I didn't think I would write more, but since this blog is still read, I'll give a brief update.
Two years ago, I just started the cable column workouts (with no weights). Being in the gym triggered an interest in strength training and CrossFit, something I've never been into before. I don't exercise too much in the gym now, one–two sessions a week in addition to running and biking, but I can now do fairly advanced body-weight exercises such as pull-ups and dips something that helps running form. I'm significantly stronger than before the accident, and I have no restriction in my range of motion or any kind of pain. In a strange way, the accident changed my life in a positive direction.
I just discovered a fantastic blog for stretching that would have come handy two years ago: Mobility WOD. WOD is CrossFit jargon for Workout of the Day. The blogger, Kelly Starrett, who posts one exercise a day for one full year is a PT and CrossFitter and is convinced that stretching is absolutely necessary, not only for athletes. Many of the exercises are intended for the lower body, but search the archives for "shoulder", and quite a few videos pop up, many of which use a rubber band, such as this one.
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11 comments:
That is awesome! I am looking forward to making a full recovery as you have. It has been 8.5 months and I just started with a personal trainer in the gym. I love paddling and rock climbing, but paddling will have to be on hold due to shoulder issues. But I can do pullups and chins and will work towards doing those with body weight. I have a permanent 20 degree angulation in my arm but it doesn't prevent me from doing most things.
Judging on the last x-ray available on this site, I don't know how you can be happy with the recovery of your arm. I broke my humerus in half snowboarding and it healed very similar to yours, where sure it is healed, but it certainly does NOT look like a humerus bone is supposed to, and this will affect everything.
8 years after the fact I finally had surgery one week ago today to fix this. They sawed my bone in half and installed 2 metal plates to keep everything in line. All I can say is your humerus does not look good, in my opinion, and I would not be happy keeping it that way for the rest of my life, if I were you.
I had a 20 degree angulation in my arm as well. I lived with it for 8 years. After some time, you may come to release living with it is simply not okay. Why not have it be perfect again for the rest of your years??
This is a very interesting blog and hits very close to home to me. I am currently 24 years old, and I experienced a complete transverse fracture my left humerus about 5 1/2 years ago in December 2005 (snowboarding, as did Philip). It's uncanny how similar the X-rays and the picture of your arm after they removed the shoulder splint looked almost exactly like mine!!! Psychologically this injury is horrible. Sometimes throughout this whole experience you feel like you'll never be able to use your arm again, and you're the only person who has and ever will go through it...but those are silly thoughts. Then I was one week away from them scheduling bone repair surgery with a plate, but then it showed signs of healing -- but at about a 20 degree angle.
In a strange way, it was comforting to know that someone else went through it. I feel as if I, too, emerged a better person from this ordeal. Albeit I'm a bit more cautious, I think I'm a more grounded and level-headed person and after a good 4-5 months to get any type of usable ROM back into my shoulder and arm and a hell of a lot of pain, PT, stretching, and grief I don't take my physical health for granted anymore.
Now, I in most regards have bounced back from this injury. I try to stay very fit - weight lifting, swimming, biking, etc. Unfortunately I've noticed that my left side just can't keep up with my right sometimes - I feel regular tightness, twinges, spasms, and the like in my back and shoulder, and depending on how I position my arm, regular nerve shocks and numbness (this is from my elbow, I think the accident displaced my ulnar nerve). If I hold my arms out in a “T”, you can definitely notice the angle. The body is wonderful in compensating for an injury, weakness, and overall readjusting from a situation like this, but I have to say there's not a few times (at least) in each day where I notice a slight discomfort, tightness, or imbalance.
Philip, this next section is to you because your post intrigues me, especially since yours was 8 years ago. I've regularly thought of having surgery to straighten the bone out, if possible. What was the outcome of your initial consultation? I would've thought they would say it's way too much of a risk and may cause more harm than good (besides an incision scar, but that’s the least of my worries). But by "straightening it out" will it alleviate any of the imbalance and general aches and pains that are associated with this injury? It's been a considerable amount of time and my body is progressively adjusting and getting stronger on my left side and the injury less noticable, but I'm always concerned I will have complications later in life and I'll reach a brick wall where I'll just have to "deal with it", or worse risk injury to my arm and shoulder. I just don't want to have to go through not using my arm again. Please let me know how you are progressing, since I may consider the same route. E-mail me at uasoundpro@gmail.com
Thanks for sharing your story!!! Not many people go through this, and it's a pretty dramatic and remarkable experience of the human body from injury to recovery.
Wow, two years seems to be a short while when you think about it, and you've done a lot in that time frame to boot! Also, I'm sure that your body will be stronger than ever with that workout and I hope you share more of your recovery progress!
Thank you for your blog. In April, I suffered a valgus impacted 3 part fracture of the shoulder. It is week 15 and I feel frustrated. I am happy to have made the recovery I have, but I cannot put my hand behind my back in the "police move" - like I was being cuffed and I still feel pain every day in my arm. Not intense pain like when the accident happened, but pain if I move it behind my back. My PT says the pain is stiffness, but it is sharp and sometimes takes my breath away. Is this normal at this stage? I worry about avascular necrosis, which I know is high for this type of fracture. Any insights?
Michele,
I'm sorry that your recovery is not going perfectly well. I'm not a doctor, but I know about a case of avascular necrosis and recovery process was a pretty intense. I also have learned from lots of PT and trainings since the accident that one should take sharp pain seriously. I'm not talking about that incredible pain that could occur when the PT tries to extend the range of motion, but the stinging pain that could occur from one's own motion. In your case, I would get a second opinion.
Thanks for the update. It was nice to read them. Keep posting more interesting and informative stuff like the same. Thanks.
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About 11 weeks ago I had proximal humerus surgery. One plate, 12 screws, and some wire mesh too. It was bad. And its hard to explain to people just how severe it is. Just the initial pain itself is excruciating. Then PT and all of the stretching and scar tissue possing.. it hurts. but worst is that you simply cannot use your arm, at all, for anything. Its debilitating. It makes you think hard about whats important in life.
But anyway, I'm just writing to say thanks for putting this blog together. Our injuries are very similar and I've been able to track my progress against yours. And I'm right on track which is good to know.
My arm right now if ok and there's no pain except some sudden movements. But I still can't lift it very well. Hoping my strength comes back soon. Its almost Spring.
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