Elbow Fracture Recovery

[LizzieButton]

Hi ladies and happy Friday,

Last week I had a fall from my bike and was brought to hospital where I required stitches in my chin and when I was x-rayed it showed that I had an elbow fracture. I was put in a sling and told they will follow up with physio therapy in a few weeks. The pain isn't awful, I can manage it with painkillers. I have been off work now for one week and I am waiting for an appointment to see my GP as he is on holidays this week.

Has this happened to anyone else on here? I've just started a new job and am really worried about when I should return to work. The hospital told me very little. I am a Montessori manager so I am a desk for much of the day but I also need to be able to take in deliveries, serve food and have some physical abilities. I also won't be able to cycle to work so will need to get taxis to and from work but I really don't want to be missing for too long.

Does anyone have any advice for how long would be reasonable to take off work? I know the GP will be kind and will write a cert for me next week for however long I want but I want to give them a timescale sooner than that

Thank you so much for your help xx

I had a radial head fracture of my elbow. I was told to wear a sling for the first 2 weeks only, and then to only wear one when I felt I needed it - eg if out shopping. The physio sent me exercises to do over email, (all happened during lockdown), and told me it was important to do them and to stop wearing the sling as much as possible as it is the only way to get the movement back completely.

I'm working from home, so managed to work throughout.

I fractured my elbow in January but thoroughly shattered it and had to have it put back together with metal in surgery. The road to recovery is proving long and bumpy for me but since I've done this I've chatted to a few people who have fractured an elbow less severely in the past who have recovered well.

The absolute key is to start physio asap. I'd pay for it privately. I waited WEEKS for my NHS appointment and then the first one was over the phone. I bitterly regret not seeing a physio sooner. An elbow that is kept static even for a week may never fully extend again. I've heard of people being told to take their arm out of the sling daily and straighten their arm as fully as possible as this will help ensure you don't lose the facility to straighten it fully longer-term. If your injury will allow you to have a break from the sling and move it a bit from today onwards then it's important to do so.

Six months on for me and, even though my recovery is slow and I'm booked for more surgery later in the year, with a lot of physio and deliberately trying to use the broken arm as much as possible once it was out of the cast I've got to the point where I can lift heavy things (4 year old DD included!) but still have some way to go to get back to full strength.

It really depends how serious the fracture is. I broke my radial head in a fall 6 weeks ago, they said it was a simple fracture and just gave me a sling, but said to use the sling as little as possible. I only used it for a couple of days, and have been trying to use my arm as normal (pain permitting) I started driving 3 weeks after the accident and haven't bothered with physio, because I was using my arm. There's a bit of an ache but mobility is more or less normal

I was signed ok 6 weeks despite full time working from home for an ankle fracture. For me it’s the emotional impact and also the fact I’m not able to sit at a desk. One of my LM asked me how I was and in tears. Not good in a client facing organisation. If you are ok in yourself and can do tasks that are useful then you can go back whenever. I’m 5 years in however of my new job and protected somewhat. I am phasing back in part time. It’s also the sleepless nights which is a killer

An elbow that is kept static even for a week may never fully extend again
Unfortunately this is my experience. I agree, early physio is essential.

Do you not have a follow up appointment in the fracture clinic?

@Annietheacrobat

Do you not have a follow up appointment in the fracture clinic?

No, they rang me yesterday to say I don't and to follow up with my GP

DD broke her elbow when she was in junior school. The doctor said she had 99% use back. Fast forward 20 years and she has had hours of severe pain and it's really sensitive to touch. Just be aware a broken elbow isn't like a broken leg.