philamena
Well-Known Member
OK I'm back with an update - mainly because I'm excited that time is passing and I'm not still stuck right at the beginning of this process so this will prob only be interesting for me - forgive me indulging myself. 
Thank you to everyone who replied and explained what it had been like for you. It was really reassuring then, and is still so now!
It turned out I had a three part fracture of the proximal humerus, in quite big pieces, and one bit had got displaced and wandered off in front of the tendon and top of the bicep. Op was on 26 Feb so nearly 4 weeks ago now (am counting down, can you tell?!). Am so glad they operated as immediately that it was fixated it felt much more "secure". Once he got in, surgeon found he was also able to get it done with some screws rather than a plate.
Was astounded at how swollen and bruised the rest of the arm went and how painful it was all the way down and around the elbow from the swelling. Swelling's only just gone down to almost normal. Started very gentle physio immediately as surgeon very keen on not setting up compensations / frozen shoulder and siezed up elbow, so weekly NHS physio. Bally uncomfortable. As a sucker for punishnent, and determined to get best result, I've found a private sports physio who specialises in the shoulder, and have an extra set of exercises from him too to complement the NHS physio ones.
Showered throughout with dressing covered by carrier bag and gaffer tape (thanks TS!) and special waterproof sling made by OH out of more carrier bags and gaffer tape
Stitches out at 2 weeks, surprisingly small scar Even surgeon looked pretty pleased with himself at 2 week check up.
Now 4 weeks on, arm is almost normal size, 95% range of movement returned in elbow, wrist and hand strength nearly back to normal and I can proper pendulum swing with the best of them. And with a million strategically placed pillows, I can lie down to sleep, hurrah!! Next steps, start trying to rotate arm outwards (instructed not to thus far on pain of, well, pain and disrupting the bit of the break that's not screwed) and start trying to lift it. Suspect both will hurt!
So hoping that we're genuinely on the way now! Thanks again to everyone who took the time to post, super encouraging Can't wait to get back on, or even just be able to do stuff.
Thank you to everyone who replied and explained what it had been like for you. It was really reassuring then, and is still so now!
It turned out I had a three part fracture of the proximal humerus, in quite big pieces, and one bit had got displaced and wandered off in front of the tendon and top of the bicep. Op was on 26 Feb so nearly 4 weeks ago now (am counting down, can you tell?!). Am so glad they operated as immediately that it was fixated it felt much more "secure". Once he got in, surgeon found he was also able to get it done with some screws rather than a plate.
Was astounded at how swollen and bruised the rest of the arm went and how painful it was all the way down and around the elbow from the swelling. Swelling's only just gone down to almost normal. Started very gentle physio immediately as surgeon very keen on not setting up compensations / frozen shoulder and siezed up elbow, so weekly NHS physio. Bally uncomfortable. As a sucker for punishnent, and determined to get best result, I've found a private sports physio who specialises in the shoulder, and have an extra set of exercises from him too to complement the NHS physio ones.
Showered throughout with dressing covered by carrier bag and gaffer tape (thanks TS!) and special waterproof sling made by OH out of more carrier bags and gaffer tape
Stitches out at 2 weeks, surprisingly small scar Even surgeon looked pretty pleased with himself at 2 week check up. Now 4 weeks on, arm is almost normal size, 95% range of movement returned in elbow, wrist and hand strength nearly back to normal and I can proper pendulum swing with the best of them. And with a million strategically placed pillows, I can lie down to sleep, hurrah!! Next steps, start trying to rotate arm outwards (instructed not to thus far on pain of, well, pain and disrupting the bit of the break that's not screwed) and start trying to lift it. Suspect both will hurt!
So hoping that we're genuinely on the way now! Thanks again to everyone who took the time to post, super encouraging
Can't wait to get back on, or even just be able to do stuff.
