Anyone had distal humerus fracture

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Countrychic

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I broke mine a few weeks ago and it's been plated and pinned. I was just wondering how quickly you returned to riding? Im going totally mad, i neeeeeed to ride! Also might sound crazy but I was wondering about an elbow guard like they wear for mountain biking because the bone won't be healed yet. Do you think it would be worth it?
 
many years ago i had a mid-shaft humerus fracture, pinned and plated. tbh unless you are contemplating getting on a horse you trust 100% so you don't need to use that arm at all, i really wouldn't. give it time to heal. bones mend brilliantly if given time, and it'll be as good as new. the plate will speed things up anyway iirc... but even without, i think 6 weeks is the minimum for bone, isn't it? comfrey oil (bone knit) should help speed things up a bit too...
sounds as if you need a really good book. ;) ;)
 
i broke my humerus last january, and it was september when i finally got the cast off. i didn't get it plated or pinned though, i just tried to let it heal naturally, but it took a while to fuse.

I was back riding in my cast after about 3 months but i regret starting back that early. I think i put too much strain on my arm and my bones healed a wonky shape! I have a banana shaped arm now. I ride with very light contact anyways but i found turning and holding a contact really hard. also the extra strain while mounting or untacking i found really hard. If I look back now i would have eased off on the riding and just done more of the correct physio!
 
Countrychic said:
Do you think it would be worth it?
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No :( I broke my distal radius in September, it was pinned but thankfully not plated. My plaster finally came off end of November and I rode as soon as I could but seriously, don't push it. I had days where a short ride left me in agony for a week. Be patient is my advice :)
 
^^^ please don't discount this.
there have been other threads with comments about impatient riders not letting ankles and knees heal for long enough and being left with a permanent/chronic problem. a few months now until it feels absolutely 100% is absolutely worth it if the end result is an arm that is as good as new (as mine is, it's my dominant arm and i can honestly say that i don't think about the old injury from 1 decade to the next, it's that good).
either chuck horse(s) out or get someone else to ride them so you aren't tempted at all. there's always another season but not another arm if you banjax it now... ;) ;) ;)
 
Aarggh not what I wanted to hear. Better not let hubby read this. My plan from the start has been to start showjumping 1 horse in 6 weeks. The other 2 are hot/strong rides and I'm not planning on riding them for months. I can't face anymore daytime tv, books and the horsey sites are depressing me. Self pity, me? Lol
 
you'd be surprised the amount of strain your arm goes through even riding quiet horse. I know exactly the frustration you feel as I was the same, but it's honestly worth the extra time.

there is no way in hell you would be able to do showjumping in six weeks with a pinned arm without straining it. Even simple riding gets difficult with a broken arm. I found even basic stuff a strain
- keeping contact even when one arm is weaker
- the strain of getting bend in a horse when your muscles are damaged through the break
-trying to stay straight in your back when the weight of your cast has twisted you over a few months
- the muscles and ligaments in your arm will be damaged because of the break, and you will really notice some movement will be limited.

I was absolutely determined and stubborn and got back riding too early. I did cross country when my muscles were still wonky and had a fall and damaged the arm further.

I had thought i was being sensible and did two months on a horse riding machine before i rode, but theres no comparison between that and the jolts and pulls you get while riding.

I know how frustrating it is, but i really, really regret riding too early as it took my injury longer to heal. It's only a full year and 4 months later that I an actually keep an even contact and turn correctly.

If it was to happen again to me I would do it 100% differently. I would spend my time studying theory, watching videos, doing simple groundwork, staying on the horse riding machine, doing simple pilates and yoga, doing my physio and trying to learn as much other horsey stuff as I could while I wasn't distracted by riding!
 
TBH I'd play it safe and follow orthopaedic advice.

I broke my elbow a few years back now, it was misdiagnosed in A&E, not plated and I was told to keep the arm mobile. The result is that my arm does not straighten beyond about 150o and I have a constant dull ache in the joint.

Be patient, let it heal and you won't end up like me!
 
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