broken my humerus - how long recovery?

[Perce]

so on saturday morning i came off while getting on, she took fright and span round before i got leg over, after desperately trying to wriggle on board she started to buck and splat!
i fell with my full weight on elbow causing a clean break mid humerus bone in upper arm -

ouch - no idea broken bone quite so painful but hey

So, lots of questions
i presently have it in a clasby brace.
and want some idea of how much time it will take ...
...to stop being very very painful
...to heal enough to...
... go back to work (primary school teacher - one to one and small group teaching),
....drive,
....ride?
.....etc!
any experiences helpful - i am hopeful it will heal well as i am a fit, 48 year old.
so i know there will be extreme scare stories around but looking for the usual ...
thanks . oh and going back friday for further xrays to see if ok or will need operation to pin.

 

[Crosshill Pacers]

Not quite the same but about 8 years ago my mare bucked me off and I landed straight on my elbow. Took the end of the elbow off (I can't get technical, I was 14 at the time and it hurt so much I never listened to what the doctor was saying properly!). Due to two doctors misdiagnosing the problem I never had it in anything other than a sling, it took them 4 weeks to get an x-ray sorted and to identify that the bone was actually broken, by which time the chunk that had broken off had floated around a bit and started to reattach somewhere else!

Think (from my poor memory) I was out of action as far as riding went for about 3 months as my arm was very swollen and stiff. It hurt like hell for a long time, particularly when I was trying to straighten it, and it turned all the colours under the sun and was about the size of a football for a month or two!

Sorry if that isn't very helpful, like I said I never listened to the doctor because he kept saying things like 'in my country we would put bolts in your arm' and I just thought he was a nutter! Hope you start to feel better soon, and I would advise trying to keep your arm flexible (I know that's difficult with a broken bone) because I was really stiff when I started using my arm again.

Get well soon!

 

[jendie]

I do sympathise. The humerous is one of those difficult bones that can't be splinted and that makes the break so much more painful because you keep moving the bones!! I fractured my clavicle - it was in five bits - earlier this year and it was the most painful experience I've ever been through. You should be in a lot less pain within four - six weeks and the break should heal within 10 - 12 weeks. It is eight months since I fractured my clavicle and it is still painful at times, especially when I'm tired, but nothing like it was to start with

 

[Countrychic]

I had a clean break of my distal humerus and a spiral fracture. I also cracked my elbow.It was plated and pinned. I think i have 9 screws and the plate is about 10cms long. I was supposed to have 5 months off riding but was back riding 4 weeks after it was plated. It was without a doubt far too early. If I'd fallen off the doctor said my arm would have probably been permanently damaged. I was in lots of pain until my operation because my radial nerve was trapped between the break but once that was sorted I didn't suffer too badly. I decided to not use any painkillers at all once I left hospital although I was prescribed all kinds.
I found driving quite painful but maybe if your car had very light steering you'd be ok although you wouldn't be insured.
My surgeon said I healed faster than anyone he'd ever known. I was fully discharged 10 weeks post op With nearly full range of movement. I only lost 10 degrees in the End.
Don't know what worked but I didn't do a thing for 3 weeks, not even lift a cup of tea then as soon as they gave me an exercise like pretending to play the piano I would do it all the time, I always did a bit more than was recommended. I did things like painting the railings in the stable using my bad arm, every time it hurt I'd swap to my good arm then swap back. I also took calcium and didn't drink alcohol.
I'm now 6 months on and it doesn't affect me too much. It aches and swells when I do too much. It hurts if I bang it. It's much weaker than it used to be but I feel so lucky I had it plated otherwise it would have been 5 months in a cast and brutal physio.
There's different opinions with regards to surgery or wearing a cast but I was really pleased I got it plated. I don't know if you might have less lasting effects if you had the plate taken out but because of the damage to my nerve the surgeon is reluctant to remove mine.

