In July 2009 I landed with my right arm extended whilst playing football (soccer) and broke my radial head into multiple pieces. It took the surgeon 5 hours to replace the radial head. Ever since the surgery I've been scouring the web day and night "researching" for some answers on my injury that I sustained over a year ago. I found medical articles provide good technical overviews (many of them outdated), various medical statistics etc of my injury but didn't really provide any real life case studies for me to relate.
So here's my story:
The radial head replacement involved the surgeon cutting a 20 cm incision along back of my elbow then screwing in a titanium rod into my radius. He then topped it off with a metal cap. The incision was stitched up with 30 metal staples.I was in a half cast for 7 days and on various pain killers. I then went back to the hospital to take out the staples. The nurse took these out with tweesers and I must say the worst part was when she rubbed alcoholic cotton rub over the skin. Some of the cotton got caught in the staples and pulled on the raw skin and the pain was excruciating!
At this point, my elbow was pretty much fixed at 90 degrees. I was told by the surgeon that I needed to exercise (force) the elbow movements at least twice a day over 10 - 12 weeks. That is, bending (flexion &extension) and rotation (pronation and supination).
A phsyio then installed a full length elbow brace. The brace completely disables the arm from rotating but allows for restricted bending. I was sent home with more pain killers. I did the exercises as directed (without the brace) over the weeks. At first it was very painful and could only cope with little rotation and bending. I did rotational movement by gently rotating it with my other hand. I would also put my forearm against the wall and gently push against it to force the arm towards my shoulder. It was very painful but i kept at it everyday.
After 1-2 weeks, I saw some improvements in my range of motion which really encouraged me. At 8 weeks I saw dramatic improvements. I was almost able to touch my shoulder with my thumb and had nearly full extension. I was out of my brace and I could drive, type freely with some pain.
After 11 weeks, I could easily touch my shoulder but my extension was a little off compared to my other arm. Nonetheless I was very happy. Also, pain in my arm subsided and I could do everyday things without any pain.
Fast forward 6 months. I took up golf again and felt minimal pain. The pain was actually tenderness around the joint but always went away after a days rest. I continued with the exercises but less regularly. maybe twice a week.
Fast forward 1.5 years. I am still playing golf and about to return to football in couple of months. I plan to do a lot of strengthening exercises for my wrist, elbow and arm. I found that using Gyroscope is quite helpful.
I realise now that when i was researching what i was really looking for was something that provided the means for people who have experiences similar injuries to share their experience in one place. At least then people can realise that they are not alone in this and hopefully share any information that may help them through the trauma as well as set some realistic expectations about their injury. These are the reasons for starting this blog (my first).
I will update this blog time to time on my progress. In the meantime, please feel free to post your questions and experiences
Cheers
Hey hoyboy,
ReplyDeletei also have the same problem as yourself in which i know no one with an first hand experience of the replacement, plenty of fractured ones though.
i have just done my first blog on the subject and would love if you'd take a look.
i noticed that this is from a few years ago, i just hope you still use it.
how are you getting on now?
Hi Buddy,
ReplyDeletei just read your blog. looks like you've had it worse than me... i broke my radial head but my elbow wasnt dislocated.
it's been almost 4 years now and I am doing ok. since my last blog, back in Feb 12, i had to have another operation to remove the radial head prothesis (titanium) because it wasn't mending well with the bone. i think it's because i took up golf too early and played too much. I played twice a week and i'm a fast swinger...
anyways, fast forward to now. I'm pretty much back to normal . I have normal range of motion (pronation and supination) Back playing football again, albeit in a low division.
I find swimming helps a alot with strengthening the muscles attached to the elbow and shoulder. i try to swim 2-3 times a week for around 1KMs. if you're into swimming look up Total Immersion - low impact swimming.
hope all goes well. keep me posted on your progress.
Cheers
Hello mate, hope you are OK. How have you been doing. Dii d you manage to get back to golf?
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI am about 11 years post radial head replacement. I was riding a bike and hit a rock and fell to the side and landed with my whole weight on my outstretched left arm. I felt the elbow bend the wrong direction when I landed on it - it was pretty awful. After the initial replacement surgery, I had a complication in the healing and had to have another surgery about 2 months later to release the ulnar nerve. It was being completely pinched by scar tissue and I was losing feeling and motor control of parts of my hand. I did physical therapy for about 2 months. I did get very good range of motion back but they pretty much attribute this to that I have extremely loose ligaments anyway - pre-injury - most of my joints are just on the loose side.
I have been doing fine mostly, but in the past year or two have started to have some minor problems, which is what got me googling it again. I'm not an overly athletic person though. It probably helps that it was my non-dominant hand/arm too. Mostly (until just recently) the only problems I'd have is if I had carried something heavier than I'm typically used to in my left arm, there would be some minor soreness.
About a year and a half ago, I started having pain a little more frequently - every now and then when I go to use my left hand for something, there will be a sharp pain on the outer top part of my elbow when I go to flex the muscles in my hand - it seems to happen inconsistently and maybe is related to the specific degree of rotation the forearm is in when I go to flex those muscles. There also is sometimes gritty feeling when I rotate my forearm - no big pops, just little hitches. I went back to the doc, I was afraid the replacement might be loosening or something. They X-rayed and the doc said it was fine - he said the implant looked very sound and firm and I didn't need to worry about it coming out or anything. He said the grittieness is called crepitation and might mean pre-arthritis.
