Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Two-year update 2

I just read some comments to my Two-year update post. Philip asked how I could be happy not having a straight bone. That's a good question, so I'll respond:

I am happy because I'm not aware of any angle. The last x-ray was taken long time ago, and before the bone had healed. Also, my doctor use to say that the x-ray image was lagging a few weeks behind what was happening inside. It was then strong enough for daily life (perhaps not push-ups). The angle at the last x-ray at week 18 was not that bad, a few degrees, perhaps, but it didn't look completely aligned – that's true.

What then happens in the healing process was that the bone solidifies and the body moves bone material from one side to the other, so that the angle more or less disappears. This is called Remodeling and doesn't only occur after a fracture, but throughout life. It also adapts to stress: a right handed tennis player will have higher bone mass in the right arm.

How much "straightening out" that has occurred in my case is impossible to say without another x-ray, but why take another image (and be exposed to more radiation) when things are going fine? Apparently, the remodeling after a fracture could take up to five years, so things are still happening in there. But today I performed 20 dips on gymnastic rings, not too shabby for a middle-aged former couch potato, who couldn't perform even one only three years ago.

When I feel the humerus bone, it's impossible to tell that it was ever broken and no misconfiguration is visible from any angle. So to my knowledge, it is perfect.

Thanks for the question Philip!

47 comments:

cheri said...

i have never blogged so i hope this is right. i broke my right humerous last sunday. i am in a plastic splint/brace contrapion that is almost as bad as the brake. it itches and the staps cut in. i have to sleep sitting up, there is swelling and i cant do anything. im avery busy person in the summer. i am a teacher and when summer comes i turn carpenter and do alot of physical projects that wait all year until this timeof year. i thought the splint is supposed to help you and instead its confining and very uncomfortable. its in a sling. i can do little except walk. i dont know if i can last 7 or 8 weeks. anyone out there have any words of
advice ? does it stay this way for the entire 8 weeks? help!

jasper said...

I broke my right humerus (mid shaft spiral fracture)while skiing 4 months ago. I has been a slow process. My Dr. did not want to do surgery because of the risk of nerve damage. The bone has been slow healing (delayed union). I was finally able to get rid of the plastic brace 2 weeks ago. My Dr. prescribed an Exogen 4000+ ultrasound bone healing device which I use at home each day. My insurance company is going to pay for it. My biggest problem right now is the limited mobiity in my shoulder. I started physio 2 weeks ago. I have very little strength in my arm and shoulder. The range of motion in my shoulder is terrible. I can barely force my hand to touch the top of my head. I just stated to hold a pencil and use the computer mouse with that hand 1 week ago. It is going to take alot of physio. I am an active person so this has been very frustrating. I thought I would be over this by now but I can see now that full recovery is going to take awhile.

Joy Marie Hunt said...

I feel just the same way Jasper. I was sure at three months I would be almost better. I started physical therapy this week. It is tough but I want my arm back.

Joy Marie Hunt said...

Cheri I am also a teacher. I broke my right humerus in March. I have only this week begun physical theraphy. I was off work for 40 days. This may be your summer to relax. I still have to wear the brace in pubic places but not at home. I don't think I prayed for patience but I have had to be patient and so will you.

Mark G said...

Hi, I just started reading your blog, because my 5 year old broke his humerous last friday. He was playing at the playground in the mall and he trip himself and a a lot bigger kid running towards him probably did not see him and fell on top of his elbow. The break was very close to the elbow right above it. He's a happy kid and this all of the sudden makes him a lil' bit sad. But I have to say he's a very tough kid he don't want to take any pain pills at all. He didn't cry but you can tell he's upset about what happened. He had surgery friday night and the Dr put 2 metal pins to keep them together. I hope and pray that everything will be alright. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Per said...

Mark,
I'm sorry to hear about your son. I constantly remind my kids about the possibility of a fracture when they mess around too much. It doesn't help and you can't control them and accidents can happen even when you're not careless.

But there seem to be good news. From everything I've read, kids' fractures heal much quicker: both the bone and the muscle recovery. These kinds of accidents are probably as bad, or even worse for the parents than for the kid.

benbrar said...

This blog is very good guidebook for humerus fracture recovery.
I broke distal humerus in arm wrestling (three pieces), a month and half ago. have been reading this blog week by week to compare my progress. have a 6 inch plate and 8 nails in my right arm though. so the recovery is faster by two weeks compared to wots mentioned in this blog.
To those who are still in cast all i could say is first month or half is the most difficult. just hold tight. And adhere to what ur doctor says religiously. Fractures take time to heal.

