broken shoulder

[bethan1994]

i broke my shoulder 6 weeks ago and have seen 5 different doctors each with differing advice. They still havent decided whether to operate and its all very disconcerting as my life is in limbo. Just really not happy with my treatment and consultant so dismissive of me today. Has anyone had a similar problem

Not a shoulder but my brother injured his knee and had the same dilemma. Ended up needing multiple hours of surgery and a skin graft a year later when if he had received the right care at the beginning he wouldn't of needed the surgery. I'd push for an answer or a second opinion

I can certainly empathise. I broke my shoulder a month ago. I had a head injury at the same time which I totally accept was more pressing at the time but my shoulder was pretty much ignored. I didn't even get a sling for 48 hours until I'd googled my specific injury and seen that it was supposed to be immobilised. When an orthopaedic doctor finally came to see me, 2 days after I was admitted to hospital he just muttered "You don't need an operation" and walked off. I've not had any follow up except a phone call from a physio who was shocked that I'd not been given any exercises or anything until then. Fortunately it seems to be getting more mobile now though its still extremely painful, especially trying to sleep at night, and frankly, nobody is remotely interested.
Sorry, I know that's no help but just wanted to say that you are not alone.

I fell and dislocated my shoulder and broke the top of my arm. Shoulder was put back in under sedation same day .I saw an orthopaedic consultant the next day and was re xrayed 4 weeks later . I then had 6 weeks of shoulder physio and was finally able to drive 10 weeks after initial injury. It happened two years ago this month and I now have 90% full range of movement. Good luck…it was the most painful injury I have ever had but you will improve with regular exercises that a physio should give you .💐

thank you; it is helpful to hear of your experience, but also quite shockin to learn of the poor care you received

thank you for support

@Arrierttyclock

Not a shoulder but my brother injured his knee and had the same dilemma. Ended up needing multiple hours of surgery and a skin graft a year later when if he had received the right care at the beginning he wouldn't of needed the surgery. I'd push for an answer or a second opinion

...or indeed a 6th opinion.....

It seems unlikley OP would have seen 6 consultant shoulder surgeons, which, at the end of the day is the only opinion that really matters. Much more likely to have been junior orthopaedic trainees, followed by whichever consultant was on call, followed by a consultant Shoulder surgeon.

It's almost impossible to say what the correct answer is from the information given, but the most recent big trial of operative vs non-operative management of shoulder fractures (in over 65s) said there probably wasn't much difference in outcomes between the two treatments. An expert shoulder surgeon should be discussing with you the relative risks and benefits of each type of treatment so you can make an informed decision as to which treatment you would prefer....

...that said, at 6 weeks, the die is pretty much cast and the fracture would normally have started to heal, making surgery more difficult that it may have been earlier. Not to say non-operative treatment was wrong, but it sounds as though it ought to have been explained better.

l saw a consultant twice, an associate specialist twice, and then the shoulder specialist. They seem to be blame shifting onto me and it's been a complete hotchpotch. Makes me want to go for BUPA as l doubt l would have been treated so badly