Update on Humerus Break

[diana1998]

Saw the top man at Addenbrookes yesterday 3 weeks after my break. X-ray showed bone in place and looking good. He said 12 weeks in brace and sling or have the op. No decision made till next appointment in 3 weeks. I felt horrified at the thought of not driving for a total of 12 weeks instead of 6 like my niece. He explained a break under the shoulder heals quicker than mine which is in the middle. My family are against the idea of an op but he said it's very straightforward. Any pmr friends bitten the bullet? He said recovery would be quicker. This morning I'm thinking, 12 weeks is up on 7th Nov so what the hell!

[Fatsiajaponica]

Hi Diana, glad that you are more comfortable now after the initial shock and pain of the injury. I may be wrong but I would think most people of a certain age would want to avoid an operation with all that entails? November 7th will come soon enough for you to complete the Christmas shopping and get organised🤣, go well.

[diana1998 in reply to Fatsiajaponica]

Thank you for your comments. I get your point Going to see how things have progressed in next 3 weeks.

Keep thinking of all the pmr folk who've had knee and hip ops with anaesthetic and my mum had new hip at 83. Good as new after 6 weeks. 12 weeks sounds a bit daunting. I can use my fingers at least but not the arm yet. Hope you're doing well with pmr. 😊

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Did you ask about anaesthesia during the op? It may be a shoulder block and sedation rather than a GA, safer for older patients, so worth asking.

[diana1998]

I didn't to be honest. I didn't ask all the right questions but will make a list next time in 3 weeks and definitely ask. He said anaesthetic but will query. Thank you.

[HeronNS]

In case this wasn't mentioned to you, my orthopod told me to add Vitamin C to my bone-healthy supplements. Already taking a calcium supplement which includes some micronutrients like boron, etc. Also magnesium, Vitamin D and Vitamin K2. Extra Vitamin C helps with healing a fracture. If the bone heals well you may avoid surgery. Best wishes.

[diana1998]

Many thanks. Will start taking vit C as usually only take it in the winter. Do eat loads of different fruit though including 2 kiwis.

[HeronNS]

He didn't say how much, but I asked a nurse on my way out of the clinic and she said usually 500 mg. I took 1000 for a few weeks, 500 morning and evening, and am still (4 months since fracture) taking 500 daily. Suppose I should start phasing it down a bit now as the bone must be fully healed, just residual stiffness from soft tissue damage.

[diana1998 in reply to HeronNS]

That's excellent.

[sandylo]

My orthopaedic consultant started me on physio after 5 weeks it was pure agony I refused the operation its now 20 years since the accident and my shoulder has dropped and I've got bad arthritis in it now, he did say that as I got older this would happen I lie on my left side in bed and that is the side I broke so I'm tossing and turning all night. I'm 80 now and going in for a hip operation soon this has been ongoing since 2010 had to be put off as I got breast cancer on the same side as my shoulder, then I had proctitus and diverticulitis and leg ulcers so had to hang on till all was OK. I don't wear a bra anymore as the strap keeps falling down with the dropped shoulder. All the best to you x

[diana1998 in reply to sandylo]

Many thanks.Oh poor you. What a lot to put up with. I have no shoulder pain as mine was a different break being in the middle, more unusual. Pain is round the back of the arm. The physio I've got for the first 4 weeks is just fist clenching, raising hand up and down from the wrist and shoulder rolls. Can't drop my arm straight down to my side quite yet. But it does say don't do anything that hurts. The next set at 4 -6 weeks look much harder. I shan't force anything.The very best of luck for your new hip op. My mother had her's done at 83 and said it was brilliant. Back to normal after 6 weeks and no pain at all. Physio was very important which she did religiously.