer everday and now sore on the inner medial epicondyle area I am doing acupunture and ART and just workin on lightly at home until surgery just wanted to see how you healed up. Internal fixation refers to the method of physically reconnecting the bones. Im assuming this is to account for swelling. Im also not drinking alcohol at all, which makes social situations a bit more difficult. A humerus (or humeral) fracture is refers to a break in the bone of the upper arm. Will my flexion improve and the CRPS symptoms especially the hairyness improve? Keeping your elbow straight, lift your arm up in front to shoulder-height. and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified Unfortunately, the doctor didn't set the bones properly, left him with a crooked forearm, close to the wrist region. Turn your body until your injured arm is next to the door. You may also benefit from physical therapy. Once your doctor approves it, you should try straightening your elbow as often as possible. He gave me the go ahead to remove it at night and while at home. Hi, I had a commuited fracture of the proximal humerus in 3 parts. Perform 10 repetitions, working up to three sets in a row before increasing the resistance of the band. It was very hard to slow down and attempt to take things day by day. Im also now able to hyperextend my elbow again (so it completely straightens and then stretches a little further), which the doctor and physical therapists said would never be possible. So, no drinking or eating in the Emergency Room UNLESS you clear it with the ER staff first! I can't touch my face, tie a pony tail and currently not driving . Good luck. Love podcasts or audiobooks? After reduction of elbow fracture by a surgeon the elbow is immobilised using a sling or a plaster cast for 3 to 4 weeks depending on the condition. Even though Ive been getting more used to my cast and a slower pace of life, this week has been the hardest yet. Humerus fracture recovery advice will vary somewhat, depending on the location and classification of your specific injury and your personal goals, according to a September 2013 article published by Deutsches Arzeblatt International. Then, last week, the wound become inflamed and sore yet again, and I was admitted to hospital where I underwent surgery to remove the tension band, as my consultant felt this was preventing the infection from healing. The next day, I went to see a physical therapist. Slowly lower back down. My questions are (a) do I have a case for medical negligence regarding the infection and (b) is there a procedure whereby I can straighten my arm? Wall walking improves your ability to raise your arm while in a standing position. Had the surgery with plate and screws 3 weeks ago. It got much better after using high dose vitamin c (there are research papers on this), fasting, shilajit (mumio), accupuncture, and special oils (like complete bone tissue formula by dr. Christopher and TCM oil), and Traumeel. My legs and back didnt hurt. However, you'll still need to wear a sling, brace, or splint to keep your arm from moving and stabilize your shoulder, if needed.. Even breathing hurt. Ive been doing the following exercises as recommended by my physical therapist: I reached out to my doctor to see if I could remove the sling occasionally. But you will figure out ways to do things without excessive pain. Your arm will need to be immobile over night so it won't be able to move. Broken Shoulder! Your body's natural healing process works to join the two broken bone portions back together using cartilage and fibrous cells. One other thing be sure to be your own advocate when youre dealing with shoulder fractures (or any type of injury, really). I still can't straighten nor bend fully, but I've gone a long way. Resistance band exercises can be easily progressed as your strength improves by moving up color-coded levels. Keep Your Arm Immobile Over Night. Sit with your injured arm next to a table. Seven patients were treated with a plaster cast, five following closed reduction . I fractured my humerous just by the elbow last October. This combined with the walking led to my elbow becoming straighter day-by-day and being more comfortable with shoulder movements. Keeping your elbow straight, lift your arm up in front to shoulder-height. Robin Schiltz, CDS is a Senior Home Safety Specialist, with a certification from Age Safe America . I was in hospital for one night and placed on an antibiotic IV. I'm looking for help and advice. Humeral Shaft Fracture Splint Lightweight and Breathable Humeral Fracture Brace for Upper Arm, Shoulder, Left / Right Arm, Long-Bone Humerus Fracture for Men and Women(Medium) USD $69.99 USD $69.99 My Story. The ulna is on the "pinky finger side" of the forearm. I wont need another x-ray for three weeks, when the brace should be able to be removed. One or more bones can break or crack due to falls, injuries or direct blows, notes the Mayo Clinic. Join here. In November I was kicked by a horse and it completely shattered my right elbow. I had fallen on my left shoulder and that really hurt. This will improve the healing process and also help manage pain. I fasted twice for 5 days and then I went to vipassana 10 days and barely ate, it was the best improvement during this time. Dumbbell raises are a humerus fracture rehabilitation exercise that can easily be progressed as your strength improves. Our clinical information meets the standards set by the NHS in their Standard for Creating Health Content guidance. He recommended doing the following 23 times per day: At the start of week 10, I hit the road for South America! If it's not any better after a day or 2 it. Letting arms hang down while leaning forward and moving arms back and forth to increase shoulder strength. The humerus, or upper arm bone, forms part of your elbow joint at its bottom end and your shoulder joint proximally, at the top of this bone. Splinting or casting is not recommended for newborn humerus fracture. During this time I have been having physio but