Fractured Arm (human)

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Sillyoldfool

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I have broken my arm (simple break of radial head), stupid non-riding accident. Anyone done something similar who can give me an idea how long before I can ride again. My boy is reasonably sensible so not worried on that front, just want to get on asap.
 
QR- I was told 6 weeks when i broke mine. I was riding after two weeks.
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. Although I don't think it healed right as it still cracks and crunches from time to time.
 
did you stick your arm out to save yourself?

I am 6 weeks down the line of a non displaced break of radial head so long post!

spent 1 week in back slab pretty useless to do anything.
2 weeks in sling moving it as far as comfortable, flexing and extending v limited twisting palm up (v v limited!)- went back to uni work at this point (am post grad)and started typing a bit (doc said ok if could) before end of second week. I was very careful about it in this time though. as wanted to give it a good head start.

then had 3 week xray - all looked fine started physio (bit useless but hey ho!) 2kg grip in bad hand, 25kg in good! and rode a few times out with mum, one handed but not much as I didnt need to.

did more exercise and managed to start driving after 4 weeks (it was my left i had no strength to change gear.)

Last weekend I really struggled to have a contact on that rein (had a lesson, managed about half an hour, 15 mins with 1 hand)

this weekend I have managed to do loads more. I can now put the handbrake on in car. Can ride horse, managed to jump him (though he got a bit strong at one point so had to put in one hand and pull!) wont compete for a bit though. Main problem is it gets tired/stiff quickly I have got a good support now which has helped when doing more with it, particularly pulling wise. but if riding properly can only do 30mins max atm.

On monday i have fracture clinic and physio again so am interested to see if all ok.

Physio used to older people not people who have had it out using it! I declined the dusting suggestion. I have let mine tell me what it is happy with and just slowly started using it for stuff.

Keep moving it as much as comfortable. I have been doing a lot of ball squashing recently to get my strength back. hope to be pretty normal in another couple of weeks

I dont expect to be able to completely straighten it for a while though I can nearly but def not quite.
 
Suspected Scaffoid (sp) fracture last december, left for three days before going to A&E, in a pot, carried on driving to work for two more weeks, rode for 3 hours week after potted. Pot off in six weeks. Ten months down the line, have possible tendonitis/possible torn tendon/possible re-fracture
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Best advice? Don't ride until the pot is off and you are told you can
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This is not aimed at anybody, but a general observation having read several threads on the subject of broken bones.

Is there something inherently odd about a group of people who will listen to a vet and carry out their instructions to the letter, but who routinely ignore the advice and instructions of doctors
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6 to 10 weeks to be functional but expect aching and pain especially when it is cold for up to 18months , advice from orthopaedic surgeon after several fractures after riding accident ( and it is so true ) x
 
Well in my defence
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No one actually told me not to drive or ride
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On a more serious note driving while in pot is likely to invalidate your insurance and mean that you are driving illegaly! As I was informed by one of my medical colleagues at work!
 
[ QUOTE ]
Suspected Scaffoid (sp) fracture last december, left for three days before going to A&E, in a pot, carried on driving to work for two more weeks, rode for 3 hours week after potted. Pot off in six weeks. Ten months down the line, have possible tendonitis/possible torn tendon/possible re-fracture
shocked.gif
Best advice? Don't ride until the pot is off and you are told you can
smile.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Scaphoid fractures are renowned for non-unions and you have to be careful of scaphoid fractures because there are nerves and blood vessles very close to it. It is unusual to have tendinitis from a scaphoid fracture, it is possible you have a non-union, or widened the scapholunate space meaning the scapholunate ligament is either snapped or torn.
 
So what's the lowdown on ulna fractures? I've had a plate put in (2 weeks ago) and he said to "take it easy"
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and will see me in 4 weeks. I applied my selective deafness when he said something about a bone graft if it doesn't heal.
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lol @ NeilM. I talked myself out of stepping into SJ team yesterday because it wasn't fair on the pony if I couldn't help him out enough
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[ QUOTE ]
This is not aimed at anybody, but a general observation having read several threads on the subject of broken bones.

Is there something inherently odd about a group of people who will listen to a vet and carry out their instructions to the letter, but who routinely ignore the advice and instructions of doctors
confused.gif
grin.gif


[/ QUOTE ]


YUP! Totally nuts - I rode at two weeks but mine was plated with seven screws so I figured it was pretty strong.
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I shattered my humerus last year and initially was told it was a 'clean break', so they put a cast on and the pieces of bone leapt around for nearly two weeks - no wonder I was in pain... before they re x-rayed and the consultant nearly had a heart attack.

Anyway... I have two plates and about 11 screws in there and my goodness it felt so much better almost straight away. Obviously it took a while for my muscles to be able to do anything more than lift a teaspoon, especially as the whole arm had been immobile for two weeks previous to the op, but I found that I progressed quite quickly. Any problems were due to me stressing about my arm and not the arm itself!

Good luck with your healing Baydale. You've had a hell of a time recently haven't you? Hugs x
 
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