Broken elbows anyone? (Radial head)

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jens

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Hi
I'm not sure this is the right place to post this so apologies if it isn't.

Has anyone ever broken their elbows riding, specifically the radial head? I came off my horse on the beach 6 weeks ago at a full gallop. He tripped and as I wasn't expecting it I pitched right off over his shoulder, arms outstretched.

My right radial head was smashed to pieces and couldn't be saved. I've now got a prosthetic radial head and am 5 weeks post op. I also broke my left radial head at the same time though it was a single inline break so didn't need treatment.

What I wondered was if anyone has had the same or similar injury and did you get back to riding. At the moment my right elbow is stuck at a 90degree angle. I can't really move it at all and it is still very painful. I am hoping to be sent for physio after my next consultants appointment next week but most of what ive seen online is pretty grim! Surely someone else has had similar? Looking for any rays of hope!
 
Wow, no experience of this so I can’t help but it sounds horrendous and you have my sympathy. Hope someone is along who can be more helpful x
 
I am sorry about your injury: having had injuries I know who frightening and frustrating it is.

I have not had this particular injury, but wanted to comment about the physio. I have never managed to get good physio on the NHS, but have found that paying for it has been 100% worthwhile. Even if you just have 2 sessions, it can give you some ideas on how and when to safely start to mobilise the elbow, plus a check to ensure it is all going to plan and how to then progress.
 
Haven't got any experience with this, but I know Harry Meade had serious injuries to his elbows a few years ago. Not sure what it was exactly that he did though and if your injuries are comparable.

Hope you can find someone able to help you, and fingers crossed for you at your next appointment
 
Thank you for your replies.
I am waiting for the all clear for physio and have already decided I'll do private on top of any nhs I'm given. From what I can gather nhs will only be interested in getting me some use back. I want as much as possible so will do my best to find a good physio to do this!

Harry Meade did similar to what I've done but from what I've read didn't have a replacement. I didn't have a choice as there were so many fragments of bone movement was impossible as they blocked the joint. It was pretty grim!

I'm only 35 and as well as the 3 horses have 2 small children so it's been tough! Really really hoping for the all clear to start physio and hopefully make some progress! It sucks having to rely on everyone for everything!
 
From what I know of elbow injuries, they can be a bit tricky to rehab- but it is possible to get a good result. Rehab usually starts at 6 weeks to allow the bone to heal so dont be tempted to do too much too soon; and will be gentle range of movement exercises and stretching then gradually building up to strenghtening. Your radial head is involved with wrist movements as well as movement at the elbow so thats why it can be tricky but if you have a good prosthesis you should be able to get back good function. Dont underrate your NHS physio, lots work private too and as long as you tell them your goals they will be happy to adapt your rehab to suit your needs, you can always ring ahead and request that you see a senior if you are concerned, but whoever you see will be happy to have a motivated patient!

- I have just recovered from a wrist fracture- not the same I know but rode the day after I fractured it, cast and all! If I am able to do that and Harry Meade is able to continue after having over 20 breaks in each arm I am sure you will be back riding soon
 
Hiya, sorry to hear you’ve had such a nasty accident.

My friends daughter broke both of hers at the same time, in a similar situation (horse tripped at full gallop, and she came off over the horses head). One required a full arm cast, the other was only strapped. I don’t know how long it took to heal, but she has full range of movement in both arms now.
 
If you are near to either of the injured jockey fund's rehab centres (Lamborne and Malton) it might be worth contacting them about physio.
 
So sorry about your nasty fall.

My OH broke one elbow last Autumn in a fall off his horse, and broke the other 6 weeks later falling off again! His injuries were no where near as bad as yours, one straightforward break, and the other a break with a floating bone chip. He payed for private physio, which in my experience is essential, but even so, its taken nearly a year to get full extension in the worst elbow.

I really hope you can get good help and make a good recovery.
 
Emilylou thank you that is really helpful. My wrist has indeed been disturbed too. The surgeon said due to them moving and hammering on the radius it can agitate the wrist too. My wrist was bruised a lot after surgery and is only just settling down. I am feeling very frustrated but mainly at myself! I'm always active and do everything myself so it's been very humbling to have to have help for everything. I can't even tie back my own hair!
I've been pretty much unable to do anything as movement is so so difficult. It just won't move!
I'm definitely determined to be a good physio patient as I fully intend to get back as much movement as I can, if not all!

Casey76. That's good to hear that your friends daughter has regained full movement! That's the sort of positive thing I need to hear. That it is possible to do! I initially had a full cast on my right arm due to the state of it to try and limit further joint damage until the surgery but my left has just had a sling and the instructions to use it gently!
 
Sprout said:
So sorry about your nasty fall.