the elbow is locked and absolutely refuses to move past a 90 degree angle. As with other injuries, there is a bimodal distribution with a small peak amongst the young. How To Prevent Falls In The Home For Elderly A Physical Therapists View, Bed Rails For Seniors To Help Prevent Falls. I have been working on stretching exercises and they are pretty painful. The first instinct after a fall is to try to get up, but you shouldnt move until you at least do a mental assessment of your injuries. A couple of months of PT got me back to almost 90 degrees of flexion, but then it just plateaued. If you arent seeing progress towards full movement within about six weeks, dont be afraid to go back to your health care provider or orthopedic surgeon for treatment options. How is your elbow doing now? Secure one end of the band to a sturdy object, such as a doorknob, at waist-height. Even though from one angle, it doesnt look as straight as one might expect from a healed humerus, she cleared me for all normal activity including lifting heavy objects and yoga! Combined with the swelling, the pain of an unstabilized broken bone makes it next to impossible to tug on your finger enough to take them off. How do you strengthen a broken humerus With your thumb facing up and outwards, try to move your arm in a big arc out to the side With your elbow by your side, rotate your forearm outwards, keeping your elbow at about 90 degrees in flexion Repeat all of these 3 exercises 10 times each, 4-5 times a day. This means no horse riding, no driving, no yoga (which I was going to teach etc). Para espanol, Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy Disclaimer Sitemap. I walked to the hair salon around the corner to get my hair washed and ran some basic errands on my own. I went in for an x-ray to make sure that everything was okay and was able to see the first signs of callusing! I would tell you to have the person who will transport you to the ER or urgent care bring a long scarf (or tie two or three together to make a long scarf). Flossing will be an issue (and as a dental hygienist, Im telling you that having a broken shoulder is NOT an excuse to not floss!). 10 users are following. There are three types of humerus fracture, depending on the location of the break: Proximal, Mid-Shaft and Di. In this article, Ill go deeper into my broken shoulder recovery tips, including: NOTE I am not a doctor and you should not take anything in this article as medical advice. Patients typically are not able to get their arm all-the-way straight after a dislocation. I was told at this time that I would be able to straighten my arm but maybe not 100%. Patient is a UK registered trade mark. Healthy nutrition i believe is key. Despite doing the (very) minimal arm exercises I was allowed to do in the first 6 weeks, the elbow was very stiff and sore. Proximal humeral fractures represent around 5% of all fractures ? A supracondylar humerus (SCH) fracture is the most common type of elbow fracture in children. Initially, button-up shirts are the easiest and the ones less likely to cause further injury. I've always fasted once a month just for 18-24 hours. The upper arm bone ( humerus ) has a relatively large head, three times larger than the socket in which it lies. The bones havent moved since they were put into the first cast in the emergency room, which is great news and means that surgery is still very unlikely. Luckily my mother reacted quickly, after the cast was removed. By the time I was seen in the ER, it was more than two hours past my normal dinner time. If the fracture is small enough and in a spot not covered by the picture, it . I was rushing through a department store one afternoon a few weeks ago, eager to return an item so I could finish other errands and get home from work at a reasonable time. Today it is 8 weeks since the fracture. Spending my savings on rent, food etc. On Monday, the Orthopedic surgeon returned to discuss treatment options. For 7 out of 10 of the people affected, it recovers completely without any need for surgery. Within six weeks, I had made almost a full recovery of my shoulder range of motion! How will it get better? At that point, I will get a custom-made brace (basically two pieces of plastic that clamp together around the humerus). All now on hold. Ask your healthcare provider how to take this medicine safely. We studied 28 displaced (Jacob types II and III) fractures of the lateral humeral condyle in 28 children. Some areas only have gauze over them. After some back and forth with the doctor, he said to sleep on it and we would discuss again in the morning. It's difficult to tell what helped most, perhaps it was combination of things. Just get them off your fingers. Swelling also goes down during healing of the arm fracture, so this makes the underlying bone more prominent, making the bump seem bigger than it really is. Ice it, keep it elevated, and take some Ibuprofen or naproxen. not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in In the first week, I was in Chile and did A LOT of walking. Humeral head fracture: description. 2. If flying, make sure to book window seats with your broken humerus closest to the window. Consult your surgeon before exercising after a humerus fracture to be sure these exercises are safe for you. You can take the sling off to perform these. Surgery also meant a massive scar and a second surgery down the line to remove the metal hardware used after the bone heals.The doctor explained that surgery was the internal route of treatment, while casting and rest was the external treatment and the recovery time was similar for both routes. Proximal humerus fractures often happen to elderly individuals due to osteoporosis and weakened bones; in fact, the proximal humerus bone in the shoulder is the third most frequently broken bone (after hip fractures and wrist fractures) in patients over 65 years old. There were only two Milch type I fractures. I am having acupuncture and physiotherapy, twice weekly, and I also make sure I do my