Dislocated elbow... recuperation time???

[tasel]

Ok, so I fell off a horse whilst hacking yesterday (what was supposed to be the last gallop went wrong!!!). Result: A&E and a dislocated right elbow that was put back into place last night. Arm is now in a sling for 2 weeks and yes, it's painful.

But all I can think about is when I can ride again. Was too scared to ask the doctor. Basically, there is no fracture but most likely torn ligaments that need to heal. I had torn ligaments before (same arm, fell off another horse over a year ago) and I could kinda ride after 2 weeks. Obviously, this is a bit worse... has anyone had this before? Any idea how long it would take until I can ride again????

Thanks a lot in anticipation!

 

[c2b]

I was back riding again about a month after I did mine. If my mare pulled me it would hurt like hell and I had no strength in it. However it is still impossible to completely straighten mine and it's been over 4 years. The pain on it being pulled straight got less over time but for me it was a long haul. It is not as strong as my good one even now. Sorry if that isn't what you want to hear.
I am however not a young person so things do take longer to get better.
At least you fell off a horse, I fell off a mounting block, didn't even get on the blooming horse lol. Very embarrassing.

 

[tasel]

Aaaargh! Yes, when I tore ligaments before, it took quite a few months until I could straighten my arm, and even then, it was still weird. Do wonder whether that's why my elbow on that very arm got dislocated so quickly from a fall... maybe it was more prone to it!!!

That mounting block MUST be a very wild one!!!

 

[flyingfeet]

Mine took around 3 months before I could ride in ernest

However I dislocated both bones and fractured the top of one and was in plaster for 6 weeks! Took a while to stop acheing, but I worked really hard on the physio and its now perfectly straight.

I can still occasionally feel it in cold weather, but its pretty good all things considered

I did mine falling off the muck cart, I am just grateful I didn't stab myself with the pitchfork I was holding.......

 

[elitesporthorses]

I dislocated my elbow from a fall from a young horse 2 years ago and tore muscles and ligaments. My arm was in plaster for 6 weeks because the doctor said it might easily re-dislocate otherwise. Once plaster came off arm was very stiff and couldn't move it more than an inch, but I had a really good sports injury physio and went twice a week for a month (painful but very good!) I started riding as soon as plaster came off although must be honest was one armed as had no strength in arm but wasn't painful just weak from muscle wastage. By the end of the month of physio was totally back to normal so don't worry! The doctors had told me that I would never be able to straighten my arm again which I found very alarming, but instead of going to the hospital physio once a week I went to the sports physio clinic that I found locally and was the best thing I could have done, the doctors were surprised when I went back for final check how it had healed and I can straighten it totally. Absolutely no different to the other arm, full strength came back so don't panic! I would advise getting a good physio though - I think that is the most important thing and as soon as you can make sure you get the arm moving, and do the exercises that the physio tells you then I think you should be back to normal in no time!

 

[tasel]

Thanks guys! 6 weeks in plaster?!? Wouldn't be able to cope with that! I was at the hospital again today for the check-up and doctor did say plaster or sling, but he prefered paster. I was cheeky enough to ask for a more "stable" sling than the makeshift one A&E provided me with and the doc went like:

"You mean more fashionable?"

He got me a better sling in the end!