Arm again - You will get as tired of this as I am!!

[Scottietottie]

Hi

Last week I saw the orthopedic consuktant who said "The healing process is not going as well as we would have liked" but said I could do without the brace. He is arranging for a CT scan.

Today I saw a knowledgeable, intelligent, friendly, honest physiotherapist who said "You still have a broken arm. Your notes say that it looks like a 'non union' which means that the bone has not really healed at all. It is feeling better because your muscles have healed. The only way you are going to get any more use out of your arm than you have now is surgery."

She looked at the notes, the arm and the x-ray and said she was not prepared to give me physical therapy for it because she didn't think it was anywhere near mended enough.

She's given me advice as to how to get things moving a bit. (Not the arm - the getting it mended) She had a trainee with her. She told her that I was tolerating the pain better than would be expected because I'd lived with pain for a number of years via SjS/lupus. She was my physiotherapist after a partial knee replacement and was impressed at how quickly I progressed after that. She did point out that I would need a fully functioning arm to cope with crutches when the partial replacement eventually needed replaced.

I really wish they had operated back in August!

Thanks for listening - Scottie

[Sleepy In Seattle]

Oh, Scottie - I am so sorry! 

That makes a lot of sense, though...even though it's bad news. Maybe it's time to find a new doctor (orthopedist/surgeon/whatever)?

Are you considering surgery on the arm?

[Scottietottie]

I will consider surgery depending what the CT scan shows. I don't want the pain back but I do want a fully functioning right arm. I am VERY right handed. I don't want to think that the way my arm is now is as good as it gets. For instance I still can't drive.

[Sleepy In Seattle]

Yeah, that's not acceptable.

You must be really ticked off with your doctor! 

I have a metal plate in my left leg from about 5 1/2 years ago. I won't lie - the recovery was INCREDIBLY painful - but I think that was mainly the swelling and soft-tissue damage from the original trauma (I tore through about 98% of the ligaments holding my foot to my leg), plus I didn't get medical treatment until about 7 hours after the accident, so things had really spun out of control by then in terms of swelling and bone displacement. So if you got this done, I suspect it may not be nearly as bad...since everything is planned, your body has already adjusted to the initial trauma, etc...and it'll all be done in a very controlled situation with minimal trauma.

My PT said that probably 80% of the pain was from the ligaments, not the bone or the implant.

The first 6 months, I noticed it a lot...the next 6 months or so I noticed it during activity or when the weather changes (in all cases, it was sort of an ache rather than sharp pain), and by 18 months I got to where I really very seldom knew it was there. Now I go several weeks without ever even thinking about it - I forget it's there. And mine is very close to the surface - really the only time I think of it anymore is when I bang my ankle on something and it hurts more than normal because of the screws right under the skin...but I am totally unaware of the "feel" of the hardware in my leg anymore.

For a while, I considered getting it removed - I sort of assumed I would do that - but now I am thinking I will just leave it there - why go through the hassle and risk aggravating my Lupus by doing surgery I don't have to? I would have to go off my Mtx, etc. And really - the hardware is not something I can feel anymore, even if I try. It's just part of me now.

I hope some of that info helps...I know that A-I disease complicates everything, but jeez - your right arm! Seems like it would be worth going through a bit of trouble to get it patched up properly. But I wouldn't go back to that doctor again!

What I was advised is to go to a Sports Orthopedist, because their emphasis is on getting back full use of the affected limb. They also tend to know GREAT PT's (and write a prescription for a full course of treatment) for recovery.

Sheesh - again, I am SO SORRY you are going through all this. I hope it's resolved SOON!!!!

[aussie mum]

Dear Scottie,

I'm no dr, but I think the sooner you get the CT done the better.  After seeing your last xray, I can't believe the Dr ever thought it would heal on its own.

I know surgery will mean more pain, but in the long term I think your arm will function a lot better if they do operate.

You've been through so much because of this break, I think it's time the doctors FINALLY fix it.