exercises several times a day. I myself fractured my right Elbow and underwent surgery to resposition the fracture of the Humerus from the Radial head trauma. By five weeks, I had turned the proverbial corner into tenderness unless I did something inadvertent that bumped my upper arm bone or moved my arm too far. Bone absorbs the radiation, making it appear on the transposed image. I recently fractured my left humerus and found that reading humerus fracture recovery blogs has been helpful in anticipating the healing process. Dumbbell raises are a humerus fracture rehabilitation exercise that can easily be progressed as your strength improves. Use of the forums is subject to our Terms of Use Keep your elbow tight by your side throughout the movement. After a few hours, the doctors decided to try to reduce the fracture. The day I got my new cast, I was very happy and energized, but the next day I woke up crying and didnt want to leave the house at all. Work up to three sets of 10 repetitions in each direction before increasing the resistance of your band. At the start of the week, I took my brace off for dinner with a friend. First few months I had crps in my palm (projected from the elbow), it was very black and swollen and I could barely move my fingers. A combination of things was very helpful, high dose liposomal vitamin c (there are studies demonstrating vitamin c efficacy in treating crps), shilajit (mumio), dr christopher complete bone formula, and more. How Long After Breaking an Arm Can I Resume Weightlifting? I used dry shampoo for the first two weeks until I felt more comfortable with being able to wash my hair in the shower with just one hand (I was worried about being off balance and slipping at first). Where are you based by the way? I went to a physical therapist for four months and still only had achieved limited range of motion. I am happy to be an honored member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Progress this exercise until you are able to reach the dowel fully overhead. About 2 out of every 10 people who break the middle of their upper arm (humeral shaft fracture) will also damage a nerve called the radial nerve. I was originally sent to Minors, but then an orthopaedic surgeon saw me and rushed me straight to theatre where I was in surgery for 3 hours. This is the normal "carrying angle" of the elbow. Be sure to follow your doctor's and physical therapist's specific instructions for exercise following this injury. I fracture a 3 inch slanted break in my humerus. To do this, lean forward at the waist, let your affected arm hang loose so it is away from the body, then sneak the deodorant up into your armpit. Repeat 10 times. Progress on mobility hasn't been great. Some people may be able to put weight on their leg . Yoga pants and sweats were a great option for me (not the tight workout pants, but a more loose version). I have been out of the sling entirely since Week 6. The next day, I flew from Sydney to Honolulu and then Honolulu to Los Angeles. A proximal humerus fracture is when the humerus bone is broken at . When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Trust me, you are not going to want to lay flat with a broken shoulder. Hold for two to three seconds and then walk them back down. The x-rays didnt show any sign of regrowth, which is a bit disappointing as this should be visible at this stage in the healing process. I was in shock, so wasnt in much pain at first. So, I would tell you to ask about starting physical therapy as soon as possible. Certain sports, such as football and skateboarding, may increase your risk of breaking an arm. She also said that I would need to wear the brace for an additional 4 weeks. Using your body for momentum, shift your hips in a clockwise motion and allow your arm to follow. At this point, my arm only straightened to 70 degrees and bent up to 110 degrees. The majority of proximal humeral fractures occur in the elderly (mean age 65 years) with ~70% . I was checked into a room in the hospital with an ocean view, on a floor with other patients with orthopedic injuries. I decided to stop wearing the brace except for in high risk situations. I hadnt realized how common the gesture of hitting someones upper arm really is from sharing a laugh to getting someones attention. I declined being transported, instead electing to have my husband come pick me up and take me to the ER nearer our home. This makes it easier for your humerus to heal on its own. I had already put in my resignation before the injury, so will be able to heal without worrying about work. By the time my husband arrived, every movement hurt my shoulder joint because the broken pieces of bone were rubbing together. Read our editorial policy. Radial nerve damage after humeral fracture causes numbness and tingling in the back of the hand and fingers. Weakness in the muscles that straighten the fingers and wrist makes movement difficult. It was without food and minimal liquids. Life is so busy, I wanted to reply but got sidetracked. I don't know about the infection and case for medical negligence. The next day, an orthopedic surgeon was set to see me and discuss surgery options. This plus the swelling and the protective muscle spasms which occur can lead to shortening of the muscles and the other soft tissue. This site is owned and operated by SeniorSafetyAdvice.com. Also skin colour is strange. Straighten your elbow as far as possible. Ive also had a lot of visitors which helps. They were all I could tolerate. Causes of Mid-Shaft Humerus Fractures. This is why seniors who have been told they need to use a cane or other assistive device (a walker, for example) should use it! But when I woke up, it felt fine, which gave me the confidence to start wearing it less and less, with caution of course. respect of any healthcare matters. I had another x-ray taken and made an appointment with the orthopedic surgeon for a visit in one week. Started physiotheraphy straight after the surgery but range of motion was very poor. The blood