sage advice required

balfie

About 12 weeks ago, I posted that I had broken my collar bone. A type 2 fracture (middle bit, but displaced) After a few x rays and consutations with Mr. Orthopod, I still can't raise my arm above my head, It's still painful when I put my shirt on and still painful when I get up in the morning, having slept on it. I'm 50 and fit and used to suffering.
Anybody else had this still happening after this length of time? Help! I'm getting more & more hacked off by this.
Cheers!

Barkiesnake

Hi balfie

Are you seeing a Physio? I came off and injured my shoulder a few weeks ago (not as long ago as you i'll admit) and although i didnt break anything i did do some muscle damage. I have the same symptoms which you are talking off and according to my physio this is due to the rotor cuff muscles in the shoulder not being at full strength. Apparently after a knock to the shoulder / collar area these muscles can lose 50% of their power in the first few days. These are the muscles that support the joints and bones of the shoulder when you move it and if they aren't up to strength they can allow it to slop around which can cause pain and also allow it it rest slightly out of true when you lay on it, again leading to pain and discomfort.
I have been told that i will need about another 5 weeks of physio specifically on this group to get it back to full strength again.
Perhaps you should chat with your Doc again and ask about this.

fossyant

Urgh....don't ask........

Got hit by a car at speed way back in December. Started private physio twice a week late January. Driver admitted liability, fortunately..........

Have damaged AC joint - it clunks if you rotate it, no loss of movement, but no swimming with kids, have to be careful lifting/DIY etc, but can ride, but no Sportives - far too long....

Had MRI and nerve scans because I have pain in arm and hands as well - that links to nerve damage in the neck. Still having physio twice a week, and got a follow up in July with the Consultant to see what the results are. Claim is being handled by British Cycling's solicitors, so will soon be off to another independent consultant, once the results are given to them.....

Complicated joints mate...... also totally frustrating........grrrrr flippin inattentive drivers :evil:

The Chingford Skinhead

I separated my AC joint in mid march and am only now (slowly and painfully) getting a half decent range of motion back and again only in some movements. Sadly as it was a pedestrian who ran into me (from in front of a stationary bus - thus I didn't see him comiing) and was too busy dragging my arm along the floor to ask for his details I'm reliant on the good old NHS - thus no MRI, no ultrasound and not even 1-1 physio. But I'm seeing my own guy now but darn expensive.

The Registrar said it can take 6 months to 2 years to get the full range of movement back, so I'm afraid you need to be patient. As for the pain, well, I'm about 3 months behind you in recovery but heck it hurts every day so you may just find it is to be expected. Your physio or doctor should be able to tell you more (if they are any good). The problem is the shoulder is an amazing joint in terms of the range of motion it gives the arm - but the price you pay is instability and an amazing number of muscles that must work together to make it move. It's all about time, effort and patience (I keep having to remind myself too).

Best of luck in your recovery - all three of you (four if I include myself )

knedlicky

I’ve had a collar bone break with about 1” displacement, and also two forearm breaks, and I’d say from experience and mistakes with two, that earlier physiotherapy is what you needed (12 weeks without is a long time!) and what you should now pursue, if necessary private.
Otherwise, you might end up with restricted movement of the shoulder joint – muscle and joint flexibilty doesn’t always return and by one’s 50 years old, arthritis can set in.

Sorry to be gloomy, but get moving and best of luck!

balfie

thank you chaps - I live in the highlands and it's a bit difficult to source physiotherapy, but I am now going to get that on the NHS. It is frustrating, but hey, I'm a young 50!