Broken Humerus Spiral Fracture
Feb 10, 2016
On January 31, I fell on ice walking my dogs and fractured my surgical neck of my arm and have a very large spiral fracture down my humorous. Initially the pain was pretty bad, I struggled with sleeping, but after day seven it started feeling a little less painful. But then I met with orthopedic again and he put me in a plastic brace to help align the bone and now the pain is almost unbelievable. The only thing I am taking is Tylenol because any kind of opiate makes me very nauseous, and I have a history stomach ulcer so I cannot take Ibuprofen. This whole ordeal has been a huge struggle for me to go from a very active person to sitting in the recliner all day long. I am alone also most of the days because my husband has to go to work. It's been really hard for me not to become overwhelmingly depressed. I'm dealing with the guilt of not being able to go to work as I am a supervisor of a program. In addition I have four animals that are being neglected because I don't have the energy and stamina to do anything with them. Not being able to be self-sufficient is also extremely saddening to me. It is hard for me to see the future when when the orthopedic is saying it will be at least six weeks before I will start seeing some changes. I have tried to keep my mind occupied with things but all I want to do is get better. How has other folks dealt with the pain, the lack of independence and the feeling of being cooped up?
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I broke my leg on the 21st September 2013, and it has now been broken for 15 weeks! I have a spiral fracture to the right tibia, and the doctors decided not to operate. I had a full leg cast for the first 8 weeks, and then went onto a half leg cast, fully weight baring! At first I could only put some of my weight through the bone, and would rely mostly on my crutches, but recently I have been able to hobble around with using no crutches at all - I only do this when i'm inside my house as I would still not rely on my bone fully to steady me. But in the last week or so, it has started to ache more, and it had completely stopped hurting before I am scared that I have put to much weight through it and damaged it again! The pain isn't that bad, it comes and goes and i only take paracetamol to make the ache go away, but it really is worrying me! I don't yet know when my cast is due off as apparently the doctors said my bone will take 4 to 4 and a half months to heal, but by my x rays he said it could be a little earlier! I am a 19 year old girl at university, doing a practical drama degree, so as you can imagine this has been a nightmare for me & I was so hoping I was nearing the end! It seems ever lasting! I'm just wondering if this pain that i'm experiencing now is normal, or if i have possibly done something to damage the break again! I am just panicking because i so want this to be over now i've come 15 weeks and i don't want to go back to square 1
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After surviving the longest MN winter ever, and being extra-careful out on the ice, I tripped on my stairs INSIDE last Thursday. My initial concern was my throbbing left shin, but the right foot ultimately won out, sending me to my GP on Friday morning. X-rays were performed and the fracture was discovered. I was placed into a moon boot, warned that surgery "might" be necessary due to the location of the fracture, and sent home sans crutches, knee walker, or anything else, to await my consult with the orthopod on Monday.
During the vast expanse of free time I had, I rediscovered this site and many others, and also emailed my cousin who is a physician, and managed to get myself totally confused as to the best course of action concerning the healing process.
Long story short, orthopod said fairly clean (though spiral) fracture, very minimal displacement, and recommended no surgery, NWB for two weeks, and a follow-up x-ray on the 17th to see if any bone 'tackiness' is evident (judging from what I have read, this seems highly unlikely).
My concern now is that practically ever since the fall, I have had little to no pain in my foot while bearing weight on the moon boot. My MD cousin said, as did some posters here, that weight bearing stimulates healing and bone growth. So... not to second-guess my ortho, but I am wondering whether I am doing myself and my foot a disservice by NOT putting weight on it. It seems to be getting stiffer and sorer (when I gingerly test my weight on it on occasion) ever since I have started using the crutches and the knee walker. Am I doing the right thing? Is the ortho being too cautious and conservative, or am I being too impatient and skeptical?
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Last February 11, 2014, I fractured my leg (distal tibia and fibula). My doctor calls it Pilon Fracture. Spiral comminuted fracture of the distal tibia and fibula involving the articulations.
February 15, 2014, I went through MIPO (minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis). 4 weeks(March 11) after the operation, my doctor advised me to put some weight on it and so I did. 4 weeks(April 11) later, I had an xray and it appears like nothing's changed from my 1st x ray 4 weeks ago. I tried to put more weight on it but surprisingly, it doesn't hurt nor caused me any discomfort.
How long does a distal tibia and fibula fracture that went through MIPO heal? Exactly when would I walk again without my crutches?!
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My elbow become very stiff after a humerus fracture, especially after elbow immobilization for an extended period of time, I was trying to practice a Six Pack Active Hand Exercises but i can't execute an exercises number : (3) and (4) because i can't bend my fingers more than 90 ; and i can't make a fist .