supply is the anterior and posterior humeral circumflex artery with the axillary nerve as the major nerve of this region. If users want this information please use the Private Message service to request the details. I am in Cheshire in the UK. Each pothole, speed bump, traffic light, turn of a corner every movement was excruciating because it made the broken humeral head shift and move. I do nowadays a lot of yoga and swimming and it's very helpful. I felt like I had to be on high alert at all times. A displaced fracture is one that is out of its normal . Many thanks and sorry this is so long winded! Your surgeon will see you for follow-up 1-2 weeks after surgery. I also avoided pulling the arm and picking up anything heavy. Common causes of mid-shaft humerus fractures include: Falls: the most common cause of a mid-shaft humeral fracture, particularly in the elderly, is a simple fall. The proximal humerus has two necks. Rotation Stretch: Stand with the elbow at your side, elbow bent 90 degrees, with palm against doorway, turn body to the right and hold stretch 20 seconds. Mentally, the week has been up and down. If you break your humerus, you might need surgery to repair your bone. My arm was plastered from above my shoulder to my fingers. During an open reduction, orthopedic surgeons reposition the pieces of your fractured bone surgically so that your bones are back in their proper alignment. The term, proximal, refers to the. I figured that I was probably giving my shoulder a much needed stretch and also helping my elbow straighten. Turn your body until your non-injured side is next to the door where the band is secured. The information I have gained is that this will ease. I simply caught the edge of my shoe and tripped. Keep the band secured at waist-height with your elbow bent to 90 degrees. I also started doing bicep curls with the 1 pound weight immediately to speed up the elbow straightening. Im stretching just to the point of being uncomfortable, but this still leaves my shoulder aching for several minutes after each stretch. My shoulder still gets sore easily and some shoulder movements (lifting my arm over my head and behind my back) give it a big stretch. *If surgery was not performed, PROM should not start until 3 weeks from the date of injury. This information is strictly my opinion, based on my personal experience with a broken shoulder. A distal humerus fracture is a break in the lower end of the upper arm bone (humerus), one of the three bones that come together to form the elbow joint. Gently let your other arm hang relaxed down. Get a non-slip mat for the shower and have another on the floor next to the tub or shower. Ive had good results with using a heating pad before stretching (to loosen the shoulder), followed by putting ice on my shoulder for about 15 minutes after I am done. I wish you the best of luck with everything, it takes a long time to heal from infection and swelling. She told the. Humerus fracture recovery exercises typically begin with activities to improve shoulder movement, three weeks after injury, according to rehabilitation guidelines recommended by Mammoth Orthopedic Institute. Feels like my infection has gone to my joint as it won't flex more than 90 degrees or extend more than 100 degrees. Hold two to three seconds; then relax. Begin with your forearm touching your belly. These fracture conditions could be a supracondylar fracture, olecranon fracture, radial head fracture or fracture lower end . When you break a shoulder (or any bone), or even dislocate it, you will have a lot of swelling and bruising. I also sometimes get minor aches around my humerus and elbow. In a closed reduction, a doctor physically moves the bones back into place without surgically exposing the bone. Doing therapy and following your doctor's instructions is the best way to avoid significant stiffness. I tried to avoid ibuprofen which would be my normal go to in this situation and rode out the pain. I was sedated and the bones were placed back together. Keeping your elbows straight, slowly raise your arms up toward the ceiling as far as you comfortably can. Repeat to other side. I was also told that it was time for a new cast. Thankfully, I didnt need surgical intervention because there were no bone fragments, but If had required it, I would have had to wait until the following morning if I had eaten anything. Read more: Exercises for Increased Shoulder Flexibility. The bone can crack just slightly or break into many pieces (comminuted fracture). A proximal humerus fracture is a break in the arm bone near the shoulder, or a "broken shoulder". This type of elbow fracture is most common in children between the ages of two and eight years. Twisting the wrist so that palms shift from face up to face down for both wrist and elbow. Overall I felt waves of depression and hopelessness. I realized that simple things like doing dishes, making a cup of tea, and cutting an avocado were going to take a great deal of effort and other things like flossing and wearing normal clothes were going to be impossible. She gave me a steroid injection and switched me to a different PT. I do find it very hard and it does mess up my mood. Again, I was discharged but with NO antibiotics. That may seem obvious but a lot of people ignore the signals that their body is giving them, which can cause further injury and could postpone the healing process. When the surgeon finally arrived, he said he had great news: I wouldnt necessarily need surgery. These can be started after your face-to-face review in the fracture clinic. Hold your arm there for 10 seconds, and then bring your arm back to your side. Most people wear a hinged knee brace after injury or surgery. The things he noticed were that I couldnt reach as far up behind my back as I can on the other side and that my arm doesnt bend up as much as the other side without assistance. Twenty-one fractures were treated by open reduction and internal fixation with K-wires, Palmer nails, or sutures. Stand up tall and squeeze your