My OH broke one elbow last Autumn in a fall off his horse, and broke the other 6 weeks later falling off again! His injuries were no where near as bad as yours, one straightforward break, and the other a break with a floating bone chip. He payed for private physio, which in my experience is essential, but even so, its taken nearly a year to get full extension in the worst elbow.

I really hope you can get good help and make a good recovery.
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Oh no that's really bad luck to break one then the other! Did it take a long time to get full extension in the straight break? Mine is pretty good for general movement but I can't fully extend it yet
Wow a year to regain full extension. I guess that might be what time scale I'm looking at then. Has he ridden again yet? I'm trying to be realistic with my horses and thinking I may have to let one go if I can't ride for a long time.
 
I did my radial head on right elbow about 8 years ago, although nowhere near as bad as yours by the sounds of it. Stable fractures.
It was disproportionately painful from memory, physio on it actually had me in tears. To this day I can’t fully straighten my arm - I’m hyper flexible so can invert the left arm. My right arm stops at a skewiff 170 degrees.
It’s achy in the cold and not quite as strong as the other but I can use it pretty normally. I think I was back in the saddle after 6-8 weeks but I didn’t have the extent of your injury.
 
OP you have my sympathy, and I hope you have a speedy (and full) recovery. I have lost nearly all of the radial head in both elbows due to an aggressive degenerative disease meaning that I have very little movement in my elbows or wrists. I am only a couple of years older than you, but my surgeon is currently fighting with the hospital (which is in special measures financially) for funding for replacement surgery whilst there is still enough bone to work with. Although I have had other major joints replaced the local CCG won't carry out elbow replacement in anyone under 40 unless it's required due to a catastrophic injury (so surgery would be required to stabilise the area anyway). I've been told that it is one of the more difficult joints to replace, but that if the surgery was unsuccessful I'd know/be told very soon after surgery. It sounds like your surgical team think that your surgery was successful, which sounds really positive in terms of range-of-movement long term. I would definitely arrange for private physio if you think you need it- the NHS provision was awful after I had a hip replacement, long story but it's extremely unlikely that I would ever have been able to walk unaided if I hadn't spent some of my savings on private PT.

I have asked about riding post elbow replacement and told if the surgery is successful that it wouldn't be a problem. I really wish you all the best, and it sounds like you are proactive enough to do all the right things to aid your recovery.
 
ihatework said:
I did my radial head on right elbow about 8 years ago, although nowhere near as bad as yours by the sounds of it. Stable fractures.
It was disproportionately painful from memory, physio on it actually had me in tears. To this day I can’t fully straighten my arm - I’m hyper flexible so can invert the left arm. My right arm stops at a skewiff 170 degrees.
It’s achy in the cold and not quite as strong as the other but I can use it pretty normally. I think I was back in the saddle after 6-8 weeks but I didn’t have the extent of your injury.
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Thank you for the reply. It has been incredibly painful so far but the replacement is settling down. Sleep is still difficult as I must try and move in my sleep and hurt myself and wake with a jolt. Both arms are very achey in the morning and take a while to ease off. I'm fully expecting physio to be extreme 🙁.
I think as long as I can ride again I'll be happy so you have given me hope! I think it might be some time before I feel ready to hit the beach though!
 
Silver Clouds said:
OP you have my sympathy, and I hope you have a speedy (and full) recovery. I have lost nearly all of the radial head in both elbows due to an aggressive degenerative disease meaning that I have very little movement in my elbows or wrists. I am only a couple of years older than you, but my surgeon is currently fighting with the hospital (which is in special measures financially) for funding for replacement surgery whilst there is still enough bone to work with. Although I have had other major joints replaced the local CCG won't carry out elbow replacement in anyone under 40 unless it's required due to a catastrophic injury (so surgery would be required to stabilise the area anyway). I've been told that it is one of the more difficult joints to replace, but that if the surgery was unsuccessful I'd know/be told very soon after surgery. It sounds like your surgical team think that your surgery was successful, which sounds really positive in terms of range-of-movement long term. I would definitely arrange for private physio if you think you need it- the NHS provision was awful after I had a hip replacement, long story but it's extremely unlikely that I would ever have been able to walk unaided if I hadn't spent some of my savings on private PT.

I have asked about riding post elbow replacement and told if the surgery is successful that it wouldn't be a problem. I really wish you all the best, and it sounds like you are proactive enough to do all the right things to aid your recovery.
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Your situation sounds really tough I'm so sorry for you. Do you have a lot of pain?
I hope you get the surgery you need soon. I'm finding out how important elbows really are having taken them for granted! Lol.