Humerus Fracture said...

I think as long as you have regained your strength its fine even to have a deformed humerus. If there is no obvious deformity you are even fine to not undergo any further xray examinations.

Dr Gauresh

Unknown said...

Its good to hear a positive attitude towards a serious situation. Although not completely unique it could be twisted like so. I am glad to read this blog thanks for the update do you call a doctor for regular check ups still?

Hummer3 said...

Hello you lovely people

So I came across this site frantically looking for advice, supporting and other life experiences to shed some light into this worrying story, many of you seemed to be apart of...

7.2 weeks ago today, I spirally fractured my right humerus 2 inches above the eblow in 3 places with a butterfly fragment...

this happened in NYC, I was on holiday I live in CA, 2 days before I was to head back home, stooopid me had an arm wresle with a friend..... boom!

im not going to defend my strength and why I broke my arm to a skinner lighter 23yr old friend, perhaps freak accident and positioning and consumption of redbull during the night out..

in a nut shell, taxi driver didnt know where hospital was took him 25 mins to find it..

to this date my arms been reset 3 times, splinted 4 times, no surgery.

worrying thing, I have radial nerve damage, cant lift thumb to do the hitch hike position, I have wrist drop and numb, first 3 fingers..

so as you can imagine writing one handed like many here Im sure are!!

im here to give my update and relate to and radial nerve issues from others,

1. pain was so bad I was on heavy pills for 6 weeks, (when pain was managable, I came off the because the pills were dragging me down and screwing up my tummy

2. Still numb thumb, index, and middle finger, wrist drop, and cant open fingers from a fist position or lift thumb to hitch hike.

3. My Elbow, forearm is 3 times the size, I have a samiento brace, wrist brace to keep the wrist in an erect neutral position, otherwise dropped wrist occures

3. still applying ice/ and now heat 3-5 times a week..

4. arm is so heavy shoulder dangles out of socket, infact today i woke up in such extreeme pain I pulled pushed and lifted up my armpit and felt bone pop back into place, (poss. dislocation)

5. Sleeping on back in an upright position is a female dog, Im normally a tummy sleeper, back, shoulders and neck soar from this sleep position,

6. apparently arm starting to feel sticky/calcified as orthopedic surgeon, did some checks by bending my bicep in half in many directions, not solid, but bendy in there, no pain when hi did this, but unusual sensation of cold water being poured inside my bicep...

7. starting to let arm dangle straight down very very carefully... so removing sling a few times a day... aids in pitted edema reduction and forearm swelling, but comes bak when sling re applied..

8. hand more knumb in mornings, less so after I walk arond

9, drinking more than normal amounts of milk, no NSAIDS, Centrum a multi vit, no caffiene, alcohol or sodas

10, hope you could relate, feel free to reply, esp those with radial nerve damage, smyptoms and also recovery.

4 weeks, orthopedic appointment, will keep u posted, excuse the typing and short hand I guess, despite many having same understanding prob

b

Anonymous said...

Hey. nice site. up front i want you to forgive me for my one handed typing and lack of caps...i'm sure you can guess why.

anyway, as a youth I was kinda accident prone and actually suffered 3 distal humerus fractures by the time i was 10 or so-we called 'em broken elbows-fell off bike, fell off the swing set plus i got run over by a car once. in each case it was 6 weeks spent in a cast without much pain-just the usual issues of not being able to bathe or swim for 6 weeks and the itching. i'dd get the cast off and rehab by swinging on the swing set a lot. i dont remember any formal ot/pt

since then i've broken my scaphoid (navicular) and some bones in my hands while crashing motorbikes-still not such a big deal even if the scaphoid did end up keeping me in a very restrictive cast for 3 months....

fast forward to last sunday (5 days ago)when i lost control of a dirt bike while doing a big jump and fell on my left upper arm from a great height. this resulted in a midshaft humerus fracture. i will tell that from the moment i got off the ground and saw my deformed upper arm with the bicep knotted up in a big spasm...this has been a whole new experience for me.

