DS's arm is a very funny shape -is this normal after a break?

[NorbertDentressangle]

DS broke his arm a few years ago. All seemed to heal well and he doesn't have any problems with it however it is a very, very strange shape.

If he holds his arms out straight to the sides at shoulder level for example the previously broken one is not straight, it looks bent at the elbow at quite an angle.

Similarly if he puts them out straight in front of him, that one isn't straight

Is this OK? Or is it going to cause him problems as he grows (he's 9)?

He wasn't X-rayed when the plaster came off and we didn't have any follow up appointments.

It sounds like you need to see the GP and ask for a referral to a paediatric orthopaedic consultant to get this looked and and they can help you make some decisions.

Do you think they might need to do something about it then even if it doesn't give him problems?

What would they do?

Where was the break? Did it involve the elbow joint or was it very close to the elbow? It's extremely common to not regain full elbow extension (straightening) after a fracture that involves or is very close to the elbow.

Functionally, not being able to fully straighten your elbow usually causes no problems so unless it's bothering him I wouldn't worry.

The break was very close to the elbow.

As for the 'wonkiness' - its not so much that he can't straighten it I don't think, it almost looks like he's over-extending it.

If he stands with his arms out to the side to make a T shape (IYSWIM), palms facing up, the good arm is straight but the dodgy arm bends downwards from the elbow joint.

It tends to freak people out when they notice (which is why I've started this thread now as we've just stopped noticing but he freaked someone out with it today!)

I would get it checked out.
Quite possibly there is nothing they could have done to reliably make it look straighter, and if it doesn't cause him problems, then leave well enough alone.

Worth checking then. Lots of people can hyper extend (over straighten) their elbows, especially women but if it's different to his non-injured arm then there's no harm in getting it reviewed.

I'll probably mention it next time we go to GP then as I wouldn't feel that it would warrant an appt. on its own.

I meant to take a photo and put it on my profile so you could see what I mean but completely forgot.