My initial x-rays 2 weeks post op looked good from what I gather. The prosthetic looked in the correct place the the bone seemed to be accepting it. I think I will get more x-rays next week and all being well hope to start with the physio. It's the total lack of movement currently which scares me. I'm preparing myself for a long expensive journey though hopefully my nhs physio will also be helpful if I explain what I need to gain.
My job is also quite physical and I need a certain amount of dexterity to safely carry out my work so hopefully the nhs physio will take this on board.

I'm kicking myself for not asking lots of questions of my consultant earlier but initially I was so traumatised and in so much pain I just needed it fixed then 2 weeks in I was just grateful to hear it was healing! I'm making a list of what to ask next week!
 
jens said:
Emilylou thank you that is really helpful. My wrist has indeed been disturbed too. The surgeon said due to them moving and hammering on the radius it can agitate the wrist too. My wrist was bruised a lot after surgery and is only just settling down. I am feeling very frustrated but mainly at myself! I'm always active and do everything myself so it's been very humbling to have to have help for everything. I can't even tie back my own hair!
I've been pretty much unable to do anything as movement is so so difficult. It just won't move!
I'm definitely determined to be a good physio patient as I fully intend to get back as much movement as I can, if not all!

Casey76. That's good to hear that your friends daughter has regained full movement! That's the sort of positive thing I need to hear. That it is possible to do! I initially had a full cast on my right arm due to the state of it to try and limit further joint damage until the surgery but my left has just had a sling and the instructions to use it gently!
Click to expand...

If you have been given the go ahead on the other elbow for gentle movement (not the prosthetic one) then I would start stretching the elbow. You can use a table or a doorway for a bit of leverage as you cant use your other hand. Massaging around the fracture site and using a bit of heat on it prior to stretching will also help. Gentle movement typically means non-weighted movement, so no lifting/pushing/pulling etc but starting to work towards greater range of movement shouldnt hurt the stable fracture at this point- as long as you dont push too hard.

Is the other one still in cast?
 
My OH broke his left elbow 3 years ago - fell off a hover board (don’t ask!). Bad injury with a number of fractures - he’s not had a replacement yet but has had 4 operations to try and improve range of movement. He’s currently 35 degrees off full extension and doesn’t have full rotation. He’s had lots of physio but my general view is that it’s poor quality. Could he ride - yes he could. Get yourself the best physio and go with how you feel. I’ve had a hip replacement (riding injury) 3 years ago (we had a bad year - people who saw us thought we’d had a car accident) and I learnt that you have to find the right physio, who understands what you are trying to achieve. For me it was mentally as tough as physically - I froze when my mare spooked and just couldn’t ride through even the smallest of issues. Give yourself plenty of time and don’t push yourself too soon - you’ll get there. Best of luck.
 
jens said:
Oh no that's really bad luck to break one then the other! Did it take a long time to get full extension in the straight break? Mine is pretty good for general movement but I can't fully extend it yet
Wow a year to regain full extension. I guess that might be what time scale I'm looking at then. Has he ridden again yet? I'm trying to be realistic with my horses and thinking I may have to let one go if I can't ride for a long time.
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I think it was 4 or 5 months to get decent extension in the lesser broken elbow, and they both still make nasty graunching noises! He is back riding, but as he was a novice anyway, it has really knocked his confidence!
 
I broke my left elbow when I was 11. I broke every little bit of it & was in traction for 5 weeks. Extension is not my issue, bending mine was, and the physio was brutal, but I was back riding a couple of months after I got released from hospital, but I was little, and we bounce better at that age.
I still get aches in the cold & still can't properly close my arm.
 
jens said:
Hi
I'm not sure this is the right place to post this so apologies if it isn't.

Has anyone ever broken their elbows riding, specifically the radial head? I came off my horse on the beach 6 weeks ago at a full gallop. He tripped and as I wasn't expecting it I pitched right off over his shoulder, arms outstretched.

My right radial head was smashed to pieces and couldn't be saved. I've now got a prosthetic radial head and am 5 weeks post op. I also broke my left radial head at the same time though it was a single inline break so didn't need treatment.

What I wondered was if anyone has had the same or similar injury and did you get back to riding. At the moment my right elbow is stuck at a 90degree angle. I can't really move it at all and it is still very painful. I am hoping to be sent for physio after my next consultants appointment next week but most of what ive seen online is pretty grim! Surely someone else has had similar? Looking for any rays of hope!
Click to expand...
I just found this thread, I am 9 weeks post op from the same surgery & I am curious how you are doing now & when you were able to start riding again?!
 
KayFay said:
I just found this thread, I am 9 weeks post op from the same surgery & I am curious how you are doing now & when you were able to start riding again?!
Click to expand...
Welcome to the forum KayFay.

The poster you quoted hasn't used the forum since November 2018, so I suspect you won't get a reply, sorry.
 
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