So It's about a year later now and I have recently begun trying to do some yoga. The poses that put your weight on your forearms and wrists like Downward Facing Dog, are challenging. It doesn't hurt so much when I'm actually doing the pose as after I take my weight back off it - it is achey and sore.
So now I'm not sure - is this still arthritis? Is this something that will get better and strengthen the joint if I am consistent and work through it, or am I going to mess it up more if I do these poses that put pressure on the joint? I don't suppose y'all have any idea about this?
Oh, btw, if it is relevant, my implant is titanium and it is not fixed to the bone. It spins free - on the x-ray it looks like a mushroom shape that sits in what looks like the end of a hollow tube, which is the end of the cut off radius bone. So the shaft of the mushroom shaped implant sits down in the hollowed end of the bone. On the X-ray, it looks like it is just held in place by the positioning of the radial head pushed up against the other bones in the joint. The doctor told me it is supposed to spin free and is not actually attached to the bone. So I don't know if this is the same kind of implant y'all have - or if it is relevant to what is going on with my arm now.
Thanks for this outlet and I hope y'all have a continued good recovery. I still consider my recovery good - this pain I'm having really is pretty minor and not hard to work around. I just like to understand what is going on. I'll keep y'all posted if I find out anything helpful.
Shannon (age 43 in SC, USA)
I fell off a building at work and smashed my radius and radial head, they replaced my radial head and told me I had interosseous membrane in radio-ulnar dissociation....Basically I tore the ligaments in my wrist, forearm and elbow. I am 2 weeks post surgery and just starting physical therapy. Straightening and bending my arm, plus rotating the forearm. I feel like i will never be able to do these things again, was it bad at first for all of you? Was movement limited? I work construction and am VERY worried about long term strength and ability to move and keep my arm in weird positions for periods of time.....hope it gets better in time.
ReplyDeleteI had a trip three weeks ago landing on a kerb stine- after xray this's showed a complicated radial head fracture.
ReplyDeleteI had a sling for two weeks, this did nothing and then I was ct scanned showing that it was shattered into pieces and so I had last Thurs a radial head replacement.
However the surgeon said when he got in there he had to take away a inch of my bone plus fragments and this left my arm unstable. So I had to go back in this Thursday for the same op again with a bigger implant.
I've also had more work done on the ligaments and he's checked the stability of my wrist.
I really hope it works out ..he said I will probably never have full rotation or extention again.it's been very painful and will take months of recovery. Anyone had same ?
Hi there,
DeleteI am three months post radial head replacement. I had an accident horse riding and dislocated my elbow, smashed the radial head into several pieces, fractured the surrounding bones and sprained my wrist. I had an external fixation on for two months.
I have been having twice weekly physio therapy and movement is really limited. I've been feeling really disheartened due to slow progress (at the moment can only reach 105deg flexion and 10 extension when in a mayo brace which forces the stretch).
It's comforting to see that this is a common experience. This operation and recovery is so much more than a 'broken arm'.
I am nearing three months post injury and 2.5 months post surgery. It is nice to see that the is light at the end of the tunnel. It's just a longer journey than you're prepared for!
Hi there,
DeleteI am three months post radial head replacement. I had an accident horse riding and dislocated my elbow, smashed the radial head into several pieces, fractured the surrounding bones and sprained my wrist. I had an external fixation on for two months.
I have been having twice weekly physio therapy and movement is really limited. I've been feeling really disheartened due to slow progress (at the moment can only reach 105deg flexion and 10 extension when in a mayo brace which forces the stretch).
It's comforting to see that this is a common experience. This operation and recovery is so much more than a 'broken arm'.
I am nearing three months post injury and 2.5 months post surgery. It is nice to see that the is light at the end of the tunnel. It's just a longer journey than you're prepared for!
I too had a dislocated elbow and smashed radial head after my horse trod on my elbow when I tripped leading him to the field. Had a new radial head and ulna collateral ligament repair. That was 5 months ago - |I have had little physio but my range of movement at the elbow is good although my elbow feels weak.
DeleteJust want to know if you got back into riding again as I am desperate too but scared in case i have a fall and dislocate my elbow again.
My recovery has been complicated by damage to my median and posterior interosseus nerves which left me unable to extend my fingers
Thoughts please as this has been a long and somewhat depressing journey as I am dependent on my right hand for work as a sonographer.
I am 7 weeks post surgery. I fell on 18 th July in France. Was semi conscious with t h pain. Couldn't even stand. Any movement was unbelievably painful. I wad crossing the road. Saw my daughter and grand children, waved and fell over a small barrier that is either side of the pedestrian crossing. Waited about an hour for ambulance. Got no pain relief at hospital until the surgeon was removing pebbles from my hand. He had told me a local anaesthetic was not possible but had to grudgingly give one due to my sweating, shaking, crying as he tried to remove them with a tweezers. He left some in and they were cut out during my surgery for the radial head replacement 12 days later in Ireland, my home country. He plastered my arm and gave me a letter for the airline. I flew home 12 hours after I left the hospital in a full cast! So glad they let me on plane. I was too traumatised to go to A&E when I hot back which was a mistake. It took 10 days to get to a fracture clinic and immediately I was on emergency list. Sent to Dublin for surgery on a bank holiday Saturday. Got a top surgeon and had replacement. Had some other fracture in arm so had to get cast for another 10 days. I should have advised to get physio as soon as possible. I had to wait four weeks for public service physio. This is very annoying as I can afford private and I have good insurance!
