Any Physios out there who can spare a minute for advice?

[ooItsAoBeautifulDayNow]

I shattered my humerus in a pretty serious car crash 18 months ago and have pins and plates now.

Is it normal for my arm to still be so painful this long after the op? I could cry some days it's so bad. Huge scar from the op - had around 40 staples - which seems to be hurting less now but it's the inside that's agony.

Have been given some exercises by my physio and kind of left to it. A course of hydrotherapy a few months after the op really seemed to help at the time - would it make a big difference to have some more hydro at this stage?

I can swim alone as I have epilepsy as a result of the accident so have been told I need to be accompanied in the pool.

So experts - would you expect a patient to be in lots of pain this long after the op and would you recommend more hydrotherapy?

Any advice would be amazing!

i can't* swim alone

Not a physio so i hope someone with more experience comes along but....

I have an ankle that aches when i walk, i injured that when i was twelve; and a shoulder that aches in the cold, is weaker than the other and deconditions quicker from a car crash 5 years ago. For a good three years after i wore scarves much of the year because draughts were excruciating on my neck. I dont think its unusual for these things to leave a mark on the body that working on does necessarily remove but definitely improves the more constantly you keep at it.

With pins watch for changes in weather and wet weather. Make sure you are keeping the area warm. You might find heat and/or cold packs good for pain relief.

Yes if you are still in pain definitely try for another batch of hydrotherapy.

Thanks @GreenEggsHamandChips - same here with the hot / cold weather! Always thought it was an urban myth but it really does affect it. Still trying to work out the optimum temperature to stop it hurting so much. Sorry to hear yours still hurts too :(

If the hydrotherapy helped before maybe you could have a few more sessions. Continue with the exercises as you may well still have some muscle weakness/ joint restriction. Removal of the screws and plates may be an option in the future. Perhaps see your GP for referral back to physio and ask if review by your orthopaedic consultant would be of benefit.