Recovery time for Undisplaced Fracture - Neck of Humerus

Hi,

I was in a car accident and the impact left me with an undisplaced fracture at the neck of Humerus. I had a cast on for 3 weeks, a shoulder immobilizer for 10 days.I had physiotherapy for 2 months.

I am still to get full recovery / movement of my arm. (pardon my lack of medical terminology)

Arm extended in front of me - can lift it around 110degrees, that will be slightly above by head level.

Extended out sideways- Not even to my shoulder level.

I experience pain down as far as my elbow at times.

I was given biofeedback+stimulations for about 7 days too. I have quit therapy now. I do the exercises myself - basic stretching, theraband stretching etc

It's been above 12 weeks since the accident now.

I wish to know how long will it take untill I get full movement of my arm again? Any particular exercises I can do to make the progress better?

Regards,

Hi there, sejkhn. Sadly a fractured humerus is of the more difficult injuries to recover from, as you are finding. However, 12 weeks is, as yet, early days. Often there is residual stiffness and lack of range of movement no matter how hard you work at it.

However, you said you still have pain - are you taking medications for it? You could find that pain will hamper your movement even though you feel you are strong enough to push through it.

You have some weeks more of PT before you make a breakthrough. I hope you make it, my friend.

Thanks for the quick response and insight Josephine.

The pain in the elbow happens only when I put weight on the elbow joint. Otherwise there is no major pain or discomfort. Only times are when I am doing the mobilization exercising which puts my arm out of the comfort zone.

Would you know approx how much more time am I looking at before my arm gets full movement again...

That's not easy to say - it differs so from person to person. I'd say could be a few more weeks yet.