my 1st big let down was when the emts couldnt agree on how to splint it for the ride to the er...20 miles of bumpy road later the small town er resident didnt have a very good idea either...thankfully after 2 sleepless nights feeling the bones grind together every time i moved i got it properly casted by a big city ortho doc...my experience here is a litte different though. this guy has put on a beomoth of a old school plaster cast-he says the extra the weight (esp.at the elbow)will pull my bones into better alignment over the next 3 weeks- kinda like traction.

while the cast is a improvement over the splint i got in the er...its extremely challenging to live with....sleeping sitting up and having a sore neck and shoulders from the sling being the main components of my misery followed by swelling in my arm if i'm up much and of course...the bone moving around if i try to say...put my pants on or lean forward for any reason. here in the upper midwest in early september i'm sure the motocross season is over for me but its beggining to look like ice racing in january might be out too...hahaha

anyway...this sucks and everything ive read suggests it will continue to suck for quite a while....hope this helps, lol

-willycrash

jasper said...

I have posted before. I broke my right humerus 7 months ago ( Spiral fracture with large butterfly fragment). It was slow healing and has now turned into a non-union. The x-ray hasn't changed much in 3 months and no new callous is forming. It is barely stuck together and I cannot bear load on it. It appears that surgery is the only option for me. I just want to get this over with.

Hummer3 said...

Jasper.. You poor thing... I'll pray for you, I'm 8.1 weeks today, wrist drop from radial nerve damage seems to be recovering as I can now lift my wrist up slightly from a dropped position...

But I'm getting extreme shoulder pain these days, still in a sling but letting arm dangle several times a day

Bought calcium pills 600mg with vitamin D and also taking a centrum multi vitamin

Keep us posted

Debbie said...

Jasper
Sorry to hear u have a non union. 7 months is a long time to go thru this then to need an op. I have heard of the ultra sound device. how did u find it? I broke my midshaft humerus 15 weeks ago, it is slow healing too. I have a brace on and am getting hydro therapy, this started 3 weeks ago in the hope that i wouldn't have a frozen shoulder. however today the physio said i do have a frozen shoulder. i wasn't that surprised to hear it cos my shoulder has been really painful the last few weeks. I see the consultant in 3 weeks, they have spoke about operating but dont want to because of risk to radial nerve and also my history. i broke my ankle badly 15 years ago which resulted in pins n plates and subsequently 8 operations, this was because of continual infections due to the metal work. this only happens to 1% of people seemingly.. i just hope it heals naturally. the problem is, the longer it is left the more muscle wastage/frozen shoulder problems arise. does anyone have experience of a frozen shoulder as result of broken humerus? i asked today how long it would take for my arm to be functional, the physio thought at least 3 months! I wish u all well in your recovery

jasper said...

Thank you for your support. The manufacturer of the Exogen device claims 86% heal rate for non-union fractures. Keep in mind this is the manufacturers claim and some doctors say that they are not sure it really makes much, if any, difference. The unit is easy to use. It is quite expensive to purchase if your insurance company doesn't cover it.

I have frozen shoulder too. Several physio appointments helped a lot to aleviate sholder pain and improve range of motion. My bone is stuck together enough that I can do physio but I cannot get very agressive with it. My ROM is no where near normal.

The doctors here have been very reluctant to operate earlier because of the risk of radial nerve damage. I am in my mid 40's, not a smoker, have a good diet, take my vitamins, never broken a bone before, and do not have any systemic reasons for this not to heal.

Anonymous said...

Hey there, for all of you out there suffering through it please know it gets better. I am 16 weeks removed from a distal humerus fracture. I had surgery the day after the injury. 12 screws, 4-5 plates later it is almost as good as new. The only main issue I have is opposite from what everyone else is reporting. I have ulnar nerve damage.I was told it was damaged during the injury but I also swear they told me it gets damaged during surgery because it has to be moved in order to repair the type of break I had. Anyways, I have to manage the pain through the use of oxycodone. No OTC drugs offer the type of relief that oxycodone offers. However I have been giving the ok to resume regular activities without restrictions. Hell yeah

Hummer3 said...

Hey you guys,

Almost 3 months since my accident, I have a follow up appoint in 2 days orthopedic department, I should hopefully hear good news.

I have like stated earlier been letting my arm dangle and do figure eights from the shoulder, because after 2 months my shoulder popped out of the socket and I've been in extreme pain.