ReplyDelete. At three weeks post surgery visit surgeon tried to bend my arm causing severe pain. I had been using a brace and a splint. She took them away and insisted I exercise more. I hadn't seen a physio yet.
At six weeks I had improved bending but straightening not good and turning wrist not good. She caused pain again twisting my wrist. I was so disheartened after my visit I was at the lowest point probably in my life. I have been doing exercises 6 times a day. I also ha d a terrible reaction to painkillers and anti inflammatory med and was off all except paracetamol. I felt that recovery of movements is impossible and I can't face another operation.
I no longer feel like that. The following day my GP gave me anaesthetic patches. I was 10 days on steroids and antihistamines for the allergic reaction. I returned to the swimming pool and I went to my Chinese acupuncturist and private physio. In the past week I have made amazing progress. Terrible that it takes money to recover. I am not rich but so fortunate to afford proper care. I probably only got that surgeon due to my health cover.
So my message is get private physio as soon as you can after surgery!
I am 64 years old.
ReplyDeleteI am 64 years old.
ReplyDeleteI had radial head replacement Aug 1 2016. When went to get staples removed the dr informed me that the BOLT moved and they have to go in AGAIN. Sept 1 they went back in and put a bigger. Longer screw in. I STILL cannot move my fingers. I am VERY DISCOURAGED. Its been AWEFUL. I am worried i will NEVER. Use my hand again
ReplyDeleteMaria where do you live, what country? It sounds terrible what you have experienced. Did you ask your doctor about your fears? I find exercises in water very good.
ReplyDeleteI am in Ohio. I go for second opinion this Friday. I went to surgeon Dec 8. Still cannot move fingers. And now my wrist is dislocated. Another surgery in March. My quality of life sucks. Just want my hand back. Life back Like i said. Been since Aug 1
DeleteWhere in Ohio? I'm in Cincinnati and I think the surgeon who fixed my elbow is fantastic! Elbows in general are just tricky no matter the surgeon, but let me know if you're nearby and I can refer mine if you're interested.
DeleteI go to aqua aerobics twice weekly. It helps my overall well being. This might sound wishy washy but it had been my life line. At my very lowest it kept me going.I am knitting again but still have pain in the fingers especially in the mornings. Moving them through the pain gets them freer. I am driving again but find the arm pains if I drive much.My operation was the day before yours. I fell mid July but spent 10 days in,a s point as I fell in France and they didn't want to operate. I flew home to Ireland and was fortunate to get a brilliant surgeon. I find theraputty good for fingers and hand. Warm packs are helpful when exercising any joint. I hope you find some relief and begin to improve
DeleteI had another surgery last tuesday. She repaired me wrist (which was dislocated. But there was NOTHING WRONG WITH MY WRIST PRIOR TO MY SURGERY AUG 1) while fixing my wrist. This dr looked to see why i cannot move my fingers and hand. She said my radial nerve gad been cut. She could not find THE OTHER END. I am looking another surgery! I am loosing my mind. Cant work. Do i need a lawyer? I WANT MY HAND
DeleteI broke my radial head 8 years ago. At the time they decided to just cast it for a week and splint it for 7. Over the years, the pain has been getting progressively worse. I went and saw a specialist who offered to scope it to clear out the scar tissue, but it's been 8-weeks and I am seeing no relief, and I'm still working on getting my ROM back.
ReplyDeleteWe have been discussing doing the radial head replacement as the original break healed with a slight displacement so it's a rough surface. I also just found out that I damaged my capitellum as well, so the two rough surfaces rubbing together has been doing quite a bit of damage. My surgeon has been trying everything he can think of to prevent doing a replacement as at 27, I'm too young, but I've tried every type of therapy, splints and the scope.
How are everyone's replacement holding up? How much pain do you still have and what activities have you been able to return to?
I shattered my radial head on October 8th while running a Mud Run. It all happened so quickly that I don't specifically remember which part of my arm hit the ground first, but I was climbing over a rope wall obstacle and slipped from the top, falling 15 feet head-first. Looking at my arm, my elbow seemed to be halfway down my forearm and I couldn't move. The paramedics came, helped me get to a tent to help and re-located my elbow, and I went to get x-rays. Turns out my radial head was in many pieces, with one large chunk forced to the opposite side of my ulna. Surgeon said he had to replace it, the radial head was in too many pieces to repair, and left the piece on the other side of the ulna to avoid another incision. Was bed ridden for a week and a half with no cast (just a nerve block), then started therapy at 3 weeks. My questions really deal with ROM because it is very concerning to me. I'm having a hard time coming to terms with the thought that I won't be able to do a lot of things that I've always done (I love sports) but it's affecting more than just my active life. Today is exactly 2 months from surgery, and I can still barely touch my face and when I do, I must crane my neck out. People look at me weird when I try to use my left arm for anything because it shakes and doesn't bend. Doing the therapy on my own is painful and very discouraging. My active ROM a couple days ago was 38 degrees flexion and 105 extension. Is it possible to still get significantly more than this slowly over time (6 mo - 1 year)? I'm trying to gauge whether or not this is the more permanent ROM I'll have. 2 weeks ago, the surgeon wasn't happy with my ROM, so he did a manipulation under anesthesia. Said he got full ROM then and the only thing stopping me was the pain. Is this true? I know there is scar tissue that builds and the fascia does not move as freely, but it also feels like the joint is grinding against the new radial head. I still pretty much have the same ROM as before the manipulation op.
