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Original poster

Broken arm still broken.......

18 replies

ZosieTatien · 26/05/2023 17:04

I broke my humerus in January. Hospital put me in a velcro type brace for 16 weeks. My last appt. at fracture clinic was in April, where they told me it hadn't healed so there was no longer any point in wearing the brace. They asked me if I wanted an operation to repair the broken bone with a metal plate (umm yes - I can't use my arm!) and then proceeded to try and talk me out of it. Apparently the soft tissue will fuse it together eventually and most people just live with it. Really?! Are you living your life with a broken bone?

OP posts:
Hellocatshome · 26/05/2023 17:17

Is it broken or fractured? If its not a full break then I have known this happen to a fee people and it has eventually sorted itself out. Can you not use your arm at all?

ChocHotolate · 26/05/2023 17:56

Hellocatshome · 26/05/2023 17:17

Is it broken or fractured? If its not a full break then I have known this happen to a fee people and it has eventually sorted itself out. Can you not use your arm at all?

A break is exactly the same thing as a fracture. Same meaning from both words

Hellocatshome · 26/05/2023 18:02

ChocHotolate · 26/05/2023 17:56

A break is exactly the same thing as a fracture. Same meaning from both words

Show quote history

Ok sorry should have said is it a partial fracture or full fracture?

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General health
eatdrinkandbemerry · 26/05/2023 18:03

I've had a small fracture in my wrist for 33 years. It occasionally hurts but a few weeks in a supportive bandage sorts it out.
It's a tiny fracture that would be difficult to operate on apparently.

Original poster
ZosieTatien · 26/05/2023 18:15

It's broken to the point that it needs a metal plate to fix it back together 😁not sure of the correct medical term. It's the long bone between shoulder and elbow. I can use my arm and hand from the elbow only - like a T Rex, but weaker.

OP posts:
FutureIsSlim · 26/05/2023 18:24

Are you eating plenty of protein? Broken bones need protein.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 26/05/2023 18:30

I broke my arm in January and needed a plate and screws to put it back together. I must say it still isn't right - I don't have full range of movement, and I wouldn't put weight on it (things like pushing a fire door or hitting a tennis ball are painful). So I can't say that getting a plate in guarantees a great outcome, and I wouldn't be in a rush to let them tinker further. The scar isn't attractive either.

Greybeardy · 26/05/2023 19:23

Orthopods love nothing better than doing operations…if they’re really not keen to operate that’s probably worth listening to.

GiveMyHeadPeaceffs · 26/05/2023 19:25

Sorry @ZosieTatien but I laughed at "like a T Rex but weaker"Grin

Original poster
ZosieTatien · 26/05/2023 19:32

TheYearOfSmallThings · 26/05/2023 18:30

I broke my arm in January and needed a plate and screws to put it back together. I must say it still isn't right - I don't have full range of movement, and I wouldn't put weight on it (things like pushing a fire door or hitting a tennis ball are painful). So I can't say that getting a plate in guarantees a great outcome, and I wouldn't be in a rush to let them tinker further. The scar isn't attractive either.

Do you think you could have managed if you didn't have the op? I'm not worried about the scar TBH. I just want to drive again.

OP posts:
Badbudgeter · 26/05/2023 19:36

I broke my wrist and it took about a year and needed a plate it took a year for it to be fully back to normal but I could drive within a couple of weeks so if that’s your priority I would go for the op.

nzborn · 26/05/2023 19:43

If its anything like my leg break I'd say go for the surgery as I was on a surgical waiting list for pins then they decided to go for a conservative approach and just keep me in a full leg cast for months I've never recovered.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 26/05/2023 20:57

Do you think you could have managed if you didn't have the op? I'm not worried about the scar TBH. I just want to drive again.

Impossible to know, but if they felt it needed surgery it probably did. Interestingly driving is difficult because I can't turn the wheel quickly enough - I have to hand it to my bad hand with my good hand. And the scar is not a superficial one - the scar tissue goes down the the bone, and is painful because it seems to have incorporated a nerve which gets pulled by the scar fibres.

I'm not saying don't do it, just that there is a reason they aren't rushing to surgery if the break may heal without it.

Original poster
ZosieTatien · 26/05/2023 21:00

Thank you so much. You've given me a lot to think about.

OP posts:
allthecats1982 · 26/05/2023 21:01

I broke my arm at 15 on a school trip (couple of weeks before the GCSEs exams so my mum was just thrilled obviously 🤣) I had two attempts in hospital to straighten it but not an ideal outcome. They said I could have further surgery but only when I finished growth treatments and my bones were finished growing. I didn't go back so I have a forever curve in my lower right arm. It's a good story but I get old lady aches every winter now. I think 25yrs on it's a bit late to fix!

SquidgersMummy · 26/05/2023 21:04

I broke my arm 2 years ago. I chose to have it plated. I have 2 small children and couldn't just wait around. It was a day op - I was home by tea time. My scar was glued and now is hardly visible. My arm was perfectly repaired. I had some frozen shoulder issues from the sling. Physiotherapy didn't help - it was trying too much too soon. Pilates freed it up. No regrets at all!!

SquidgersMummy · 26/05/2023 21:07

(Meant to include: I have less strength on that side but I'm currently working on it, have bought some weights. My mobility is 90% compared to the other arm. No one would notice in day to day life. If I don't exercise sometimes it aches a bit in my sleep. It's a helpful reminder to get my arse moving.....)

Original poster
ZosieTatien · 26/05/2023 22:10

@SquidgersMummy
Thank you

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