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
You can and will.But listen to both your doctor and your body.What you will hear will sometimes be frustrating,other times encouraging.It comes with the territory of suffering a serious injury.Do not expect your body to work the way you remember it could,instead aproach it as a clean slate.
Make sure both your Dr and PT know what physical activity you were used to,what your goal is once your injury has healed and that both work with you in getting there.
After an injury a year ago,I was stuck with a surgeon who more or less rendered me immobile for 2 month and then refused to clear me for PT once my cast came off,and when I finaly forced the issue he wouldn't consent to half the stuff the PT was proposing.Needless to say,with each month I became more concerned that I saw very little if any progress yet he saw nothing wrong with that.I switched both surgeon and PT and was imediately put on a plan to regain my ability to run,and swim,and bike.I made clear that at 40 I was not ready to spend the rest of my life with a limp and unable to do normal daily activities,yet on my own I did not know HOW to change that and WHAT types of excersizes to do.I am back in the pool,swim a couple of miles a week-though my technique is still wonky,but improving,and I'm rediscovering my endurance by biking and running.I may never be back to 100%,but each day I DO something active I get closer to it.
You can and will.But listen to both your doctor and your body.What you will hear will sometimes be frustrating,other times encouraging.It comes with the territory of suffering a serious injury.Do not expect your body to work the way you remember it could,instead aproach it as a clean slate.
Make sure both your Dr and PT know what physical activity you were used to,what your goal is once your injury has healed and that both work with you in getting there.
After an injury a year ago,I was stuck with a surgeon who more or less rendered me immobile for 2 month and then refused to clear me for PT once my cast came off,and when I finaly forced the issue he wouldn't consent to half the stuff the PT was proposing.Needless to say,with each month I became more concerned that I saw very little if any progress yet he saw nothing wrong with that.I switched both surgeon and PT and was imediately put on a plan to regain my ability to run,and swim,and bike.I made clear that at 40 I was not ready to spend the rest of my life with a limp and unable to do normal daily activities,yet on my own I did not know HOW to change that and WHAT types of excersizes to do.I am back in the pool,swim a couple of miles a week-though my technique is still wonky,but improving,and I'm rediscovering my endurance by biking and running.I may never be back to 100%,but each day I DO something active I get closer to it.