ReplyDeleteThis is my exact situation right now. Have you made any progress? I feel like such a wimp. I just went through the manipulation last week but there is no change. My occupational therapist doesn't think my ROM will get any better and doesn't know why it's as painful as it is at this point in time. I had my replacement in the beginning of Feb. I will keep pushing through the pain but my progress is not sticking. I stretch and stretch and still wake up the next day unable to move my arm as far as I could the day before. I don't get it - it's not for a lack of trying.
DeleteI felt very discouraged at two to three months post op. I worked really hard and pushed past pain more than ever in life. at 12 weeks I reached the goal of functionality I think only 120 extension. I am much better now at 4months. I was also depressed and fearful but now better in that area. I am 64 years old. there is hope for you.it is painful but the pain deceased dramatically at about 3 months.
ReplyDeleteFOOSH (fell-on-outstreched-hand) and shunted elbow: fractured olecranon,ulna and radius. Had radial head insert (aka sink plunger) & plate (aka bike chain) fixed with 9 screws from mid ulna to olecranon tip. Now 8 weeks post op and recovering ROM quite well but still can't reach top buttons or fully extend The pain is bearable but insidious and you have to fight it to force the rotation exercises. My big problem is not being able to rest on my forearm due to titanium strip which I'm told won't be removed as the screws are emboned Has anyone had this plate insert and got any tips?
ReplyDeleteI set up Blip-blip app to remind me to work the arm every hour and I use microwave heat packs (get the ones with Velcro straps from Sainsburys) and also massage scar tissue with thumbs and squeeze a rubble ball to recover grip. Due to risk of nerve damage I've not been able to run but will start on new year's day which will be a big recovery mark! My advice is do the exercises and don't be kind to yourself after 6 week bone healed point and you need a physio to measure your progress each week. Good luck fractured friends!
Hi there,
ReplyDeleteI posted earlier up (horse riding accident). I empathized with your post and wanted to update you on how I'm going. I had several complications post replacement (I'm a fit 23yo but it doesn't seem like this sort of injury discriminates). I ended up having 3 surgeries all up. At 4.5 months post of I was only reaching 95deg flexion so my surgeon did a ulcer nerve transposition (as I was getting some tingling) and cleaned up the scar tissue. With a lot of time and persistence at 6 months (mid oct 16) I got to about 125deg. This seems to be where it's stuck. I can eat and do my hair at this angle, with some manouvering. I'm still getting a lot of pain and fatigue, particularly after work or swimming. However, I'm starting to think that if I want to increase quality of life, I might need to bare some pain. Just trying to find the balance. So, it's a long road, but don't give up. Keep up the physio and massage and you'll get there.
Thanks to everyone for sharing your stories. I was injured in Sept 2015. I slipped off our boat trailer and shattered my radius, broke ulna, tore every ligament in the elbow and pulled several forearm muscles away from the bone. I'm an active 33-yr old and work as a physical therapist. I have 3 little boys so had to figure out how to care for my 1-yr old during recovery (couldn't change diapers or put him in his crib for 3 months). I injured my dominant arm. I had surgery immediately and was placed in a long-arm extension splint for 10 days. I developed an abdominal infection from the surgery and was hospitalized for several days for that too. Once I could start therapy it was going fairly well with both a flexion and extensor splints. I was doing well, but I was cleared to go back to work at 4 months out and I started to lose ROM. I could only flex to 70* (could no longer touch my head or feed myself with that arm) when my surgeon did a manipulation under anesthesia. I gained motion, but immediately lost ulnar nerve function and had to have a transposition surgery a week later. I'm now almost a year out from that surgery and am just starting to get sensation and strength back in my right little fingers. Even though I'm a physical therapist, I went to a hand/elbow specialist and got my ROM to 140* flexion and -10* extension which my surgeon is thrilled about. I can function, but I now have pain any time I push with my arm straight (pushing a stroller, shopping cart, attempting push-ups) I've had a couple cortisone shots which help temporarily, but my surgeon says he may need to take out the radial head soon if I can't tolerate it. Good luck, everyone!
ReplyDeleteI hope things get better for you soon. Your movement sounds great.if he removes the radial head will you lose the function? I hope the pain improves for you.