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On January the 19th I broke my humerus - transverse fracture, slightly not aligned -(I'm 23). I had a surgery after a couple of days with percutaneous fixation with wires, then I was put in a sling for over a month. About two weeks ago I removed the wires in day surgery and was told to try and remove the sling and make some pendulum exercise with my arm.
At the moment I've recovered the elbow movement nearly at 100%, but I can't raise my arm nor move it anywhere. In a couple of days I'll have another X Ray, then an orthopedic examination.
I think and hope the doctor will tell me to start physiotherapy... I'd like to ask you how much time I will need to recover a good range of movement for ordinary life activities (like driving, wearing normally, running)
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Four months ago I fractured my humerus in a car accident and got taken to hospital where I had my arm put in a sling. After a month the bone had begun to heal, but very slowly. My doctor said he wasn't sure whether my arm would fully heal without a permanent deformity. I have displayed a picture of the x ray for the last 2 months x rays and any opinions on what I should do would be much appreciated. I am begining to lose faith in my doctors decision to leave it. I have told him that I want the bone replacing but he said it would be risky going through surgery but I have been put on a waiting list nonetheless.
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On the 30th November I was crossing a road and was struck by a car.
I was knocked unconscious, but after getting taken to a&e and CT scans and xrays they found I had a proximal humerus fracture
The hospital I was admitted to were terrible at giving me information, but I was told I needed it fixed with an operation. Turns out the shoulder was dislocated and the humerus broken right by it.
Eventually they took me down to surgery on the 4th December (was in hospital the whole time)
The next day I was sent home, being told just to flex and move fingers and straighten my arm from the elbow.
2 weeks later I had a check up, doctor was happy but told me very little. I asked if I should be doing anything else, he said nothing.
After 4 weeks, when no NHS physiotherapy appointment had been scheduled, I went private and started doing pendulum exercises. A week later, I was told to assist my injured arm in moving while lying down and the arm being bent at the elbow.
Today I received a very last minute NHS physiotherapy appointment, I went and it appears if I lie down and move my injured arm (assisted or not) the shoulder moves fine, but if I'm standing it is as if the shoulder isn't moving inside, like the ball isn't moving and the shoulder physically moves up.
I haven't got another appointment with the hospital until the 16th
The NHS physiotherapist was worried about my range of motion and said it needs to be weekly appointments.
I'm 24 years old, not over or under weight, fairly good diet, smoke (have cut down) rarely drink
I normally ride a motorbike and drive a car and I really miss being able to!
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last month i met with an accident. Then i undergone the k-wire surjury.after the surjery the docter Mr.vedamoorthy from tenkasi,who done the surgery he teken the x-ray.The x-ray is like this.Now 38 days gone.my dislocated hemerrus bone is like this. Now what to do?.
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I'm 30, have proximal humerus fracture 4part & ORIF with plate,
Now I'm in the 7 week I started therapy before 2 weeks ago, I'm concerned about the union of fracture the doctor said it may take 2-3 months tile unite.
Should I keep taking therapy or wait till healing of fracture?
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I'm a 19 year old girl in good health and no previous broken bones or medical conditions. 8 days ago
I fractured my humerus, mid shaft. Its an oblique fracture. I had an appointment with a orthopedic surgeon and
The bone is perfectly aligned now and the feeling in my fingers and wrist is back. I still cannot move my lower arm.
I was fitted with a brace about 13 hours into the break, and I can no longer feel the bones clicking. The past couple days I
Have had an intense itching under the brace and tonight it got so bad I stuck a cotton swab under the mesh slip to itch it. When I looked at the swab it was a little bloody and had puss and what looked like peeling skin on it. When I looked on the back of my arm under the mesh slip I saw a red rash. It looks and feels very raw. Is this normal?
Also, my elbow and lower arm is extremely swollen. I know this is from the buildup of fluids. But on the underside of my elbow there is a huge bluish purplish reddish bruise. Is this normal?
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I broke my humerus (upper arm) bone in half about two weeks ago. It is a oblique break in the middle of the bone. They had me take x-rays yesterday so they expected me to straighten my arm. Well buddy my bones started grinding and popping and OW! needless to say say they didn't didn't get me to straighten it... Ah whatever they got pictures of it straight the day I broke it thanks to painkillers. It is in a sling and perfectly aligned according to what they did get yesterday and two weeks ago. I am 20 I don't smoke and i don't drink. That is my story now my questions are. 1: how long until I can straighten my arm without the bone moving and snapping? They expect more x-rays in 2 weeks but if this thing moves its not happening! (because I'm a wuss I know) 2: how terrible does therapy really hurt? Should I take pain pills beforehand? I've heard some scary stories about therapy after a break. 3: do I I have have to worry about breaking it again in therapy or when I do decide to straighten it out? May be a stupid question but last time my arm was broken i was 2 so... 4: I have a numb spot on my arm, that from the bone or did I give myself frostbite from non stop ice packs? It's above my elbow, below the break. And lastly how long until it's completely healed? I'm a CNA I kinda need the thing :/ thanks for taking taking time to read this please help me out a little. I have borderline PPD and a hint of wimp so I appreciate any HONEST information!