 

[Perce]

mmm... i think to have it in this clasby brace is a huge improvement on a plaster cast although i can feel it moving around. at the moment i would struggle to do much - i have good use of left hand although looks like someone blew up a hand shaped balloon. i can hold, wiggle fingers, etc but the tiniest force (hold the loo roll still to use good hand to rip piece off!) too painful!
i have to go up yard tomorrow as horse needs vaccination but will be telling non-horsey OH what to do and getting horse in via food route! dreading the car journey - we are trying to decide whiuch will give smoother ride

 

[Gingerwitch]

so on saturday morning i came off while getting on, she took fright and span round before i got leg over, after desperately trying to wriggle on board she started to buck and splat!
i fell with my full weight on elbow causing a clean break mid humerus bone in upper arm -

ouch - no idea broken bone quite so painful but hey

So, lots of questions
i presently have it in a clasby brace.
and want some idea of how much time it will take ...
...to stop being very very painful
...to heal enough to...
... go back to work (primary school teacher - one to one and small group teaching),
....drive,
....ride?
.....etc!
any experiences helpful - i am hopeful it will heal well as i am a fit, 48 year old.
so i know there will be extreme scare stories around but looking for the usual ...
thanks . oh and going back friday for further xrays to see if ok or will need operation to pin.

Have not done an arm but have done legs and stuff.... can take upto 3 weeks to stop being really painful - get some ibruprofen and keep it still and raised.

Work - i usually go back as soon as cast is dry - i get board otherwise - currently working from home as my offices are on the top floor - so i am a fire risk !

Drive - as soon as i dont need the big lots of pain killers - so would drive to work for example and take the pain killers for the day - if I had broke my left leg i would be driving now as i would have hired a auto.

Ride - its awkward with a leg so usually wait till cast is off - but i would not push it with an arm either

 

[paddi22]

I got a bad break on my humerus last year so you have my full sympathy!
Mine was a nightmare as the bone wouldn't fuse. I didn't want to get plates and pinned so i stayed longer in the cast till it fused. I broke it end of january and was still in a smaller plastic cast in november!

I started back riding WAAYY to early, and I think that delayed my healing. I now have a really wonky banana shaped arm and my muscles are detroyed. I don't have much power in that arm. So my advice would be take it easy! when i look back now i can't believe i started back riding as soon as i did! I wish i'd waited till my arm was stronger!

 

[kerilli]

i broke my left humerus mid-shaft when I was a teen. I was in a 'hanging cast' which allowed the bones to move, the feeling of them grinding together still haunts me. I stuck that for 1 day then had a hissy fit and had an op to plate it. It felt so much better almost straight away! It took many months to get back to full strength though. after about a year i had the plate removed. it is perfectly straight and strong (i'm left handed so it needed to be, hence me getting my own way re: op i think), apart from the scar you'd never know i'd had an injury there at all.
the only long-term symptoms i had were that when it had the plate in and the weather was very cold, it would ache like the blazes (had to put hot packs on arm to try to warm up the plate inside) and when i dived into a swimming pool i'd feel it bend a little then snap straight, which was odd.
never even think of it now, it's 100%, i'm glad to say.
hope that helps a little. take the painkillers!

 

[Perce]

I got a bad break on my humerus last year so you have my full sympathy!
Mine was a nightmare as the bone wouldn't fuse. I didn't want to get plates and pinned so i stayed longer in the cast till it fused. I broke it end of january and was still in a smaller plastic cast in november!

I started back riding WAAYY to early, and I think that delayed my healing. I now have a really wonky banana shaped arm and my muscles are detroyed. I don't have much power in that arm. So my advice would be take it easy! when i look back now i can't believe i started back riding as soon as i did! I wish i'd waited till my arm was stronger!

thanks for reply - typical rider i want to be back onboard asap, but am thinking i should delay until as late as i can . we are qualified for 2013 TREC GB Championships in mid september so obviously hope to be fully fit and active long enough before that to prepare,
as i broke it being bucked off i am obviously worried about that happening again if i ride too soon - i am sure i could plod around the block as soon as pain goes but not sure she will plod so....
am hoping to stay in brace so trying to keep as upright as poss til friday when thry xray again.
any experience of driving and insurance cover anyone?