DeleteHi J Davis. It sounds like you've got some great movement which is fantastic. It's interesting your still getting pain this late in the piece. I am in the same boat with pain. I get significant wrist pain when I 'over-do' it and the elbow will ache at the end of most days. I am psychologist so I use my arm to write and type, but otherwise the everyday strain is minimal. I've been doing some swimming and pilates which doesn't seem to aggravate it too much. I'm seeing my surgeon in a few weeks for a 6month check up post the ulnar nerve transposition, so will chat to him then about the pain. It's hard to know what's normal pain and what is atypical.
DeleteHow are you going Mary Rose? I recall you were having a tricky time.
Mary Rose- he doesn't think I'll lose the range of motion with removing the radial head, but my therapist says the radius will shift and people end up with significant wrist pain so I'm trying to put that off.
DeleteAshley- I so agree that it's hard to tell what's normal and atypical pain. We all seem to have different presentations with some variance of pain. Thanks for the tip about swimming. I've never been a swimmer, but had wanted to give that a try. Good luck!
Hoyboy how are you doing now?
ReplyDeleteCan anyone tell me if CUTTING THE RADIAL NERVE IS A COMMON PROBLEM DURING A RADIAL HEAD REPLACEMENT SURGERY
ReplyDeleteAnyone
ReplyDeleteI had ANOTHER surgery Jan 24. (3rd) Somehow during my 2nd surgery my wrist got dislocated! So. I got a different surgeon and while fixing my wrist. She tried to see why my hand would not work. She could not find THE OTHER END of my radial nerve. Apparently this happened During My 1st surgery!!!! I am sooooo distraught
ReplyDeleteHi all, I feel sorry for you all as I know how painful this is. Glad I'm not the only one feeling poop and dis heartened all I want to do is cry all the time. I'm 32. I'm 1 1/2 month post surgery, I had a radial head replacement after tripping over some boxes, I first went to the A&E in the town that I fell they did X-ray and said I had just fractured it. Sent me home with a letter to take to my local A&E to book a fracture clinic appointment (I was in a collar and cuff). I asked for a 2nd opinion and they said if I coukd move my fingers I'm fine. I could only just about move them. After week of waiting for my fracture clinic appointment and excruciating pain the DR said I had done more damage than what the other A&E told me. GREAT as this was just before Christmas, so then I had my arm put in a cast up just under my shoulder. I had a CT scan a couple of weeks later on my arm and wrist. My surgery was booked for the 27th dec. I ended up staying in 3 days due to the pain and was then put in a cast for 2 weeks. I had broke it into 5 pieces so the surgeon said he couldn't fix it back together so had to replace it. I had my cast removed then put into a brace, started physio and been about 4 times up to now. I can't fully extend, I can't reach fully up to my shoulder, so I can't eat with a knife and fork and can't do my hair. I have 3 children one of which is 17 months, so it's been extremely hard as I can't pick him up properly or change him without the excruciating pain. Also I can't move my wrist all I can do is move my fingers,but even then sometimes that's hurts I can't grip properly can't drive I just seen like I can't do anything, and I'm hoping there is light at the end of the tunnel. It's very very frustrating not being able to move especially my wrist. My scar is still abit tender and as you touch down my arm. I'm still on strong painkillers .
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone
My son suffered a football injury to his elbow and had his radial head removed - not replaced. Apparently it was an old injury he tried to power through and it only got worse. Pain and inflammation and loss of full extension in his elbow. We saw a physician, had x-rays, MRI, etc and thought it was a repairable fracture. Surgery was scheduled and once the doc got in there, realized it was much worse than thought. The inflammation was so severe he could not repair the fracture but had to remove the radial head. No replacement was done. There is no stability in his elbow now; just leaves him with the ligaments. He's a sophomore in HS and wants to return to play football his JR year. He was heartbroken when the doctor told him no contact sports PERIOD. I'm wondering why replacement of the radial head wasn't performed. And what the long term effects will be if we let him play football. Is there a brace out there that could give him some protection from further injury? If anyone can offer some guidance, that would be great.
ReplyDeleteHello everyone,
ReplyDeleteIts been many years since my last blog post and even more since my initial injury back in '09.
I thought I should give a quick update on my condition. But, before I do that just to give everyone some background - I am 38 year old male, right handed. I mentioned in my original blog that I shattered by radial head in my right elbow playing football (soccer). The surgeon replaced the radial head with a titanium implant. During a checkup the doctor saw that it wasn't mending to my bone properly so decided to take it out. I now have a gap where the radial head should be.
Its been 8 years since my first operation, I have normal range of movement of my arm. I still play golf and football casually and try to swim on a regular basis.
I do feel a dull and slight discomfort / weakness (not pain) in my arm and wrist after any exercise.
When I rotate my arm, I can feel the ligaments around the radius "click" as it rotates.
I plan to visit a elbow specialist soon to see if there's any issues. Will keep you posted.
Hi all,
ReplyDeleteThought I would give another update.
I saw my surgeon 5 weeks ago for the 6 month check up post-ulner nerve transposition (which takes me to 9 months post radial head replacement). Surgeon still not over the moon with progress. Have 120 and 20 ROM and he doesn't anticipate that will change much. Not much change in wrist or elbow pain which is often a dull ache after work or exercise as well as pins and needles in my hand when I rest my arm in particular ways. I've been told I might not ever horse ride again due to risk of re-injury and some concerns around the joint causing some bone loss. I am seeing the surgeon again in August so am hoping for more answers/direction. Who would've thought a broken arm could be so complicated!?