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I fractured my Humerus back in February playing hockey, not exactly sure how it happened that night is pretty foggy for me. It took a long time to heal but that is not the issue.
My concern is how crooked the bone is when my arm is hanging at my side. When my elbow is bent 90 degrees the bone is almost completely straight, but the second it's at my side it's pretty far off. I can feel it when I touch my arm. Should I be concerned with it? The doctor wasn't at all saying it will be fine and said I am free to go and no need for any more appointments.
Any risks from having the bone healed crooked mid-shaft?
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I am 2 week into my broken fracture in my humerus just above the elbow
The doctors undertook surgery and after the surgery they did say my nerve was damaged in the process as I had a metal plate inserted to put back the broken bones together if that make sense.
Whilst I understand the fracture will take a while to heal I am real concerned about my nerve injury I can't move my thumb freely, I can't move wrist at all I can bend my fingers but I can't straighten
My splint is tight so I do loosen this and try to do exercise with my hand.
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I met an accident around 2.5 years ago and broke my left arm humerus. So I had a surgery and "they" fixed it using a humerus plate. After that, I took ample rest and finally my left arm is all good, not 100% but still up to acceptable level ( I do half my job using left hand and the remaining with right, as in throwing ball with left and writing using right hand). A couple of months ago, I started exercising so as to lose some weight, and it finally led me to join a gym. At first it was hard to get in routine with all these gym workouts, but in no time, I got used to it. Now comes the main issue. Since last month, while gymming, my left humerus has started to cause me pain. It occurs only when I am working out using my arms. It never happened before. This worries me now. Apart from work out, I never feel any pain there. Also, the pain is not something that can make me cry, but something, that makes me stop from whatever I am doing. I am uploading a copy of my X-ray as well.
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Just a little background over the past 5 weeks.
I fell over and broke my left humerus 5 weeks ago yesterday. Initial visit to A&E which resulted in X-rays and put in a collar and cuff for the first 4 days.
I then visited Orthopedics and more X-rays taken and put into a Brace.
I was in the brace until week 4, when it was replaced by a plaster U slab as the brace was causing my arm and hand to be considerably swollen. My U slab had to be changed twice due to it moving constantly in this time and in my opinion not isolating the break.
I had an appointment yesterday at Orthopedics where it was replaced yet again, and told my next appointment is on the 18th of December.
My concerns,
Various different stories told as to healing times.
I am 5 weeks since the break, when will they decide if it needs operating.
I am taking serious pain relief which is barely touching it, and causing sickness.
Its seems like i am being a nuisance asking questions or going back to the hospital, am i being paranoid.
I have managed to take pictures of the X-rays every time they have been taken and week 5 looks the same as day 1.
I know Orthopedic Surgeons undergo the same training. I have a problem that my Surgeon is a lower limb specialist. I have asked to see the Surgeon who specialises in my the area of my break, but only to be told that they are all the same.
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3 weeks I broke my humerus in 3 spots and had surgery to have a plate and screws installed after that I was sent home with a one week prescription to pain meds and I ran out last week so this past week has been hell, lots of pain. I see the surgeon in 2 days any chance he'll prescribe me more meds for the pain or do I gotta live like this for who knows how long?
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I broke my left foot 5th metatarsal playing soccer. Doctor said i have a jones fracture, so i wore i cast for 6 weeks and then the boot of another 3. I was on crutches the whole time not putting any weight on my foot. After 9 weeks my bone still has not healed. So i had to wait 3 weeks in order to put a request for a bone stimulator. On week 14 of being on crutches i receive the bone stimulator. I have been using the bone stimulator for 32 days 10 hours a day. Wednesday this week is when i am getting my xrays to see if my bone has healed. My question is what should i expect on terms of recovery? My soccer season starts on August 1st, what are my chance on being in full form by then. Just putting out there i'm going to work my self to the bone to do all i can for a good healthy recovery.
