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Post by mark072 on Dec 5, 2016 20:05:29 GMT
I broke my right elbow (same bone) back in May 2015. I was going to have it wired and an operation but at the last minute it was decided to let it heal by the fracture coming together. If there is quite a large gap then they wired the bones together. I was in a cast for 2 weeks the first week it was at a right angle with a sling around my neck then after that another cast was put on with the angle of my arm more straight. After the x-ray at 6 weeks the knitting together was well underway and the cast was removed to allow me to slowly start using and bending my arm again but not to lift anything heavy. The arm will be really stiff and you will need to slowly start bending it and get it so that you get more or less full movement back (watch youtube vids for physiotherapy on broken elbow) but this will take time. Don't rush things and risk further injury by lifting heavy items some muscle will have been lost in the bicep. For fitness I was doing one hour sessions on an exercise bike a couple of times a week which really helped me with my fitness and keeps the muscles in the legs that use for cycling in shape. It takes patience to recover form this but after a few months you should be back to normal. Diet wise eats lots of protein and vitamin C to aid new bone formation. I took my first ride at about 12 weeks after the accident which they advised and had not lost as much fitness as I thought. All the best for a full recovery.
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Post by GrumpyDidcot on Dec 11, 2016 21:28:43 GMT
Mark072, thanks for the advice. My stitches will be out Tuesday. Had the first Physio three days ago, I think they're rushing me through. Twisting the forearm hurts like hell. When I saw the gap on the xray it looked like the Grand Canyon! every one took a gasp.
The thing is, my hand is fine, I've got no cast on and I'm just strapped up like a twisted muscle. It's just so tempting and frustrating to think it's all good. I might see what the local gym will do for exercise bike access for free! Booked a table for Christmas lunch on Christmas eve for me and the family. Stay safe out there folks.
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Post by GrumpyDidcot on Dec 15, 2016 19:13:07 GMT
Stitches came out Tuesday - well nearly all. Found they had missed one when I was able to ditch the dressing today. Took it out myself no problem. A lot more flexibility now the bandage is off as well. A couple of new exercises from the physio to do with this wide rubber band and I feel well on the way to getting back to normal. The long scar is quite deep, waxy in patches, dry in others, all numb. Monday will be 3 weeks since the op, had to take a couple of pain killers last night/today - the first for over a week. Must still resist the temptation to do too much too soon.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2016 11:44:03 GMT
At least you have an excuse to get out of doing the dishes after the Christmas dinner!
Try to avoid putting any creams or moisturiser on the scar if it is dry, they can impair the healing and actually make the scar resulting scar more prominent. Hope you get well soon buddy.
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Post by GrumpyDidcot on Dec 16, 2016 12:16:34 GMT
We're off to a Restaurant for Christmas lunch. Yes I'm keeping it dry, the scar tissue is quite leathery. I've taken some pics for my records, the injury claims company want me to see a specialist the end of Feb next year.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2016 12:29:47 GMT
Hopefully that will help then, and hopefully the injury claim will be hassle free too!
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Post by GrumpyDidcot on Dec 16, 2016 22:07:21 GMT
Thanks sam90. mark072, your arm injury sounds a lot worse than mine. I've been having a think about blood flow and recovery times. The first thing I was told was no lifting for 6 weeks. Now the physio has me doing light exercises with a big elastic band. That sounds/feels like minor lifting to me. I had thought about a local gym, or an exercise bike off ebay (for resale when I recover). Maybe just fast walking a couple of miles and the physio is the way to go? The physio was really moving my arm around with just a bit of discomfort so the wire/whatever is holding it all in place, is working. I just need the strength and flex to come back.
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Post by GrumpyDidcot on Dec 18, 2016 17:47:32 GMT
Pain today, I was pushing it slightly with the exercises yesterday. Trying to straighten the arm is ok, it's bending my hand up to my shoulder beyond 90 degrees is where the discomfort starts. Still just sat around doing nothing at home, my normal routine of cycling to work and everything else seems so long ago.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2016 20:29:58 GMT
Pain today, I was pushing it slightly with the exercises yesterday. Trying to straighten the arm is ok, it's bending my hand up to my shoulder beyond 90 degrees is where the discomfort starts. Still just sat around doing nothing at home, my normal routine of cycling to work and everything else seems so long ago. I'm hearing you loud and clear my friend. That pain is a wee hint to slightly take your foot of the throttle. My own initial thoughts when side lined through injury are usually, God grant my patience but please grant it now . Take care...
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Post by GrumpyDidcot on Dec 18, 2016 21:08:34 GMT
Robert, thanks. I will try to do what you say but it's hard for me. I want to get back to work.
Ladies and Gents, please keep reminding me "It's a broken bone, your arm doesn't work at the moment"
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Post by GrumpyDidcot on Dec 23, 2016 14:22:51 GMT
Still improving slowly with arm strength, felt confident enough to take the car for a quick drive around today. Little clues from the body all the time. Car battery needed a proper charge, slowly around the roundabouts on a fairly straight there and back route. Steer with left arm and only hold the wheel with the right when in a straight line and changing gear. Nearly 4 weeks since the op, 5 since the incident/I've been in work. It'll be late Feb before I risk a try out on the bike.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2016 15:31:01 GMT
Still improving slowly with arm strength, felt confident enough to take the car for a quick drive around today. Little clues from the body all the time. Car battery needed a proper charge, slowly around the roundabouts on a fairly straight there and back route. Steer with left arm and only hold the wheel with the right when in a straight line and changing gear. Nearly 4 weeks since the op, 5 since the incident/I've been in work. It'll be late Feb before I risk a try out on the bike. Good to hear improvement being made and your getting out, all be it on four wheels but it's still progress. Trying to accept recovery in nibble size portions can be frustrating I know but time is a great healer but patience can be elusive. Wishing you all the best in your on going journey, this too shall pass my friend.
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Post by GrumpyDidcot on Dec 25, 2016 20:44:55 GMT
Well, somehow, without more exercise, I can bend my arm an extra 5 or 10 degrees today - my wrist is closer to my shoulder but still over 14 inches away. Scar tissue breaking down? Still hurts to twist the forearm - my hand is happy in the position as if I'm on the brake hoods/not on a straight bar. Which is where I prefer to ride anyway, but holding a pen/computer mouse is so far away in the recovery process.
This must be my Christmas gift.
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Post by GrumpyDidcot on Dec 29, 2016 20:51:33 GMT
Had a few aches and concerns over Christmas so rang the hospital to pop in for a chat. Had an xray today, the Doc says everything is fine - nearly mended. He wants me to come back on the 12th Jan for a final xray so they can say "100% fixed" Weight and lifting soon. My local swimming pool opens at 6am weekdays - will start calling in for 30 mins before work maybe twice a week. It's on the way to work so no detour at all. Pay as you go price is Β£3:40 (normal Β£4:65) - need to find out what the joining fee is to qualify for the discount. Back to work Tuesday!
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Post by GrumpyDidcot on Jan 5, 2017 19:24:42 GMT
Bad timing to get a cold, returned to work yesterday. Very little done as my manager understands the situation. This morning I was hurting all over - 6 weeks of lazing around has taken the toll! The wrist is now only 6 or 7 inches from my shoulder and getting less each day. More wrist rotation as well. Solicitor rang yesterday - nice sum offered as compensation, I'll take it. Bike will be in for repair in the next week or so.
Driving is getting easier.
Can't wait for the all clear in 7 days.
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