I fell March 7th 2017 off some stairs dislocated and fractured my radial next Thursday I have my second surgery to put in the Radiohead I'm worried I can't even move my arm at all hope everything will go great
ReplyDeleteJanuary 8 2017 fell with an extension ladder as the bottom slit out I shattered my Radiohead and they couldn't operate until January 20th 2017 they strapped my arm too much s so that I wouldn't move it so the bone spurs wouldn't create any nerve damage. My recovery will SLO but I did all the physical therapy just like they said but my arm still felt like it was not mine it was somebody else's immediate side effects for my wrist was frozen my thumb would not lift my fingers would not lift and my surgeon said elbows can be tricky. My surgeon told me that if I keep up with the physical therapy that the nerve damage will slowly go away and it may take a year but I should be able to raise my thumb and fingers and use my wrist again. After three months of physical therapy I still couldn't barely lift my thumb my wrist was frozen and my fingers would lift it was awful because it was my right hand and I'm right handed my dominant hand wasn't working my arm felt like it belonged to someone else I was uncoordinated I can barely write my name. Then I went to my chiropractor who instantly pointed out that my right arm tendon was out of place. He asked me if he could put it back in place and I said yes of course he said it's going to hurt and I said I don't care. He set my tendon back in place, I saw Stars but that was nothing compared to what I've been through the last 3 months instantly my arm felt like my own and I could use my phone my fingers my wrist and even Physical Therapy nose to humongous difference so there's a lot to be said for the Chiropractic approach to recovery from this procedure now it's almost 4 months and and even though the base of my fingers feel fat and I can barely make a fist sometimes like I have arthritis it's getting better I don't notice it everyday anymore but I do notice every week it's getting better I'm back to driving I'm back to work I can write my name my handwriting has gotten better it's not all shaky and I feel confident that I'm going to make a full recovery but it wasn't until my chiropractor did his thing that it all came together. I hope this helps somebody
ReplyDeleteJan 9th of this year I fell on the ice and fractured my elbow in 7 places. I fractured my ulna clean through, retained a slight fracture on my radial head, several fractures of the capitulum and one slight fracture on the back of the humerus. (There were fractures on other bones I can't think of the names for) Thankfully everything broke in line so no surgery was needed. Fast forward 3 weeks and I start PT, my physical therapist bends my arm in such a way that I am instantly curled in a ball on her table sobbing. She tells me that I need to force my arm into this position for as long as I can stand it, the pain is just because my arm is tight and does not want to move like that. 3 days later I called my ortho doc because I was in so much pain I was not sleeping and could not move my arm or fingers at all. An x-ray revealed that the new bone growth on my ulna had indeed been pulled apart by my PT, so she stoped PT for 3 weeks.
ReplyDeleteTwo weeks later as I was walking down my stairs I tripped on a cat toy, fell straight down 6 steps and landed on, you guessed it, my broken left elbow. My next x-ray showed I had rebroken my ulna only worse than the first time, shattered the back of my capitulum more, almost shattered my olecranon to powder, dislocated and shattered my radial head, tore straight through my ulna ligament and broke more bone off the back of my humerus. To add to that, I broke a rib and my pinky finger all on the same left side.
My first surgery was 4 weeks ago to pin and plate the ulna, clean all the bone fragments out and make sure everything would heal okay, and to find what other surgeries I might need. Everything went well until one week after surgery, My radial head dislocated. I actually felt it slide out of place, I thought no freaking way did that just happen (because it did not hurt and I was in denial at that point) so I brushed it off. 4 days later at my follow up, my surgeon came running in the room during my x-ray session cussing. The x-ray revealed that not only did the radial head dislocate, it tore off more bone, went straight through the ligament and broke even more bone off my capitulum. So.. fast forward to 1 week ago, I had surgery to replace my radial head and rebuild my ligament.
So far everything has been good, the pain was pretty overwhelming for a bit, but is slowly getting better. I have no movement at all in my elbow or wrist at all, but my fingers move great. The surgeon says providing my follow up tomorrow goes well, I will be in a cast for 4 weeks and a brace for 2 more weeks after that. Because of how much bone loss I have and the real danger of re-dislocating the new radial head, I will not be allowed to move my arm at all no physical therapy for 6 weeks. And if for some reason the radial head does dislocate again, I will have to have an external fixater put on my arm. I have not been able to work for a couple of months now, I am ready for this to be done and I feel like it's just starting again. Every pain, every movement scares the crap out of me, thinking I might have dislocated it again. This is a battle I am going to win!
My post above was from a couple of weeks ago and I'm not sure why it took so long to post.
ReplyDeleteUpdate: my work fired me last week because I finally asked for my fmla paperwork again, and they fired me. I went back to work after posting that last one, one and a half weeks after surgery. I thought I could do it full time and all ( actually I was afraid to lose my job because they were becoming less understanding as the months went on). After working one full week 8hrs a day, I was so tired I could hardly move and the pain was out of this world. Monday morning came and I slunk into work, my arm hurt I felt sick. I noticed something dripping slowly down the inside of my cast and my arm felt hot. I went to my surgeon right away and he took my cast off and found that part of the cut on my elbow had opened up and was bleeding under my cast. I went back to work the next day and the atmosphere had changed, so I ask for my fmla paperwork and they fired me.