shoulder blades together, holding a small dumbbell in your hand. Since our injuries parallel I suggest perhaps for mutual support we can check in on each other periodocially for morale. I took also sessions with body practioners like feldenkrais and osteopathy). Stand with your non-injured arm supported on a counter or table. I myself fractured my right Elbow and underwent surgery to resposition the fracture of the Humerus from the Radial head trauma. This part was painful I screamed at one point. I had already quit my job, sold my car and started packing up my belongings. My arm was plastered from above my shoulder to my fingers. Rotation of your arm toward your body and away from your body is also strengthened with resistance band exercises as part of your recovery plan. To sleep, either get a wedge pillow (pictured to the left or see it online here) or pile a couple of pillows up to make a wedge. Humerus fractures are usually caused by traumas like car accidents or falls. In addition, Robin is a Registered Dental Hygienist, with an AAS in Dental Hygiene from Pueblo Community College in Pueblo, Colorado. I now feel more confident leaving the house with my new cast. By the time I was actually seen by an ER doctor about four hours after my fall, my arm and fingers had swollen so much that I could barely take off my rings for the xrays. Stand up tall and squeeze your shoulder blades together, holding a small dumbbell in your hand. After a few hours, the doctors decided to try to reduce the fracture. If so, a fifth of patients lose the ability to straighten their arm in the long-term. If you suffered a fracture to a humerus, a doctor would prescribe . When your arms are held out at your sides and your palms are facing forward, your forearm and hands should normally be about 5 to 15 degrees away from your body. A child's bone will straighten out after a fracture through the process of remodeling. I still cant lay completely flat on my bed or lay down even with just one pillow under my head 8 weeks after my fracture. Turn sideways with your injured arm next to the wall. The result was night and day! I think what frustrates me more than anything, is the lack of information. I was given a morphine drip to help with the pain. On top of that, Ive been taking these vitamins and supplements to support bone and overall health. The National Council on Aging reports that one in four people over the age of 65 will fall each year. I think fasting helped most, and vitamin C too. Keeping your forearm parallel to the ground, pull the band backward while squeezing your shoulder blade toward your spine. Table slides gently stretch your shoulder joint while fully supporting the weight of your injured arm on the table. The hand also healed a lot during vipassana 10 day session when I had time during breaks to experiment with movement at slow pace. Allow your injured arm to dangle as you bend forward at your hips until your back is parallel to the ground. Proximal means it is the end of the bone that is closest to the body. My arm is completely healed. I would recommend using Uber Eats and Door Dash or a similar company for food or try Instacart for groceries while you are healing. Fasting has helped me, it induces regeneration of stem cells, also high dose vitamin c, and herbs such as shilajit and "complete bone tissue formula" by dr Christoperhs, and minerals like silica are very important for bone healing, one can purchase horsetail for example. Some people can recover without surgery and only need a splint, cast or sling. Sitting anywhere else would have been uncomfortable and risky as other passengers could easily bump into it. Humeral fractures can be categorized into three type of groups, depending on which part of the bone is broken. You can ask the community for any specific questions and will likely be able to find people with similar fracture. As it happened, they had been walking into the store to get some snacks when someone saw them and pointed them in my direction. Pull your forearm in toward your body until it reaches your belly. Inflammation is a necessary part of the fracture healing process. Morrey and . Ive been keeping busy by reading, going for walks, laying on the beach and listening to podcasts. . I feel that if the consultant had cleaned the wound out sufficiently when I had the accident, then it would not have become infected. I had x-rays done and my doctor was very pleased with the results (photos below). Patient aims to help the world proactively manage its healthcare, supplying evidence-based information on a wide range of medical and health topics to patients and health professionals. Humerus fractures are a very painful injury, and patients may need to take pain relief medications regularly as prescribed by the doctor. I didnt believe her, by man was she right! Tuck them into your purse, give them to the loved one who might be with you, or even stick them deep inside your pants pocket. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Strengthening exercises can begin as early as three weeks after injury, depending on its severity. This was one of the most painful things of my life. Also, have someone put plates and bowls on the counter, then use them from there (dont keep putting them away each day). I've also been told I've now got CRPS. Tough to say: It's hard to know for sure without an x-ray. She advised that I avoid bicycles and falling at all costs. 