 

[Perce]

i broke my left humerus mid-shaft when I was a teen. I was in a 'hanging cast' which allowed the bones to move, the feeling of them grinding together still haunts me. I stuck that for 1 day then had a hissy fit and had an op to plate it. It felt so much better almost straight away! It took many months to get back to full strength though. after about a year i had the plate removed. it is perfectly straight and strong (i'm left handed so it needed to be, hence me getting my own way re: op i think), apart from the scar you'd never know i'd had an injury there at all.
the only long-term symptoms i had were that when it had the plate in and the weather was very cold, it would ache like the blazes (had to put hot packs on arm to try to warm up the plate inside) and when i dived into a swimming pool i'd feel it bend a little then snap straight, which was odd.
never even think of it now, it's 100%, i'm glad to say.
hope that helps a little. take the painkillers!

know what you mean about them grinding together! soiunds horrid and OUCH!
But glad to hear you feel you are back to full strength.

so frustrating...
one horse fit and looking forward to a winter of indoor trecs and long rides with maps, maybe a little sj or even the dreaded dressage,
the other a just backed 4 year old!
turn away for the winter then :-(
PANTS!

 

[Flowers187]

I got ran over by a car when I was about 8 and broke this bone! Didnt take me too long to recover from what I remember, but I remember not being able to have a proper cast because of where it was the humerous and when it was fixed and they took everything off I had to learn how to use my arm again, although I was 8 so it probably seemed much worse than it was! Mom sent me to school the next day as it wasnt my writing arm side!

 

[jakkibag]

My sympathy too, shattered my humerus going xc, mare went one way mid jump, I the other, still attached by my foot and got dragged. Had similar to Countrychic, trapped radial nerve, had zero feeling after id done it, no feeling at all, just a floppy lifeless arm lol!!, Had some serious metal inserted, they removed a lot of the destroyed bone fragments, and the bone regrew in the gaps, rerouted my radial nerve round the back of the metal, have a stunning scar (although can barely see it now, Thank you Bio Oil) from shoulder to elbow, Was told never to go near a horse again back riding in six weeks, jumping in eight weeks, fell off at nine weeks, landed on my feet and had a reality check
Havent 'properly' jumped since tbh!
Drove again after a couple of weeks, one handed , steering and gear changing one handed.
I was a total physio geek though, was determined not to be 'disabled', swam, did physio every minute i could,lifting bags of sugar, thera bands, everything I possibly could with the broken arm, It was agony i wont lie, but i have full movement and its now got better range than my other 'good' arm!!
I was off work for a long time, my Ocupational Health at work had a meltdown at the thought of me going back and doctor said i was fully fit so had full pay plus my holidays = 10months, I was dying to go back at that point!! Dont rush anything, stick to your physio and dont take any risks as that will set you back!!

Did it three years ago and it still feels funny in the cold, and i can feel the metal lumpy on the outside, the skin round the scar is still supersensitive too!

Hope you heal quickly, Good luck OP!!

 

[Slightlyconfused]

My brother broke the top of his humerus a few years ago
You could see where the bone was bulging under the skin.

Had to have a drop cast on for a week to encourage the bone to drop back down and knit right. It 90% worked, he still has a lump but on the X-ray its nearly all joined, you can see we're the both had grown around it.

It took six/seven weeks to get back riding but he was in a lot of pain for the first few.