This injury has changed my life! I am 41 and healthy, always active, not anymore. I have not been able to use my arm for over 5 months, I lost my job and what feels like my whole life to this injury. I am still in a cast for another 2 weeks and then a "monster" brace for 3 weeks and then very very slow PT. And they say I'll never lift anything heavier than 5lbs with my left arm for the rest of my life. I still have quite a bit of pain, and know, I am REALLY in for it when I start PT. I am scared, I feel lonely and isolated, it's nice to know I'm not the only one dealing with this. Not that I would ever want anyone to have this happen.
Charlie- I'm sorry to hear about your job loss and frustrations. I definitely know how you feel when you say this changes your life forever. My husband and I will talk about things "before the fall" and life is so much harder "after". I know things look bad now, but once you get on the upswing of recovery, things get easier and you may end up with more function than your surgeon suggests now. I'm a PT (don't focus oh hand/arm so still had to go to another specialist), but our surgeons are always conservative with giving people a prognosis (like telling you you'll never lift over 5 lb), then all my patients are pleasantly surprised when they do better. I hope the same will be true for you. My surgeon said I wouldn't get close to my current ROM, that I probably would have to change jobs and that I may not want to have another baby ( as I wouldn't be able to carry it in my arms). I still have pain, but am able to do my very physical job and am pregnant with a baby I'm confident I can care for. Yes, I had 6 months of horrible non-weightbearing on my R arm ( 3 mo. after 2 different surgeries), was unable to work or care for my children and 18 months of little use in my hand due to nerve damage, but life seems to get better as you learn to cope and regain some function. Sorry to ramble, I just don't want you to lose hope, as you'll need every ounce of it during rehab! You can do it!
DeleteI'm back at my consultant on Monday and not sure if he's going to decide on whether to operate again to snip the scar tissue to see if that will help with regards to my movement, I had the op at end of December and I still can't fully extend my arm or bend it upwards and the same with my wrist I still don't have full movement I'm having to drive an automatic car with one of the steering aids on
ReplyDeleteHi there, I had my scar tissue cleaned up approximately 4 months post replacement and noticed a significant difference in a few weeks post-op. I had an ulnar nerve transposition (post above) at the same time which would've also helped in gaining ROM. All the best with the appt and op if it goes that way - I hope you find it helpful!
DeleteAwww brilliant thank you it's been confirmed that they are going to do it, they said it may not work but it's worth a try. How long did the op take and what was the pain like? It can't be as bad as when I had the replacement op ☹️ Also I've 3 children to contend with one being 20 months �� So it's been so difficult these last few months so I'm really hoping it will work
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely worth a try! Op was quite lengthy, I think about 4hrs? Perhaps that was because of the ulnar nerve transposition as well, just a scare tissue clean up might be quicker.
DeleteTo be honest, pain was pretty bad. At the time I remember thinking it was worse than post- radial head replacement. However, again this pain was from the nerve transposition and it didn't last anywhere as long as the radial head op. I was in hospital for 2 nights / three days and spent the next week pretty much couch bound.
I can't imagine how difficult it's been for you with three young ones. I found the limited range of motion completely debilitating. Hopefully you see the same positive results I've had. I certainly don't take for granted being able to do my own hair! It's a long road, but it's worth it.
All the best with the op.
I fell and thought that I tore a ligament in my arm. Being that I had no health insurance I wrapped it up, out it in a sling and "let it heal". Well it healed. One day I took the homemade splint off and my arm was locked in a 90 degree position. I literally had no range of motion at all. I'm right handed and this was my right elbow so it caused a host of issues. Once I saw the complete lack of ROM I went into the ER. The doc there brushed it off as a simple break with a malfusion. Once I got to the ortho specialist it turns out that I had snapped the radial head off and it was floating in my arm and had flipped 180 degrees. He basically told me that radial head replacement was the only viable option for ever regaining ROM while also telling me that I may not ever have full use of my dominant arm and am almost guaranteed arthritis in the future.
ReplyDeleteIt's been 7 days and my recheck appointment is in two days and I am just hoping for good news. I want this plaster cast off, I want to go back to work at the animal hospital, I want to put my hair into a ponytail. The scariest part is that I have no clue what lies beneath this cast until they remove it on Friday. It has to be better than the months I spent with an arm stuck at a 90 degree angle.
I'm just venting. This is the only post I've found on the Internet that discusses the patient perspective of radial head replacement.
Hi!
DeleteJust wondering how you got on? I had my radial head replaced 2 weeks ago, and feeling the same frustration as I also work at an animal hospital and frustrated I can’t do a simple task like put my hair in a pony tail. Do you do clinical work? I wonder how long until I’m able to do that again, at the moment it feels like it could be many months.