Shoulder pain, gone, more mobility,

Wrist drop, weak, but able to slightly raise it,

Trying to extend figures, index finger goes further than middle, ring and little finger, overall finger extent ion is poor and still un able to do thumbs up position,

Still have areas of numbness, on the top of thumb, and in between thumb and index finger, (web area/pressure point region)

Still on multi vitamins, and additional calcium pills,

Minimal coffee, and alcohol consumption and these absorb calcium and essentially slow born progression,

I dont have any humeral pain, anymore, and if you do, suggest not taking NSAIDs this also slows down the calcium progression..

Must agree, it's been a female dog, having this facture,

I can't do my job currently... And didn't have medical insurance and I've put on 25lbs in weight!

Can't wait to be able to sleep on my tummy.

Really dislike laying up right with pillows..


Keep the faith,

Rosie said...

Hi all - I broke my humerus towards the shoulder over 8 weeks ago and have been in a brace for the last 5 weeks. Having started with a displaced fracture, the gravity cast pulled the bone back into alignment, but from introduction of the brace, my forearm, wrist and hand swelled to "Nutty Professor" levels. I went back to Trauma clinic and there is still some movement although positioned correctly. The doc seemed most concerned about my elbow, so told me to keep my arm down, which doesn't help the swelling. Any suggestions ? Could really do with advice on pain medication, exercises and anything to get me back to normal. Many thanks in advance....

Anonymous said...

hi everybody out there. I broke my left humerus (mid shaft spiral fracture) in a car accident about 7 weeks ago, I am in a plastic brace and hand sling. I must say the first three weeks were unbearable. I still sleep sitting up. my doc told me that i will start the rehab in 10 days time. my arm has no strength now. i was told it will take up to six months to regain 80% of normal strength. i am lucky i did not need to go for surgery. in fact i am lucky to be a live and writing these words.
i am looking forward to get rid of the brace and hand sling. I really enjoyed reading all comments on this blog. my best wishes to all of you out there suffering from humerus fracture.

Debbie said...

hi everyone. i posted earlier. i have had some good news and wanted to share it as it might help u feel there is light at the end of he tunnel! my bone is starting to heal 18 weeks after my accident and at last the brace has been removed. its pretty sore as i've got a frozen shoulder and am doing physio but i'm delighted i don't need surgery, mainly because of my previous complications with metal work/infections. i've had a stinking headache since brace removed (side of broken arm). i think its due to neck/shoulder pain from dangling arm! this is a long old recovery...i'm still not working and its going to be months yet...but i feel i've turned a corner. i wish u all well in your recovery.

Debbie said...

Jasper
Thanks for the info on Exogen. Have you had surgery yet?

Chris said...

hi Debbie
very pleased you feeling much better and bone is healing. I am still in a plastic brace and hand sling. I have been like this since 7 weeks ago. I have not started the physio yet. i feel a little better than three weeks ago. all the very best wishes

Rosie said...

Thanks Debbie - I will keep faith - I was on a bit of a downer - had assumed everything would go well and after 8 weeks would start physio. I guess everyone's bone density, size and mend rate is different.

Anonymous said...

Hello All,I had a three part fracture of my Humerous bone in Feb this year,it has a delayed union,doc says i can go back to work on light duties,i have full movement of arm and he says i might have good fiberous union,Iam 58yo,and have not got thin bones as i have had the scan,how long does it take for the bone to repair,i have little pain,please anyone help as i feel im going mad.

jasper said...

Hi Debbie.

This has been a rollercoaster ride. I have not had surgery yet. I am on a waiting list hich takes several months unless you are considered an emergency. I had x-rays again and the Dr. thinks it may yet heal on it's own. He will check it again in a couple months and if it has not healed by then, will consider surgery. He is calling this a delayed union and I am about 6 months behind.

Anonymous said...

Hey again-willycrash here.

5 weeks out from the midshaft humerus fracture and two weeks into the cuff and collar-actually doc said I could ditch the sling the other day so I did.