 

[Countrychic]

You won't be insured to drive until the X-ray shows no break in the bone. I think that was 8 weeks for me

 

[Perce]

You won't be insured to drive until the X-ray shows no break in the bone. I think that was 8 weeks for me

8 weeks! oh my goodness!
i think i had better ring insurance tomorrow to check out situation re when i ca drive again. i, like many, would like to drive asap BUT i can't risk insurance. my sister in law was driving t 4 weeks but found out today that she it was not a complete break.
it seems that there is a big difference between fractures/oartial breaks and complete - snapped it in two breaks.

i really don't know how i will manage 8 weeks not driving - my horses are not at home! if it seriously 8 weeks i will have to look at all options re horse care :-(
but CC that is the first concrete piece of info i've heard.

so friday i need to go in with list of questions - ie, what is best scenario and what do i have to do to ensure that is the case?

positive points - it seems to be a clean break, no chips or spirals,

 

[JANANI]

Poor you!!! I know how painful it is. My experience is not good news for you

I broke my humerous for the second time last year falling off a youngster and landing on my elbow. I was off work for three months and couldn't drive for three and a half months. I didn't start riding until five months after the accident as the doctor and physio wouldn't allow me. I did all the physios excercises although I still find mounting from the ground difficult and still generally use a mounting block. Other than that I don't really notice any real weakness apart from lifting heavy things above my head. My bone is only 95% it's original strength due to the way it healed and they wouldn't plate it due to the risk of me loosing my use of my wrist. My insurance company said I wasn't insured when I was in plaster and when I didn't have the all clear from the doctor/physio.

I was shocked at how little movement I had in my arm after being in plaster for three months.

Kerrili - Thanks for reminding the bone grinding. I took Co codomol (the strong ones) for the first three weeks (which is so painful) and after a few weeks paracetemol. My understanding that ibruferon prevents bone healing and should be avoided.

 

[Nightmare before Christmas]

My friend just did the same. Suffered nerve damage too. Its been plated now and shes just getting use of her arm back. Think she did it two months ago now

 

[ralph and maverick]

Not quite the same but I broke my elbow and forearm last year, embarrassingly enough not even falling off horse but fell over in field doing electric fencing lol!!!
Had full cast on upto armpit, very painful for about 2weeks, I did take the painkillers they gave me though.
As I couldn't work I still went up stables and managed to muck out using good arm to drag tub trug with lead rope instead of wheel barrow, got a sledge to drag feeds etc about.
3 weeks after breaking I was driving, my theory was nobody had told me I couldn't, and didn't want to ask incase they said no, and was going mad not being able to get about (no public transport round here) and I rent a yard so no help with other liveries etc.

On another note I know a young girl who broke her humerous and it all healed straight forward and she was back riding fairly soon after.

Hope you heal quickly and it's all straigh forward

 

[Countrychic]

That's all well and good but it's your responsibility to ask the questions and if you'd had a crash you wouldn't have been insured

 

[TrasaM]

OP..it sounds painful and inconvenient.. You have my sympathies. I couldn't drive for almost four weeks because of a broken collar bone. I had to rely on my son who somehow seemed to find every speed bump
I probably only managed to get back to it that quickly because the break was pinned. Take care and don't rush it.

 

[Perce]

thanks folks...
everyone's recovery seems so different but i am realizing this is a more serious break than i initially thought.
totally understand wish to drive...i want to as my horses are on their own too so no one else to take over, but i really don't want to risk being uninsured.

back for xrays tomoorow to decide if pin - i reckon what i have - clasby brace is best, but.... fingers crossed.

have list of questions ready!

only up...my poor school got ofsted inspectors in! how much would they pay to be off sick! told them i;d swap and threy didn't believe me...trust me..i would...

 

[jakkibag]

Definately best to check on your insurance, I was insured after four weeks, Doctor wrote to them, as mine was plated, luckily my insurance company didnt insist on full bone union as that took 14months
Another thing to mention, is life insurance/critical illness cover, you need to disclose all info to these companies if you have it, as they can null and void any policies (same as horse policies) if you dont notify them

 

[mynutmeg]

so on saturday morning i came off while getting on, she took fright and span round before i got leg over, after desperately trying to wriggle on board she started to buck and splat!
i fell with my full weight on elbow causing a clean break mid humerus bone in upper arm -

ouch - no idea broken bone quite so painful but hey

So, lots of questions
i presently have it in a clasby brace.
and want some idea of how much time it will take ...
...to stop being very very painful
...to heal enough to...
... go back to work (primary school teacher - one to one and small group teaching),
....drive,
....ride?
.....etc!
any experiences helpful - i am hopeful it will heal well as i am a fit, 48 year old.
so i know there will be extreme scare stories around but looking for the usual ...
thanks . oh and going back friday for further xrays to see if ok or will need operation to pin.