7 years ago, It is now almost 4 months since my accident, and, although the infection is getting better, I am still on antibiotics, and I still can't straighten my arm at the elbow. To regain normal use of your arm, you need full ROM of the elbow and forearm. I was lucky enough to meet a Canadian physical therapist in the Amazon. On Monday morning, I had an x-ray that showed everything is healing okay. After this was initially posted, a Fractured Humerus Support group was started on Facebook. Repeat this exercise lifting your arm out to the side, to shoulder-height. It occurs at the bottom part of the humerus bone (Figures 1a and 1b). He explained that most humerus fractures heal without surgery and because I am young and otherwise healthy, it wasnt worth taking the risks involved in surgery. Exercises for Increased Shoulder Flexibility, Deutsches Arzteblatt International: "The Treatment of Proximal Humeral Fracture in Adults", American Physical Therapy Association: "Physical Therapist's Guide to Proximal Humerus Fractures", Geriatric Orthopaedic Surgery & Rehabilitation: "Proximal Humerus Fractures: Evaluation and Management in the Elderly Patient", Mammoth Orthopedic Institute: "Rehabilitation Guidelines for Proximal Humerus Fracture (Non-Operative)". Put the pulley over a door, sit in a chair with your back to the door and pull over your head for a few minutes at a time. I did my stretches constantly until my first appointment with a doctor in the US. Ill also include survival tips that I learn along the way. When I pressed a button, pain medicine was released into an IV line. You will probably have a lot more improvement to come over the next few months. Shortening of the arm is apparent with significant deformity of the bones. How is your elbow now? I have not been able to straighten my arm far past 90 degrees for over 15 years. She is also a CARES Dementia Specialist certified through HealthCare Interactive and a Registered Dental Hygienist. My arm felt safe, secure, and warm from the plaster. I purchased a basic sling at the chemist to use specifically for showering. Extension fractures are further classified into three main types depending on how much the upper arm bone (humerus) has been displaced: type 1: humerus not displaced type 2: humerus. Many thanks for your response to my post and I can wholly sympathise with your predicament - it's so frustrating isn't it? Notes on Broken elbow now can't straighten my arm after 10 weeks, https://patient.info/forums/discuss/broken-elbow-now-can-t-straighten-my-arm-after-10-weeks-360496. I also lied on the bed during the breaks and very gently allowed all of my body to start moving again, style Feldenkrais. Slowly "walk" your fingers up the wall as high as possible until you feel a stretch in your shoulder. How long does the therapy process take after a broken arm? Osteoporosis and other conditions that weaken the bones can lead to arm fractures too. **to be worn day and night; off for hygiene and exercises. The pain went away very quickly once I started seeing a physical therapist and moving it more. The last thing you need to do is slip again while your shoulder is healing. Once removed, I was fitted for a custom-made plastic brace. Get those pre-strung floss picks since you wont be able to manipulate floss with both hands for awhile. At this point, my arm was completely straight and I had successfully worn the brace for another 4 weeks, as instructed by my doctor. 50 These fractures can cause prolonged and severe disability and often are underestimated when compared with hip fractures. I was hoping surgery would be a quick fix. The nurse finally realized how serious the injury was and admitted me. At 8 weeks, getting dressed is still an issue in some respects. The combination of age, potential osteoporosis or weakened bones, and . But, as I wasnt able to get a new x-ray, I was still worried that if I fell, I could re-break the humerus. Sleeping was still uncomfortable and I woke up many times in the night and had to readjust. Perform 10 repetitions in each of these directions: clockwise, counterclockwise, forward/backward and side to side. Thanks! Hold for two to three seconds; then slowly sit back up. It is done using an X-ray beam that is sent through the shoulder and upper arm area. The reduction was done so well that the bone was likely to heal on its own in a cast. There are different grades of radial head fracture, which affects how it is treated. I would fully recommend acupuncture. Over the next couple days I was able to take my first shower and wash my hair with help. Cleared up in 3 weeks and except for brace and some pain when doing my exercises was pretty normal. It can take anything up to 12 weeks for the bone to mend and heal depending on the complexity and severity of your injury. This is because it wasnt moving much, so the joint would freeze up during the healing process. Wrist circumduction exercise for shaft of humerus fracture Stretching of wrist flexor and extensor Forearm supination, pronation exercise for broken arm Ball squeezing exercise using a gel ball Shoulder forward elevation 6 week after the plaster is removal Stretching of elbow flexor muscle Progressive strengthening exercises for broken arm Also forgot to say I'm also on amitriptyline 20mg because of the pain too associated with crps. If you dont have your own, borrow some from your hubby or a friend, or have someone go to Goodwill or another thrift store to purchase three or four to use while healing. Good luck. Michelle, Founder of Virtual Hand Care, shows you how to get elbow extension back after an elbow injury, radial head fracture, olecranon fracture, or elbow . A distal humerus fracture affects the elbow and is a break in the lower end of the humerus. I also dont need assistance to shower when I use the shower sling.. Registered in England and Wales. I've been going every week and regular exercises at home. Repeat 10 times. In order to find the best sleeping position for a broken humerus, and to ensure you get the best sleep possible, follow these six steps: 1. SeniorSafetyAdvice is reader-supported. Other signs of serious injury include a crooked appearance to the elbow or arm, bleeding cuts in the skin around the elbow, or numbness/tingling in the hand after the . The second I hit the floor, I knew Id done some damage, although I wasnt sure if I had broken my left shoulder or simply dislocated it. You may hear or feel a pop or crack in the elbow during the injury. Im hoping that Ill be able to straighten the arm at my elbow sometime next week. Pain, bruising, and swelling around an elbow that's hard to bend or