Thinking of you....Hope it's all sorted soon.
Aussie Mum

[eyeamdry]

Scottie-are you having your partial knee rep re-done?  My partial is loose and I am frying bigger fish at the moment and hope to heck it holds on as long as possible.  Lucy

[Scottietottie]

Thank you for the info about your own experience Sleepy. I don't envisage an op being as traumatic as the original injury but I know it will be painful and I've kind of gone into the land of 'discomfort' now - so I don't relish it. I do want my arm back though so will do it if offered.

I don't have a lot of choice about doctors but there is one of the registrars at this hospital that I will specifically ask  that he NOT do it. He suggested that the tremor in my hand was due to overuse of alcohol which I really took exception to - so I have already complained about him. He also said that surgery would result in 'wrist drop'. Now I know it can be a possible complication but it is certainly not inevitable, so if he thinks its normal I don't want him within a million miles of me!

Good new - I get the CT scan tomorrow. Somebody phoned this morning.

Lucy I don't need my knee replacement replaced yet but it has started making funny noises which suggests that it is loosening somewhat. It's my LEFT knee though so I could do with my right arm being strong enough to use a cane with - and crutches. Meanwhile my right hip is beginning to play up! Getting older sucks!

Take care - Scottie 

[CMNK12]

Scottie, that is horrible. Time to get those doctors moving for you. I wish I was there to help you. I know you have to be frustrated , I would be. I would probably be acting like a crazy person by now over it. lol 
Good luck with the CT tomorrow. My prayers are with you. CK

[Meld256]

Scottie,

Good news about the CT getting done. My thoughts are with you.

Certainly don't blame you for not wanting the one particular doctor treating you; for him to ask if the tremor was caused by "too much of the drink"...good grief!
You've been through so much with this for so long. I hope they get your arm fixed for good and without too much pain. You know that you have many people here thinking of you!

Hugs,
Melinda

[eija]

Having seen your x-ray I think the docs have done a malpractise. That is NOT how a broken arm should heal - it should've been operated a long time ago.

Hoping you get it fixed real soon real good and with as little pain and discomfort as possible.

[Carebear]

Dear Scottie,

You certainly are in need of a break (oops! bad pun!)  right about now.     I too am glad you are getting the CT scan done right away, and hopefully your doctor can get to the bottom of this.

Thinking positive thoughts and wishing you well.  Please let us know if there is any news.

[Scottietottie]

Hi 

Thank ypou allso much for your support. I really value it. CT scan done and dusted no now awaiting an appointment with the consultant again. Have been reading up on humerus 'non unions' - decidedly not humerous! - and things like hypothyroid are mentioned in the equation. I tend to agrere with the physiotherapist who said she just doesn't see how they ever thought that would join up however.

CMNK - I think I may have gone crazy! Having lost my job - day time TV is not the way to go! The pain is now pretty minimal although the arm is a long way off fully functional - so I have really needed to occupy my time. I have joined a rock choir, a more generalised choir, a bluegrass group and today - a gamelan group (Javan instruments) The bad arm will hit a gong!! All the groups are run in my area for over 50s and don't cost too much to go to.

I WILL get my arm back!! (Not my job however)

Thanks - Scottie

[Bucky]

Scottie - glad your CT is done . . . now, hopefully, they will make your consultant app't. real soon and then you can find out what the next step is going to be.

My goodness . . . you are the musical one!!  Have fun!

Good Luck . . . . hope you get some answers real soon.

Bucky

[irish]

Scottie, I have a hard time with what you are going through. I am wondering if you asked the doc if he has had his vision checked lately. Arms will heal quite fast in kids (my 11 year old son had arm broken clean off and healed well) but as we age (sorry) we just aren't able to get up and dust ourself off and keep on going. We are higher maintenance ad slower healing. Good luck. Irish

[susanep]

Scottie you shouldn't have to keep hurting like this. I hope you get the help you need, and deserve. I hope your help comes from another doctor. I want 5 minutes with your Dr. and his arm. 

susanep