To stop hurting probably a few days to a week although it will ache for a while.
Healing wise a clean break will take 6-8 weeks to heal. Working you'd be able to within a couple of weeks so long as you can do it one handed
Driving and riding I would be leaving it at least 8 weeks but ask your doctor for sure.

Surgery wise if they do pin it, it will be sore for a couple of days but feel much better otherwise.

Given it's a clean break you should heal completely even if it takes a couple of months

 

[Perce]

To stop hurting probably a few days to a week although it will ache for a while.
Healing wise a clean break will take 6-8 weeks to heal. Working you'd be able to within a couple of weeks so long as you can do it one handed
Driving and riding I would be leaving it at least 8 weeks but ask your doctor for sure.

Surgery wise if they do pin it, it will be sore for a couple of days but feel much better otherwise.

Given it's a clean break you should heal completely even if it takes a couple of months

lots of useful numbers here.
also thanks jakkibag re informing all insurance bods,

whilst i do want to get back to it, be a tad ironic if well enough to work but not to do anything enjoyable or actually drive to work!
without the ability to drive just getting to my yard/son'school/work could take all day! agh!
oh well - see what docs say tomorrow.
thanks all.

 

[nosenseofdirection]

If you do drive/get lifts, do not go over any speed bumps if it is not pinned/plated!

Good luck for a speedy recovery...

 

[Perce]

thought I’d add an update as I am presently googling again and this may be useful to someone in a similar situation in the future.
so...went back after one week and bones had started to realign so no need for operation and told to come back again in a couple of weeks. Still on significant painkillers and sleeping sitting up (torture) to keep bones under traction.
by 2 weeks pain much improved from excruciating to constant strong ache and very painful if foolish enough to try to move arm - now on painkillers to help sleep or when I know I have to go somewhere.
Next visit (4 weeks after accident) realigned further (x rayed) so still in clasby brace (bit like a neoprene and Velcro brushing boot with elastic straps round to hold tight and internal struts) and sling. go home and start flexing elbow next week and small shoulder movements about week 6. (next appointment in 5 weeks!!!!!)
Now new year’s day - 7 weeks and 3 days on from break. One week before next appointment. about a week ago I finally felt like the bone may have joined so obviously overdid it and ended up back on painkillers - doh!. am now flexing elbow and doing gentle shoulder circles. am desperate to do more but want reassurance from next week’s x-ray that I can first.
Was told by insurance that I could drive when doctor said i could. Doctor said he would let me when 2 halves of bones joined so fingers crossed for next Tuesday. Although presently I could not drive as no way have strength in left arm for gears in pick-up truck - it would be agony -hoping once given go ahead can really build up exercises. Can do more today than yesterday so feel a week will make a massive difference.
Went back to work after 4 weeks – physically struggled and couldn’t do everything as arm was still painful and break very fragile - no playground duties for me! Coincided with my OH working away so getting son to school, me to yard with mother couple of days and to work – part time thank goodness- was a logistical nightmare!
Haven’t missed riding as much as I thought I would as weather has been atrocious but miss the horses terribly - see them couple of times a week when I can persuade someone to give me lift - they've been chucked out in field!
Also miss looking after them – will owe so many favours by the time I get back there……not sure I can ever repay them.

 

[Merlin1979]

Glad you are on the mend. I had this injury 3 years ago, aged 30 after falling off a horse. I was off work two weeks but one I was on annual leave anyway. I just did what I could at work, had parents and friends drive me about and had to live with my parents and they looked after my dogs. I didn't have my own horse at the time.
I did not drive for 3 months as my arm was simply not strong enough. As soon as I started my physio, i got stuck into it as i was determined to be back to normal. I also started swimming which was the best thing I did. I could only do breast stroke at first but quickly was able to do front crawl. If you can, go swimming! It's the best advice I can give you. It is a long process but physio/ swimming you will see huge and fast results.
I didn't ride for 5 months. I didn't want to risk it but I didn't have my own at the time. Good luck!!

