proximal humerus fracture- physio regime

[irishrover]

hi,

im posting a thread on this site as i have a number of questions with relation to an injury i sustained 5 weeks ago and the recovery process over the coming months ahead.

i fractured my proximal humerus and underwent surgery, after which i had a plate fitted. apologies for the lack of medical terminology.

its been about 5 weeks since the fracture. after week 4, the sling of which i used to immoblise my shoulder was removed and i was instructed by the physio to do some light movements. eg swirl my hand in a clockwise fashion whilst bending my hips and attempting to bed my hand outstretched over my head whilst lying down.

i still have restricted movement of my hand and find it very difficult to lift my arm unassisted fully off my body.

i was wondering what the normal progress for recovery from a fracture of this kind is and whether there are any physio movements i can try to help increase the progress of my recovery.

im a 22 year old sporty guy and cant imagine not having full mobility of my arm into the distant future.
any suggestions would be greatly appreciated
thank you

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[gcoe]

Hi Irishrover

I have two responses:

!. If the injury was just to the humerus then you should have been given exs to keep your wrist and hand mobile. that was not good management on the part of your surgeon/orthopaedic team. the whole point of the sling is to control excess movement at your shoulder and support the humerus - not to immobilise the hand!

2. Never fear. You won't be stiff and weak forever and providing the humerus has united you should have a good prognosis for getting everything back. But it will take some work. As you having sporting interests I would suggest you get some rehab from your physio who can
mobilise the stiff joints
give you specific exercises to mobilise the stiff joints
progressive strengthening for the upper body, shoulder girdle, shoulder elbow, wrist and hand - for the entire package really.

With help from a physio you can progress much quicker.

[achon2011]

Hi Irishover,

I am recovering from a fracture of my shoulder, which happened 4 weeks ago in Xmas. I was snowboarding and fell on my arm breaking on the base of the ball joint of the humerus.

Anyway, at the moment (4 week) , the fracture is starting to join. My doctor has advised me to stop using the sling and start to use my arm gently as normal. She said that if it hurts me a bit , I can use some paracetamol.

next week I will start phisiotherapy and will see how it goes. At the moment , I cannot lift my arm properly (comparing with the other arm). I cannot lift heavy items. But I am starting to do more movements slowly.

For example , I have problems to put my shirt or coat on with my injured arm.
ra
I guess your injury is worse than mine because you have a plate but I guess the phisiotherapy will be similar.

all the best with your healing.

achon2011

[grumpygran]

I am 5 weeks post-op after having philo plate fitted to right proximal humerus fracture, I am right handed.. Body brace and sling removed at 3 weeks post op so I have had 2 physio appointments. I am regaining some good movement, can raise my arm 90 degrees front, 45 laterally some days but not others. I use a warm wheat bag prior to excercises and after. Hope this is some help

[achon2011]

I am 5 weeks post-op after having philo plate fitted to right proximal humerus fracture, I am right handed.. Body brace and sling removed at 3 weeks post op so I have had 2 physio appointments. I am regaining some good movement, can raise my arm 90 degrees front, 45 laterally some days but not others. I use a warm wheat bag prior to excercises and after. Hope this is some help

Hi grumpygran,
7 weeks and I feel similar than you.back to work 2 weeks ago.
The arm is moving much better but still hurts sometimes.

Today has been my third fisio. They advised me to keek lifting
my arm lying on bed.(150degrees). moving sideways only 45degrees.
I will have to work more on that. Using some elastic rubber
for rotators too.
Anyway, feeling with hopes that slowly will get back as normal.
Right arm also.
Contact me if any questions. Good luck with the arm.
Achon

[grumpygran]

Hello Achon, hope you are progressing well. What does that mean, using the rubber thing for the rotators? Just in case I want to discuss it with my phsio at next appointment.
Thanks

[grumpygran]

I had plate fitted 3rd Jan, so am just 6 weeks post-op. Finding progress slow but have found out that full recovery can take up to a year so nil desperandum.
Find good phsio.
Best wishes
grumpygran

[achon2011]

Hello Achon, hope you are progressing well. What does that mean, using the rubber thing for the rotators? Just in case I want to discuss it with my phsio at next appointment.
Thanks

Hi Grumpy,

The fisiotherapist gave me a yellow rubber band and she said that this is to exercise the rotator muscles of the shoulder. I have to use it sideways. It is quite easy for me.

My shoulder still going slow. Lifting the right arm is not too bad BUT moving it sideways is quite painful. I try to do my exercises everyday and see where we get.

If I did not tell you, my fracture happened snowboarding. The neck of the humerus (just in the base of the ball joint cracked). But saying that I feel that the worse are the muscles around the shoulder. It looks they do not heal and still pain there. I hope that time heal them.

I hope this helps. How is your progress? How did you break your bones?

achon

[chris7858]

Hi Irishrover,
I was wondering if you could update me on how the progress has gone?
I think i was a boarderline candidate for a plate, but it was then decided not to go for one. I am 3-4 weeks into recovery, and i can feel the joint strengthening on a daily basis but am really frustrated at the lack of range i can get out of it. At the moment it seems incapable of some movements, even with support.

So im just wondering how it went for you sincwe youre a few months ahead? Have you found you've gotten full mobility back? Like you, im pretty active and it seems quite unimaginable not to make a full recovery.

Thanks