Any physiotherapists about? Or anyone who has broken am elbow

[inkpad]

Hi,

I broke my right elbow almost 6 weeks ago, was in plaster for two weeks and have seen the physiotherapist once (due to see her again later this week).

I'm still in constant pain, not just the elbow joint but down to my fingers and up into my shoulder . My fingers still go cold and still randomly tingles. When I try to move my arm, my arm feels horrendous. Currently taking 30/500 co-codamol and 400mg ibuprofen but they don't seem to help anymore.

I am able to move my wrist ok, and can make a fist (physio exercises). I can't rotate my arm, and can flex my elbow (with pain) but can't extend it due to the pain physically stopping me.

Still unable to drive as can't straighten the arn enough to reach.
I've got no strength in my right arm at all

It doesn't help that my left arm is also difficult to move (severe soft tissue injury).

Surgeon said it was healing ok (no surgery needed) and bone should heal in 6 weeks. Physio said to expect the soft tissue stiffness to take 3 to 4 months on top.

Any one got any tips to make the healing quicker (or simply less painful)?

Moral - don't fall down the stairs again.

[CMOTDibbler]

I broke my elbow as part of a larger arm injury, and it sounds like you need more physio input. Getting movement back is going to be down to doing your physio really diligently. But it does sound like you are getting some nerve pain as well, so you need to talk to the physio about what might be causing that. IME, acupuncture (I had it with nhs physios) is really good at reducing inflammation and nerve pain

[Eva50]

I broke my elbow 18 months ago (fell backwards off the last 2 stairs - don't ask). It was nauseatingly painful for the first couple of days. I didn't have a plaster, just a sling, so yours may have been a worse break. I was able to drive after a fortnight and swim after three weeks. I haven't had many problems although I still can't lean on my elbow on a hard surface and I have been told (by surgeon) that it will never straighten completely again. It is slightly misshapen but it's not very noticeable. I think you should seek further advice.