X-ray shows some “fluffy infiltrate of calcium" within the hematoma around the bone-this is alleged to be good. Not surprisingly my shoulder is pretty messed up and it seems i sprained my wrist pretty badly when I broke the humerus. Elbow’s kind of messed up too.

hoping to be able to do some real physio in 4 weeks - weight bearing physio rather than just working the wrist and fingers and dangling figure 8s I’ve been doing since my cast came off.

also got released to sleep flat...still sucks though cuz of how messed up my shoulder is.... I also ran out of percocet and dude won't give me anymore lol...I suppose i could beg but I won't...still, one gets used to taking it at night to make sleep possible.

one interesting thing about all of this is i was a long time trauma ICU nurse and we pretty routinely plated or pinned our multi traumas with humerus fractures simply because you kind of have to d/t pt's being unable to wear a sling or have arm dangling in a cast for traction...while also stuck in bed with a bunch of other broken things plus head injuries, liver lacerations, lung contusions and such....anyway, so now I’m in a ICU consulting job and the docs i work with (not orthopods but intensivists) were all over me in the 1st couple weeks badgering me to get a second opinion or trying to refer me to some ortho surgeon friend who would plate my fracture. Apparently having them plated isn't nearly as risky as you hear...mainly, it's more expensive....or at least that’s what these docs all keep telling me. Of course I was a good patient and didn’t try to make a end run around my orthopedist or insurance company and i continue to suffer like the rest of you...in solidarity...lol.

none-the-less I can't help but wonder if the conservative cure (traction cast/cuff and collar) isn’t harder on a person than a quick surgery might be....you throw in loss of physical activity, weight gain and the shoulder problems and it leaves me wondering if there isn’t a better way, especially for us older folks...in fact i kind of think if i was a pro athlete, wealthy or a orthopedic surgeon myself, this might all be going a bit differently.

Hope I’ve been somewhat clear despite my one handed one fingered typing.

-willycrash

Anonymous said...

shhhhh...been swimming...dog paddling in the pool really...swim a lap after doing range of motion in the hot tub at the gym..it's really good for the frosty if not frozen shoulder and i can do stuff while submerged i wouldnt be strong enough to do on dry land...don't tell my doc though...hahaha...he's not much of a sports medicine kinda guy....he forbade the swimming part and still wont write for physical therapy 7 weeks out.

believe me if i was a pro ball player this isn't how this would be handled.

willycrash

Anonymous said...

hahaha just saw the doc again at 8 weeks 5 days from fracure...refuses to write for physical therapy...claims everything is going well bone healing great alignement ect ect but physical therapsist might "rebreak your humerus" by "pushing or pulling arm"...with prompting from me shows me two stretchs to do in the meantime for my trashed shoulder(till i see him again in a month)...intersting I had self prescribed same stretchs to myself a couple weeks ago...my insurance company should be paying me at this point hahaha... I now consider seriously a second opinion/new doctor

-willycrash

COLLEEN said...

ALL I CAN SAY IS "THANK YOU" FOR SHARING YOUR EXPERIENCE AND ALL OF THE VALUABLE INFORMATION IN YOUR BLOG. I AM A 40 YEAR OLD FEMALE WHO TOOK A FALL FROM ON TOP OF A CATTLE GATE AND BROKE MY HUMERUS 3 WEEKS AGO. I HAVE SO FAR EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUES AS YOU DID, ESPECIALLY BEING SO TIRED, BUT NOT BEING ABLE TO SLEEP COMFORTABLY. YOUR X-RAYS LOOK IDENTICAL TO MINE, WHICH AT THIS POINT WAS MAKING ME WONDER IF THEY WERE OK. DR. SAYS NO SURGERY TO STRAIGHTEN THE BONES, BUT I KEEP QUESTIONING IT IN MY MIND. I DON'T WANT TO GET A FEW MONTHS OUT AND HAVE THEM TELL ME THEY NEED TO RE-BREAK IT AND DO SURGERY TO STRAIGHTEN IT! AFTER SEEING YOUR X-RAYS, I NOW UNDERSTAND THE HEALING PROCESS A BIT BETTER, AND WILL GIVE MY DR. THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT. I WILL USE YOUR BLOG AS A GUIDE FOR WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT IN THIS NIGHTMARISH PROCESS, AND AS A SOURCE OF ENCOURAGEMENT! I AM NOT SURE IF YOU REVISIT THIS BLOG ANYMORE, BUT IF YOU DO, OR IF ANYONE IS READING, I AM WONDERING AT WHAT POINT I MIGHT BE ABLE TO START SLEEPING ON MY OPPOSITE SIDE OR BACK FLAT? THE RECLINER SLEEPING IS GETTING OLD! THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL OF YOUR VALUABLE INSIGHT AND CONGRATS ON YOUR RECOVERY!

COLLEEN said...