twist can be signs of a broken elbow. If you have had a fall that resulted in a broken a shoulder and have any tips, please let us know so we can add it to this article and others can learn from you. We walked out to the car (every step hurt), I got in the car (simply moving further across the seat hurt). She recommended increasing my intake of iron and Vitamin D through supplements and sunshine. large upper arm bone that connects the elbow joint to the shoulder. Then I realized I could not lift it and also couldnt reach far enough to put it into the oven! I had also stopped wearing my sling almost completely in hopes that my elbow would be trained to straighten again. Slowly rotate your forearm away from your body, against the resistance of the band. On Saturday, August 6, 2017, I slipped and fell down a staircase. My arm got quite swollen during the flight and we had to loosen the brace several times during the journey. This is a major transition period and I had wanted to take advantage of having time off between jobs. While having your arm in a sling you need to exercise your shoulder so not to lose movement in the shoulder. The proximal end of the. Same with food try not to load up the refrigerator so you dont have to keep reaching into the back to get things. Washing your hair will also be a problem in the beginning. Chest pain to finding out I have a brain tumor. The doctor was okay with me not wearing the sling but wasnt thrilled with the healing so far. No - it depends on when the picture is taken (before or after swelling has been reduced) and the angle of the picture. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek Applying deodorant to the armpit under the fractured shoulder is another challenge. She heated up the plaster and applied it in a U-shape from the top of my shoulder down and around my elbow. How do you strengthen your arm after a humerus fracture? Move your arm in 10 gentle circles in one direction, then switch directions and circle your arm 10 more times. In fact, every 19 minutes an older adult dies after a fall. SeniorSafetyAdvice.com is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. I can do a lot more now, as long as I keep my elbow fairly close to my body. Later in the week, I took my brace off to go swimming and one night even forgot to put it back on before I fell asleep. (PS, I have now been diagnosed with septic arthritis of the elbow),Lisa. The sutures or staples are usually taken out about 2 weeks after surgery. An x-ray revealed that my left humerus was badly fractured (spiral) in four places and the doctors said surgery would be needed as soon as possible. Learn on the go with our new app. Let me know how things are going, as it is really a good idea to touch base with someone in the same situation. Fortunately, you can still function well, even if you are unable to get your arm all-the-way bent or straight. Orthopaedics Today Europe | Elbow stiffness following trauma, surgery or due to joint degeneration is a common problem that can significantly impede upper extremity range of motion. The broken pieces of bone may line up straight or may be far out of place (displaced fracture). The other thing I did was fold a small towel to put under my left elbow and shoulder for support while sleeping. Try our Symptom Checker Got any other symptoms? One of the main goals of physical therapy after an elbow fracture is to restore normal range of motion (ROM). Anyone here can analyze it? Breaking a bone in your senior years is traumatic and can be life-changing for older patients. Place a pillow between your fist and the wall. From where the cast was, my arm has increased in hair growth and darkness (is this a symptom of CRPS?) The doctor was also pretty unimpressed with my clunky cast and attributed the sliding to reduced swelling which I think is a positive. I really kicked myself for not going back to get help sooner. Gently press your fist into the wall for two to three seconds. An X-ray of the shoulder will be taken on a weekly or biweekly (every two weeks) basis to confirm the fracture is healing properly. After helping me sit up and checking me over, they (and I) felt my shoulder needed further examination. (Right) The major nerves and ligaments of the elbow are highlighted. Data from a large population-based fracture register were used to quantify 30-day, 90-day, and one-year mortality rates after a proximal humeral fracture. I reached out to my doctor who instructed me to get an x-ray ASAP. Thereafter, the patient will be given weekly exercises to slowly increase the shoulder's range of motion. Immobilize means to prevent the broken ends of the bone from moving apart again so the fracture can "set" or heal.A cast, a brace, a splint or surgery may be used to immobilize the area around the fracture. Avoid loading shoulder at extreme ROM, progress with strengthening activities as tolerated. This cast feels like the best one yet, but means Ill have it for an additional week. After much debate, we decided not to go ahead with surgery. I spent that night in the emergency room. appropriate medical assistance immediately. He gave me some new exercises and said that going to yoga would likely really help the healing process, but to clear this after my x-ray with the doctor. Occasionally it may be caused by falling onto an outstretched hand when the arm is abducted - out to the side. TIP #6 How Long Does Broken Shoulder Pain Last? I did a sailing trip from Colombia to Panama and wore the brace whenever we were at open sea and the risk of slipping on the boat was high. Pendulums use momentum from your body to gently move your shoulder. I mentioned to the nurse that I had a granola bar in my purse that I was intending to eat but hadnt yet (I guess shock temporarily takes away your appetite). Learn more. Two weeks later, the elbow was so inflamed and hot, that I was admitted to hospital for a week and placed on IV antibiotics, and I also underwent two "wash out" operations, where more debris was removed from the wound. I was