 

[mynutmeg]

glad you're mending well - for driving if it's your left arm could you beg/borrow/hire an automatic car for a few weeks so you don't need to worry about gear changes?

Otherwise be careful for another couple of months with riding but after that the arm should be stronger than before the break

Good luck with the next appointment

 

[Perce]

Belated update after last appointment – having gone to fracture clinic feeling very positive I came back down to earth with a bump and I was so fed up afterwards didn’t feel much like posting.
Anyhow; appointment at 8 weeks and 3 days after accident – x ray shows healing “as they would expect”. Hospital obviously pleased with how it’s going and seemed quite put out when I said I felt really good and although couldn’t possibly drive now, had set a target to drive within 3 weeks as my OH was working away and I would need to be mobile by then. So what exercises did I need to do to get to that stage? I explained how I had been told that I could drive when the bones healed/joined and that that would take 8-10 weeks, and that it felt as though they had joined 
No chance apparently! No driving!!! And still in full brace although could take arm out of sling if I wanted at times – just for me to use to help my comfort. And after some persuasion, I am ‘ok’d to take out of brace very very carefully to bath or shower, but they’d prefer it if I didn’t risk it.
Met physio and given exercises to loosen shoulder and elbow – no strengthening exercises allowed until after next appointment. Awaiting transfer to local hospital physio department who I will be under for months apparently 
They wanted to next book me in again at the fracture clinic for 4 to 6 weeks’ time. my chin wobbled so they agreed 4 thank goodness!
Will I be able to drive then? Maybe but “I’m not promising anything” I was told. I also got a lecture on driving without insurance and how I would feel if I killed someone. I did say that I had no intention of driving until they said I could as my insurance would be invalid and I couldn’t risk that, and neither did I intend to leap into my car and race up the motorway or even the local roads. I simply wanted to be able to drive steadily to the yard asap. And I had been led to believe 8 weeks was reasonable, That’s what I was told after the accident. The suggestion seemed to be that someone was trying to placate me at the time as it was obviously the inability to drive to do my horses that upset me far more than the excruciating pain!
I asked about driving an automatic and that makes no difference apparently as I still have to have 2 hands on the wheel. I physically COULD NOT drive now but I’m working on it! in 4 weeks’ time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pain wise it has plateaued at a dull constant ache – couple of painkillers at night helps me sleep. Occasionally much worse but only if I am stupid enough to try something my arm can’t yet do, or i over do it.
I am able to do more with it each day – typing with two hands today - and generally able to move around more quickly than I have been. Lucky as will be walking miles next week in order to get son to school and me to work. I can also now do things like do up zips and buttons although tying shoes laces jolly painful.
Limited arm mobility at this point. can’t straighten elbow but improving with exercises.
So generally much improved. The pain doesn’t bother me, it’s the loss of independence that is unbearable! and the forced inactivity; miss my exercise classes - (always give me a giggle), cycling with my son - and massively frustrated by being unable to get to my horses But have had first proper bath in 2 months …mmm…
And I'm being dumped up yard for 3 hours in a couple of days and left all alone with my neds – can’t wait –fingers crossed it doesn’t rain please !
Sorry bit long – I don’t get out much you know… he he he

 

[kerilli]

Great to hear that it is healing well, I bet it is hugely frustrating. Funny, I'd forgotten that mine used to ache that much until I read your comment. Thank heavens for good painkillers...
I bet that bath felt AMAZING.
V best of luck with the rest of your recovery. Is there nobody local who could give you the occasional lift in return for promises of you returning the favour when you are back to full strength?
I hope the next month flies by... just do gentle physio and please, don't be tempted to hang from things to build strength or pull it straight, I tried to (luckily in front of physiotherapist) who went crazy at me!
Good Luck xx