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I have broken my 5th metatarsal bone in 2 spots close together, it was not displaced but if it shifts its a whole chunk of bone. In emergency i had xrays and was told its a bad break that does not usually heal properly and that i need surgery. I went 4 days later to fracture clinic and they said th3y want to call it a "jones fracture" but that because its broke completely in 2 places its tricky. The previous x ray showed luckily it was not displaced and i kept the air cast and told to go back for x ray in 4 weeks. One dr said to basically not to move and non weight bearing and another said i can use my heal. The goal is to not let the bone shift and hopefully avoid surgery. They left me very confused. Its been almost 2 weeks and i get pain off and on. When i elevate my foot the pain stops and as soon as i would begin to lower it i get very sharp burning like pressure on top of my foot around the break. It gets swollen after i crutch around for even just going across the street to corner store but it relaxes when i lay down and elevate. Since this pa8n has been happening its now swelling more on top at the break but its hard and very tender..sometimes hot and red but it calms down. I do not do much but i have 2 kids, one which has a lot of medical issues and actually was ambulanced to children's hospital the day after i broke it. I'm completely on my own and my son has a ton of upcoming appointments which is travelling an hour away on a cpl busses and through a busy train station..just a lot of walking and all i have are crutches. I guess my questions are..am I doing too much and making it more likely for the bone to shift..has anyone experienced a non displaced break and then have it shift and need surgery? Is there a way to tell myself if i've shifted the bone? Has anyone experienced the same kind of pain?? I read this is one of the hardest and longest fractures to heal but all the info is sooo different from everyone i'm confused.
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I have broken my tib and fib -(think it's called a bimalleolar fracture?) I did it on a pair of high heels at Xmas party, stupid or what? I climbed up one step and it was gone over, my future for next however many months mapped out for me I a nano second! I have the usual metal plate and screws like many of you folk in here. I had my cast off on Monday and went to a physio today who advised me to not use the airboot and "try " to use just the crutches in the house and airboot outside. I a m confused as the consultant at the hospital said keep boot on for two weeks then ditch it AND the crutches. I am really confused, I want to push myself but don't want to do any damage. I am so down, fed up and FRUSTRATED? I have been given exercises from the physio man which he said to do every couple of hours and push through the pain as he said it needs to get moving ASAP. My ankle is so swollen, STIFF and painful. I just don't know what advice is the best? I am 49 WAS fit doing spinning, gym, swimming and lots of classes.
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In early January of this year (2008) I was working out at the gym one day with weights. I heard a "pop" in my upper right arm. Did not think much of it. Continued working out with weights for another 3 days. One night a terrible throbbing pain started in my upper right arm. It was bad. I knew it was not a "normal" pain. I went to my family doctor and had xrays. Everything came back normal. The pain continued. It was terrible. I went back to my family doctor the next week. By this time, I had terrible pain in my arm, and lost some range of motion in my shoulder. My doctor sent me for an ultrasound. It showed that I had a Shoulder Impingement/Frozen Shoulder. I thought, at the time, that this was the most terrible thing in the world. Boy, was I wrong. I began physio on my arm, took anti-inflammatories and painkillers. My ROOM came back, shoulder got better. I was still having terrible pain in my arm. That same "throbbing, pulsating" pain. I was not sleeping at this point. I went to see a few sports and rehabilitation doctors. I got a cortizone shot in my shoulder for the pain. Did not work. I requested another ultrasound from my doctor. It showed that I had a partial bicep tear. I thought that that was the cause of all my problems in the first place. So I began treating that. I had another cortisone shot in my bicep. It made things worse. I was a terrible mess. On painkillers, NSAIDS, anti-depressants, etc. I was at my "witts-end". On another last ditch attempt visit with my family doctor, he prescribed me antibiotics because he believed that I had an infection. My arm was swollen, sore to the touch, very painful, I had a fever, etc. The antibiotics worked. My swelling went down, the pain started to go away, I started to feel like myself again. I thought I was cured. In the meanwhile I had a bone scan. It came back "not normal". My pain doctor who made me have the bone scan told me to go to the hospital right away because he thought that I had cancer in my bone. At this point I was feeling better after being on antibiotics for only a few days. I was devastated. I could barely even believe it - in fact - I did not believe it. I was admitted to the hospital where I had numerous testing done. MRI, CT Scans, Xrays, bloodwork, etc. I was being treated for a bone infection and was on intravenous meds for 4 days. On my fifth day in the hospital, my doctor changed her diagnosis and told me out of the blue that she believed that I had cancer in my arm bone. Either Lymphoma or Sarcoma. Needless to say - I was in a state of shock. I was sent for a biopsy of my arm bone. I had to wait approximately 3 weeks from the date I was told that I had cancer until the day I received the results from the biopsy. I was told that I did not have cancer and had chronic Osteomyelitis. I was so happy to hear this news. I just went to go see an infectious disease doctor today. She told me that the damage to my humerus was bad and that it would not be "the same"anymore. I can't do any weightlifting anymore. I am on oral antibiotics for at least three months. I have a Staph bacteria that somehow nested in my arm bone. I am just thankful that it is not cancer. I do hope though that my infection goes away and NEVER comes back and that the damage to my humerus does not affect my every day to day life.
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