hooked up to a PCA (patient- controlled analgesia) pump so that I could control my own pain without waiting for a nurse. What exercises are you doing? Ive had a few serious breakdowns over the whole ordeal and sleeping has been difficult. Hold the opposite end of the band in your hand with your elbow bent to 90 degrees. My partner instantly knew that Id seriously hurt myself. I am having a difficult time regaining the fluidity of movement of the arm after 10 weeks. This was essential when asking other passengers to help put my bag in the overhead bin and warning the person next to me not to bump into it on accident. Associations between the risk of mortality and the type of fracture and its treatment were assessed, and mortality rates were compared between patients who sustained a fracture and the . If you have no sling yet, you can cradle your injured arm with the opposite hand and they can gently tie the scarves around your waist and over the elbow to help stabilize the movement. It still hurts to think about it. Do the physical therapy, it's worth it. My arm is back to normal, Ive even gone to yoga. Following a proximal humerus fracture, physical therapy will be crucial to restore proper function of your shoulder and arm. Although the original prognosis was that I would never straighten the arm, I actually believe that it is getting slightly more flexible, but obviously only time will tell. Passive FF while supine, gentle ER to neutral if comfortable, pendulum okay if comfortable, Elbow/wrist AROM, grip strength, scapula isometrics, no resistance exercises, AAROM>AROM as tolerated; PROM Goals: FF 120, ER 50, IR 50, Active FF 100, Begin active motion in plane of scapula, AAROM pulleys, sub-max pain-free isometrics in neutral, scapular strengthening, assisted horizontal Add, Progress AROM/PROM; AROM goals: FF 130 (scapular plane supine), ER 55, IR 60, Initiate assisted IR behind back stretch, resisted IR/ER in scapular plane, begin supine active elevation strengthening(i.e. A stress-ball and shoulder shrugs for shoulder strength are also okay. I spent one last sleepless night in the hospital and the next day was cleared to leave the hospital. Lift your injured arm up with your elbow straight, and walk your fingers up the wall as far as you can. It will decrease your arm movement and allow the bones to heal. Good luck. She is certified in BLS (Basic Life Support) and Adult/Child/Infant CPR for Health Professionals. Two days later and the wound is severely inflamed yet again and I had to go back to my consultant for a 4 week course of oral antibiotics. I have an Infection due to hardware put in my elbow. After the brace was complete, I got another x-ray which showed that the bones had started to come together. If traveling with a broken arm, make sure that you are able to explain that your arm is broken in the language of the country you are visiting. Its been a a little over a year since I broke my humerus and wanted to give another update. It will be painful, I don't want to lie to you, there are days when the pain nearly kills me. Your surgeon will let you know when it's safe to start moving the elbow and how much you can lift with your arm. They had to inject my elbow on 1st Feb with steroids and anaesthetic (thankfully the bone has healed) and next week they may have to inject my shoulder as I've still got frozen shoulder from wearing the cast. I still have to watch to be sure I am not pushing my elbow out away from my body, because that still hurts. I have some friends in town, so Ive even gone to a beach up the coast and a bar with them (I drank hot lemon water). So, I tried moving my arm slowly to see I could move it and how much pain I had. Broken humerus injuries vary significantly in severity. I don't drink much regularly anyway. Repeat 5 times B: Sitting. Stand facing a wall with your elbow bent to 90 degrees and fingers in a gentle fist. My olecranon was broken 8 months ago and last week the metal wire was taken out. My shoulder is also weaker than it should be. I tried kayaking with my arm but realized that it was not yet strong enough to paddle comfortably. Begin with your forearm rotated away from your body, with your elbow tight by your side. I told my doctor that I was planning on traveling in South America for the next 7 weeks and she was confident that I would be fine to travel. Repeat this three times. Infant Humerus Fracture Treatment. Bend and straighten your elbow as far as possible without pain Thank you. I regretted this within the first hour when she got excited and hit my arm when telling a funny story. That simple trick kept the the shoulder in the correct position, which made the ride home far more tolerable. I started out with my arm stuck at a slightly bent angle, and I couldn't straighten or flex it. Luckily, my company has been very understanding and I havent had to attempt my one hour commute to work. When they reached me, the emergency responders doubled checked again before helping me to sit up. This angle allows your forearms to clear your hips when you swing your arms, such as during walking. A broken upper humerus can make everyday tasks that involve movement of your shoulder very difficult. My arm felt heavy, too heavy to move almost at all. Kind regards, Lisa, I just wanted to find out how you 2 were healing up I am going through an ordeal with a Olecranon fracture that was fixed using tension band wire and pins I have made progress with extension but flexion stuck at about 100 also during therapy one day they pushed hard and now my pinky tingly i went for nerve test and my Ulnar nerve is blocked at the elbow so i was advised to stop therapy and now need to get a revision surgery. I am having a difficult time regaining the fluidity of movement of the arm after 10 weeks. Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana, When Your Elderly Parent Starts Lying What To Do, 50 Christmas Gifts For Older Women (2022), Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. 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