JUST CURIOUS TO HEAR HOW ALL OF YOU ARE DOING, AS MOST OF YOU POSTED AUGUST-OCTOBER, SO IT HAS BEEN A FEW WEEKS. IT IS INTERESTING AND INSPIRING TO HEAR OTHER'S STORIES OF WHAT I AM GOING THROUGH. STILL 3 WEEKS OUT AND FEELING SORRY FOR MYSELF FROM TIME TO TIME! WILLYCRASH, I HAD WONDERED ABOUT WARM WATER THERAPY. DID YOU FEEL ANY PAIN WHILE DOING IT? I HOPE YOU DID SEEK OUT A SECOND OPINION. I ALSO EXPERIENCED THE BUMPY RIDE TO THE ER. WE WERE OUT IN A RURAL PASTURE 80 MILES FROM THE HOSPITAL. LONGEST RIDE OF MY LIFE, EVEN WITH THE MORPHINE. THOUGH NOT LIFE THREATENING, I THINK THE HELICOPTER WOULD HAVE BEEN THE SMOOTHER WAY TO GET TO ER! MY 3 SONS DO MOTOCROSS, AND SO FAR WITH MINOR INJURIES, BUT AFTER READING YOUR STORY, I AM READY TO SELL THEM! TAKE CARE TO ALL AND I HOPE YOU ARE ALL MENDING WELL!

Anonymous said...

Hey colleen the swiming is usually good. I usually soak in a whirlpool for about half an hour and do easy range of motion then eventually stretch-try to lock fingers together behind head-at three weeks you would be too early to do something that agressive-your callus would be too soft- maybe at 6 weeks. you can use your fingers to crawl hand up the wall too like itsy bitsy spider after maybe 6 weeks. at three weeks letting arm hang while slightly leaned over and use trunk rotations to gently allow arm/hand to rotate in circles would be the safest-don't use arm muscles to make the rotations quite yet.anyway at some point around six weeks, swimming -very gentle swimming has been mostly good for me. i'm now at ~9 weeks able to sort of do the crawl or breast stroke-0at 1st unable to raise arms high enough to do anything but weak dog paddle. my problem now is i keep over doing it and then have horrible shoulder pain at night so there's that.

my doc still won't write for PT d/t his claim physical therapist would "break my arm". he either doesnt like physical therapist or his PT people suck. in any case just got my GP to write for Pt eval of shoulder since i'd be waiting another 3 weeks to get Pt otherwise. not sure why this guy is such a prude lol but if he can't trust his own Pts not to break my arm why would I want to see them ever?

willycrash

COLLEEN said...

Well, just about 6 weeks since break. Feel like I can take on the world, compared to a few weeks ago! Willycrash, thanks again for the info on swimming. Gonna have to try that. Need to find a warm indoor pool first! Haven't started therapy yet. Just waiting for word from the doctor. Hope you finally got your therapy started and dumped the bone doc! Everyone else must be all healed up and back to their normal lives from this site! Checking out!

orthopedic surgeon nyc said...

I liked your response. You are really a very strong person to be admired. Keep posting. :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Colleen
Sorry to hear about your break. It is 7.5 months since I broke my right humerus (midshaft). My bone still hasn't healed fully, but is healing. I managed to avoid an operation, however had a brace on for 5 months which resulted in a frozen shoulder. I had hydro therapy in the warm pool with the physio at my local hospital. This started about 3 months after the break and was great in terms of getting some movement. Since then I've been getting intensive physio, painful but it is paying off now. My shoulder is still frozen and arm very weak but I can move it and it is functional to an extent now. Perhaps you could enquire about hydro therapy?

Anonymous said...

Hi Everyone,
So good to read your stories! I'm 20 weeks post transverse mid shaft fracture of my left humerus. I got knocked over roller skating (something I have done for 25 years without so much as a sprained toe!)
So far I have very minimal callus forming and have to wear brace all the time still.
I'm in the UK and I think things work a little differently here. I'm seen in fracture clinic by an orthopaedic consultant at regular intervals.
My frustration is that the goals change every time I'm seen. Each time they say, "if it's not healing better next time, we'll pin it" but then they send me away again. It will be 6 months by the time I go back next and my whole life is on hold until I can use my arm again.
I feel less 'abnormal' having read the stories on here, so thank you all again.
Fiona

Anonymous said...

new bone doc, big ten university hospital sports medicine clinic for great physiotherapy and started doing yoga classes...everything going much better...took motorbike for ride...on frozen lake (studded tires) traction so good flipped bike over on the throttle and broke my distal radious same arm...hahahahaha...not actually all that humerus...surgery to reduce it on monday...what a f'n year!

willycrash


ps yoga is amazing for the shoulder problems...in this case hot yoga-95-100 degrees in the room which helps loosen us oldsters up

Anonymous said...