I fell from my motorcycle, American living in Malaysia. I got the radial head replacement but I haven't been able to straighten my arm for a month, twelve days since the surgery and I'm stuck at about 40 degrees of elbow extension - 70 degrees. I am happy I can open and close my hand, swivel limited, cannot make a tight fist. I'm afraid of pushing it too hard, but most of the swelling seems to be down now. I get my stitches out in 2 days which will be 2 weeks exactly after the surgery. Any advice? It still feels tender where the cut was made, someone said I should give my body time to get used to the new part, titanium rod with the head from Acumed.
ReplyDeleteHi guys, First time blogging about anything but worried about my elbow... I broke my radial head skateboarding a pool. Minor break but the first doc decided to let it heal on its own... (worst mistake). It ended up eating the cartilage around the Ulna and scraping bone around it creating debris and rapid arthritis making a complete mess. Fast forward the new doc said (yuck) and had to clean it all up and replace the radial head. Long story short and 8 months later (after my second cast and 12 months later I cant do a single push up without extreme pain) seems due to my titanium radial head rubbing my ulna. The latest doc wants to remove the Radial head to eliminate the pain? Has anyone gone through this? I am hoping to find somebody who has gone through the removal of the prosthesis radial head to alleviate the pain.
ReplyDeleteThx!
Jim
Hi Jim, I'm in a similar boat to you. I had a radial head replacement in mid-2016. Ongoing forearm pain since Jan 2017 and just met with my surgeon yesterday. Plan is to remove the implant next week and see how that goes / if it helps improve the pain. Will keep you posted. Feeling hopeful as it's an awful way to live in pain!
DeleteHi, I'm a 41 year old female. While on holiday in turkey I fell and dislocated my elbow. Xrays were taken at the hospital which showed a total dislocation and several fractures of the radial head. Travel insurance paid for the dislocation to be fixed but operation for broken radial head would have to take place in my own country (UK) on return. I was put into a half cast and sent on my way. After returning from my holiday the following week, I visited my own a&e, xrays and CT scan were taken and showed multiple fractures in radial head. Surgery was planned in 10 days time. I had a metal radial head replacement and was again put in a half cast. In total, I spent 4.5 weeks in a cast. Once removed the pain was terrible and very little movement at all. I have seen physio and have exercises to do but have been warned that I will be left with limited movement as damage to joint was so severe. I'm now 1 month since having cast removed, I have a lot more movement although a can not flex my elbow much due to severe pain. My wrist, elbow and shoulder ache severely all day and I also still experience pain in my elbow. I do not sleep well due to elbow being so stiff, I have to move my arm and fingers myself to get them going. I have remained very positive but I have been in pain every day for last 2 month's with so end in sight and it does get you down at times
ReplyDeleteI'm pleased I found these comments, I also have a Radial head replacement as a consequence of a nasty motorcycle accident 12 months ago. My dominant arm suffered a lot of trauma, broken ulna that has now had two plates, I had an issue with an infection and the first plate was removed and replaced , still having dramas with non union, my hand also suffered some trauma and has had plates fitted and now removed.
ReplyDeleteMy ROM is not great due to all the trauma, the radial head has been the least problematic, but I'm inquisitive as to long term effects.
I fell at work coming off a step stool directly onto my right side hurting my elbow, shoulder and wrist. Mainly fractured radial head and torn rotator cuff. Emergency room told me to go to orthopedic surgeon i didn't until 3 months later. After a couple days off worked for three months before coming to the conclusion it wasn't going to heal.
ReplyDeleteSurgeon replaced radial head. I think to close to bone because it moved before i could even start therapy. 2nd radial head still tons of pain and grinding and popping. 2nd doctor went in and did arthroscopic surgery coming to the conclusion the head was to big and rubbing on bone hence why i can't fully extend my arm. So now he's going in to fix shoulder to give my elbow a break before going back in to replace head of prosthesis with a smaller one.
So pissed.
Wow, your having a bad run, hope it works out soon and you move forward.
DeleteThanks, shoulders healing and getting options to move forward with messed up radial head prosthesis
DeleteI am 67 years old now and four on from surgery have no problems at wll with arm
ReplyDeleteWell I did expect so many experiences here, but I'll share mine.
ReplyDelete3 years ago I got in a motorcycle accident, I fractured my T9 vertebrae, which was fused together with 6 others. and more to the point here. I had compound fractured my right ulna & shattered my radial head. after which I had an infection due to my landing unconscious in a drainage ditch. got some ground juices in my gaping arm wound. and 7 surgeries after that to clean it out.
It's my understanding that I'll have lots of scar tissue due to the multiple surgeries. I didn't do physical therapy, as I had no insurance. I have about 80% range of motion with the arm. I did do the home exercises. it's now 3 years later, I rarely go to the doctor. but I know I'll need another surgery to the r.head as it's not setting right. but the only pain I get from it is when I press down. the accident also took out a good chunk of muscle & tendon. so you can literally see the tendon moveing atop the bone.
I just started working out again, I am limited by what exercises I can do. as the stress on it feels bad. and sometimes I rest for an extra day.
Another thing, I was hooked on opiates for the entire time. but holyshit. kratom has been a lifesaver. it seriously helps with my back and arm if it hurts.
I tripped over my cat in August 2019. Shattered right elbow and had radial head surgery. Had physio for 6 months. Arm still aches and throbs. Not great as it is my dominant arm.
ReplyDelete