Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Radial

Yep, it's broken. I was hoping it was just tendon damage.

It's a radial head fracture. They can't cast it. I am to use a sling when needed and to start range of motion exercises very soon, like now. Doc said it would take 2 weeks to get the ROM of just bending the elbow. About 4-6 weeks for the wrist.

I am cleared to go back to work with no restrictions. I'm testing my typing now on this blog entry; it hurts. It hurts big time. My fingers are swollen and the elbow area is very swollen. And I'm released to go to work to type 90% of the day?

Anyone have any experience with a radial head fracture? Is this standard procedure?

8 comments:

  1. What a bump! A year before cancer, I broke my humerus (not so humorous)which they could not cast but they could have done surgery to set it with pins. Is this a possiblity with you? My advice is to try to exercise it as much as possible to keep up your range of motion. I did not do this and ended up with frozen shoulder, which took longer to cure than the broken bone.
    I am sure your arm is painful. I was given percocets in the beginning but they really made it hard for me to concentrate on work.

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  2. Renee - I don't have any experience personally with radial head fx but I do work in a hospital with a big orthopedic service. The kids who get this type of injury are encouraged to be as active as possible - but then again, they are kids! If I were you I would be sitting on the couch feeling sorry for myself and hoping that people would wait on me....

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  3. No experience with it - just unlimited hugs and empathy and quick healing sent your way.

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  4. No experience with it - just unlimited hugs and empathy and quick healing sent your way.

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  5. Sorry no experience with it but ... do try and take it easy.

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  6. Renee, can the doctor give you any pain medication, at least while you're working? I take "Norco" medication for my back. It doesn't bother me with concentration. Well...then again, I'm always forgetting halfway through a sentence, but I just figured that was menopause. Hmmm...now I'm not sure. But ask the doctor about it if you can.

    Praying for a quick recovery!

    Love you!
    Kim

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  7. Bummer!!!!! I think the pain meds would help a lot here! I'm so sorry you have to go through this! Can't imagine typing all day with this type of thing! You have all my sympathy, believe me!

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  8. Sorry, I can't offer you any advice but I hope you are pain free soon x

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