I'm going on 7 weeks in the brace. Sleeping is the worst part...with the elbow, forearm, and hand swelling. This has been the best blog...good to know I'm not the only one. But it is frustrating! I'm an active person...sitting on the couch is not my game.

Anonymous said...

It's been four months since breaking humerus. I think my muscle has detached from upper arm,bulge in lower arm. Anybody have this? Numbness in upper and lower arm.

Tyu said...

Hello, just want to get this blog going again. I know there are people with broken humerus's out there! I'm 9 weeks in with my comminuted mid to distal humerus fracture. I had a closed reduction, sling/u brace for 1.5 weeks and then a brace from then on. My x rays at 6.5 weeks showed no to very, very little callus formation. Doctor prescribed Exogen ultrasound therapy so hopefully that will help. If not, he says I'll have to get surgery. I hope it heals soon without surgery.

Tyu said...

Hello, just want to get this blog going again. I know there are people with broken humerus's out there! I'm 9 weeks in with my comminuted mid to distal humerus fracture. I had a closed reduction, sling/u brace for 1.5 weeks and then a brace from then on. My x rays at 6.5 weeks showed no to very, very little callus formation. Doctor prescribed Exogen ultrasound therapy so hopefully that will help. If not, he says I'll have to get surgery. I hope it heals soon without surgery.

Anonymous said...

LOL Jasper my humerus was broken in the middle area while as well how freaky is that

Anonymous said...

While skiing sorry

Gladys said...

hi everyone.its been 5 weeks since i broke my left humerus in transverse just above my elbow. im in a splint for the first week.then a cast for my 2nd abd 3rd wk,then replace it again on a splint for 2 weeks.tom will be my check up i am expecting that the dr will replaced it with a brace.

Gladys said...

hi everyone.its been 5 weeks since i broke my left humerus in transverse just above my elbow. im in a splint for the first week.then a cast for my 2nd abd 3rd wk,then replace it again on a splint for 2 weeks.tom will be my check up i am expecting that the dr will replaced it with a brace.

Unknown said...

Hi everyone. I'm enjoying reading everyone's post. It has now been 12 weeks or so (May 07, 2017) since I had a complete break of my humerus, mid-shaft from a horseback riding fall, have been riding most of my 49 years, first broken bone. I was able to avoid surgery being a perfect candidate for a humeral cuff. I was put in a splint for 10-12 days before hand at the ER. I immediately began vascular therapy at home to help with circulation and recovery. At my 3 week check-up x-rays showed new bone growth. It was a nice surprise when the orthopedic stated that most people my age do not see new growth for up to 6 weeks or more. At this point the Dr told me I could take the humeral cuff off for brief periods such as for showers...YAY!!I could also get apply vascular therapy directly over the break. This helps by increasing blood flow in the tiniest of micro-vessels. At my 12 (Aug 1, 2017) week follow-up, after my x-ray's , the Dr walked in and stated she had never in her 6 years seen a humeral fracture heal so fast, says I'm the poster child for the humeral cuff...lol! At 6 days shy of 3 months since my break, I had enough bone growth that she told me I could throw away my humeral cuff an resume normal activities as I'm comfortable. At this point, I can raise my arm straight out above me, almost above my head although I don't have as much movement moving my arm/shoulder out to the side. I have not gone to physical therapy. My Dr asked me if I wanted to. She didn't enforce it since I'm coming along so well. My arm itself feels very strong. I return to the Dr on Sept 26 ( My son's 21st bday..crazy!) to see how the bone is restructuring. Excited to see. Wish I could share pics here. Here's to everyone and their recovery! Wish there were a way to share images.

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Anonymous said...

I fell on a cruise ship and fractured my humerus midshaft about 4 months ago. I have delayed union as well. I still have pain and swelling in my hand. Using the exogen 4000 for about 3 weeks now. Dr says he sees New growth but radiologist sees no change. Very frustrating. I'm 60 so I know it takes longer but I'm so tired of hurting and not being able to do stuff.