Broken shoulder, DH in agony

[Scottishflower65]

Hi all, DH, early 60s, has had a displaced broken shoulder since last Sunday. After a day in total agony, he attended A&E. The X-ray showed the ball is shattered and the socket is also broken. He was told he would need a CT scan to decide whether it could be pinned or needed a whole shoulder replacement. He was sent home with strong painkillers. These are ok when totally immobile but standing, lying down, any movement really causes horrible pain. He cannot manage anything that involves movement without me basically hauling him about (as gently as I can). He heard nothing until Thursday when he was told to come for a CT scan the following day. This confirmed the shoulder damage in more detail and he was told it would be looked at by the case team that day. Heard nothing so far. Just feeling so sad for him.

Poor man, how did it happen. Is the swelling new or was it and the bruising seen by the doctor.

He needs Oramorph for breakthrough pain. Pretty standard for a shoulder. You also need to call Pals on Monday. Start a complaint process and get this situation resolved quickly. Hoping your husband gets a resolution quickly

He fell onto a hard surface.
Yes, the swelling and bruising was there from his first appointment.
I’ve been told by a relative who works there that nothing will happen over the weekend as it’s emergency surgery only, to save lives etc. I’ll be on the phone first thing Monday.

Monday is so far away with him in this much pain OP - I would call 111 and if they think appropriate, they can put you in touch with an out of hours GP (often a video appt is good) who can see if they think they can prescribe some stronger pain relief in the meantime.

To avoid overcrowding in A&E sometimes 111 are referring people to calls with a nurse who can then escalate to a doctor if needed.

I would try 111 today as having been in that much pain, 24 - 48 hours more in agony is so, so long

No more than 8 co codomol in 24hrs, severe pain takes its toll on the body, I wouldnt leave it till Monday. I would call 111 to get better painkillers at least and a sling might be better. Surgery if needed does happen at weekends.

We initially called 111 on Tuesday as advised to do so and not just turn up at A&E. You are then supposed to get a time to attend A&E to prevent overcrowding. First a call handler, then a few hours later a nurse called back, then a few hours later a doctor - who then said just to go to A&E as there are no appointments! I think there would be no chance of getting a doctor before midnight at the earliest on a Saturday night. I’ll try in morning though. My DH also doesn’t like making a fuss - hence I had to threaten to call an ambulance on Tuesday morning before he would even call 111. This was after two nights and a day where he was without any better painkillers than OTC ones and was crying out in pain. He was told the consultant would look at the scan at 5pm on Friday and they would get back to him. He assumed they meant that evening but nothing. I think he also made a mistake by telling them his wife was doing everything for him so that probably tipped him down the priority list. I’ve told him to tell them that yes, I had some emergency carers leave last week but need to go back next week. I won’t of course, will need to take annual leave now, but I think might help get him done sooner.

Chase daily all day 9 am 11am and so on- it sound awful - a week is not acceptable

Your poor DH.

It’s very lucky I started serious weight training 6 months ago although I never imagined it would be put to useful use. No way could I have lifted him to stand or braced him to sit before. I must confess to getting a bit tired now though as being woken several times a night is taking a toll. Trying not to let that show as I know it’s a million times worse for him - although I look a bit “wild woman” right now! He’s just said how much he appreciates me and he’d like to take me away for a pampering holiday once he is better. Brought a tear to my eye.

How's your DH getting on OP? Hope you managed to get some relief for him

Thanks for asking! We got the call today and he is being operated on Thursday.

This all just makes me feel so angry. I worked for several decades in hospitals and my OH was a doctor. Back in the day there is absolutely no way at all that your DH would have been sent home. He would have been admitted urgently to an orthopaedic ward, had all tests and x-rays straight away, been given adequate pain relief and had surgery the next day if that was what was needed. It is a bloody disgrace.
Successive governments have let the NHS slide into this mess.
I am currently in appalling pain (displaced disc and painful hip) and have had to go privately to get any help at all. NHS surgery wait list is for next year. I cannot take codeine or NSAIDs so am on a Butec patch which is a slow release opiod. But not appropriate for the sort of acute situation your DH is in.

I feel so angry on his behalf - this is a travesty of proper medical care.

@Mischance I am really sorry to hear about your pain. Chronic pain / conditions seem to be shoved to the end of the queue. I was told just to wait out my huge fibroid as eventually - like if I ever stopped having oestrogen in my system - naturally or HRT - it would shrink. Never mind the flooding / pain etc. Ended up going private too.

So update is that DH had the surgery today and already feeling much better as his broken bones are not rubbing together. Like the PP, I still feel a sense of disbelief that he was left in agony for so long. However, that seems to be the NHS now unfortunately.
Many thanks again for all the practical suggestions and kind wishes. MN at its finest.

Pleased. Speedy recovery.

@Oblomov22 thanks!

Very positive healing vibes to your DH. If he's having breakthrough pain with the meds he might find a TENS machine helpful. I swear by mine (two prolapsed lumbar discs & osteoarthritis in my hip).

Well thank goodness for that - some progress.

Sending best wishes. God I know exactly what he means by the feeling of them literally clattering together - the memory of it still makes me feel a bit light headed!

Do make sure that if he is left in pain then he can push to be referred to the pain clinic for ongoing pain management which can make a huge difference.

He’s already feeling so much better two days post replacement. @youvegottenminuteslynn Yes, the bones clattering together was just awful for him, utter agony, I’ve never had it and makes me feel lightheaded even imagining it. We are still struggling with some practicalities but getting there on everything, albeit slowly.

PS The co-codamol is now doing a grand job re pain relief.

Poor you OP. Glad it sounds like your DH is finally getting the help he needs

Pre- covid, My DM managed to break both her ankles falling down the stairs at home. She was strapped up by a and e and sent home with my DF. Both in their seventies. When she was sent home she asked how she was supposed to get from the car into her house and was told to crawl. In the end my DH has to carry her and it hurt both of their backs. She then spent around 2 months on the sofa at home as we were unable to get her up the stairs and she could not bear weight on her legs. No help at all. We had to buy a commode for her as we could not get her to the bathroom and back. Dreadful time. My elderly father helping her on and off the commode. Impossible for her to shower etc.

@thinkfast didn’t they get a discharge plan and carers at least? Sounds like another failure of NHS. Is your mum ok now?

Yes she's fine now. Thank you.

They had no discharge plan whatsoever! I complained and they eventually sent round an occupational health nurse who listed lots of equipment which would help her, said she should be in a hospital bed and not a sofa, and said the NHS wouldn't provide one. It was pure luck she didn't get bedsores or injure her back as a sofa is really not a great place to spend 24 hours a day for 2 months.

They only thing they did was install a banister on the short flight of 4 steps which she had fallen down. The banister was useless when she was recovering as she couldn't weight bear on either leg for 2 months. My parents bought a commode themselves.

It is awful . I broke my wrist quite badly pre-pandemic, admitted, morphined up, surgery the next day. Someone I know did something similar and was sent home for 9 days before surgery. I hope it gets sorted out soon