In December I broke the head of my humerus--nice chip off that has been screwed back on and cracked the tiba plateau. Have just started walking with a hemi walker and PT doing passive lifting of my elbow--ouch times 100 (and my PT says I'm not a woose). I am allowed to let my arm dangle from my shoulder and shrug my shoulders. All I can think about is getting back in the pool and moving my arm around. So scared that I won't have a full recovery. Anyone ever experienced these injuries? I'm 60 and know healing and recovery take longer. Next Dr. appointment on 29, should I ask if I can get back in pool?
Parents
Former Member
I had a similar injury about 12 years ago. I broke off a portion of the radial head and dislocated my elbow in a mountain biking accident. My range of motion was terrible. I could not rotate my wrist at all and could only extend my elbow to maybe 135 degrees. I suffered for about a year of very painful PT and a torture low load stretch device I that had to wear. I eventually got a second opinion. He ordered an MRI and I had surgery to remove the portion of the radial head that broke off. I now have arthritis in that elbow, but I do have about 95% of my range of motion. I was told it would deteriorate over time, but so far it hasn't. I think swimming has really helped me maintain the range of motion that I have.
Oddly enough it was on the same exact day 20 years earlier that I broke the humerus in that very same elbow.
It may take time, but you can do it. Ask questions and if things are progressing get a second opinion. Good Luck.
I had a similar injury about 12 years ago. I broke off a portion of the radial head and dislocated my elbow in a mountain biking accident. My range of motion was terrible. I could not rotate my wrist at all and could only extend my elbow to maybe 135 degrees. I suffered for about a year of very painful PT and a torture low load stretch device I that had to wear. I eventually got a second opinion. He ordered an MRI and I had surgery to remove the portion of the radial head that broke off. I now have arthritis in that elbow, but I do have about 95% of my range of motion. I was told it would deteriorate over time, but so far it hasn't. I think swimming has really helped me maintain the range of motion that I have.
Oddly enough it was on the same exact day 20 years earlier that I broke the humerus in that very same elbow.
It may take time, but you can do it. Ask questions and if things are progressing get a second opinion. Good Luck.
