Lix, what about physio? You should go!

I'm trying NOT to picture him in a nurses outfit. :yikes:

Sounds like you're well on the mend Lixy...... Yippee!! :D

'course, what this means is you won't be able to go back to work for a while yet, so maybe, just maybe, we could see some pics of your, um, arm. Yes, that's it, your arm! ;)

(((Lixy)))

DM

Awwwwwwwwwww! Thanks for the smiles and well wishes guys!

Gonna let gravity do some of the therapy for now Steph...till it's healed 100%. Doc figures about 3 weeks and then, if still necessary, I'll do some therapy with a pro.



I've got a question for anyone who has ever had a full arm cast (from palm to shoulder)...

Bear in mind that I probably have carpal tunnel from my job. I say probably because I've never been diagnosed but I have all the symptoms...more so in my right wrist than my left. My cast was on my left.

Well, anyway, I had this full cast on for a mere 3 weeks and I had some discomfort with the form of the cast the whole while. Matter of fact, the day after it's placement I had a bit of numbness and stiffness in my thumb and some stiffness in my fingers. I attributed that to the carpal tunnel and just beared with it till the removal. I always felt like my wrist was in an unnatural position in the cast but I didn't want to be a baby so I never mentioned it to anyone. When it was really hot out or as the day went on my arm/wrist would swell and I had no spacing inside what-so-ever. My arm felt awkward and unnatural in any position except the way they had me hold my arm up as they casted it.

Now, sans cast, my elbow (the point of the break/fracture) doesn't hurt. It's my wrist, thumb and forearm that's giving me trouble. My wrist swells more and more as the day goes on...albeit I've only had the cast off for 2 1/2 days. I have hardly any mobility in it. It hurts to bend it up and back. It hurts to bend it down and forward. To close my fist is a feat all in itself. I've always had trouble with water retention, especially in the time leading up to my period, so I am trying to keep that at a minimum and I can tell that that is part of the problem but...

Is it normal to have another part of a casted arm hurt more after cast removal than the original break point? Should I wait a few days or report this immediatley to the doc?

I am trying to "give it time" and not overreact to something that might be fully expected. Can anyone give me some insight?

it prolly is from the cast and the way your arm was locked into that one position for so long. i'll bet it gets better (ibuprofen may help) but if there isn't any improvement in a few days, or still hurts lots after a week or so, i'd give 'em a call. i doubt there's anything they can do but you can at least let them know.

Thanks (((((wyndhy)))))!

I was hoping for that answer mostly because I hate to "bother" a doctor. I just don't want to make mountains from molehills if it's not something that can be damaging if ignored.

you're welcome! ((hugs))

but...uhm...you really shouldn't listen to me - i'm not a doctor, i onlly fuck one on TV. :D

So I take it your TV isn't the plasma kind that hangs on the wall?

*giggle*

Does it feel like when you hit your 'funny bone' (elbow) on something? Which is the nerves... could be they were kinda pinched in the cast or by the position? I agree, try ibuprofen, ice and elevate. But only for 3 or 4 days, then I'd call the doc.

(((Lixy)))

Call the doc now.

Don't panic, it's probably just getting the kinks out and circulation in, but the body is notorious for hurting in places different to the injury.

ZOINKS!

Teddy...ain't NOTHING funny about hitting the "funny bone". But my fracture wasn't even near that. It's in the upper part of the arm just as it meets the elbow, but more towards the back than on the side...if that makes sense. And no...I don't feel like a nerve is pinched. Just that I never felt natural in the cast unless I lifted it to the position they had me hold it in when they put the cast on. One can't go around with a casted arm lifted to chest level and turned a slight bit outward for 3 weeks. LOL! Oh...and I must have swelled and calmed throughout because it didn't bother me so much in the morning, but as the day went by and conditions changed (ie: humidity, cold due to weather or AC, housework...etc.) I felt a little discomfort to extreme discomfort.

I'm doing the ibuprofen, ice and elevation. I'm taking great care not to overextend my arm...as much as I want it to straighten. I'm letting gravity guide me and I'm actually scared that at some point my elbow might pop out of place for as much as I am trying not to control it. The muscles in that arm are flabby and weak...as to be expected but surprising to look at none the less.

I guess what I'm saying is...This kind of thing has never happened to me and I'm freaking because I like to have knowledge in order to "make things right". OK...I might be a bit of a control freak and I feel out of control right now!!!!

OF...I understand and I'll let ya know what the doc says as soon as I call him!

Not to worry Lixy. I think what you are experiencing is misalignustorqueusitice. :nod: That can happen if there is a teny-tiny twist during the setting and casting process. It causes the tendons to stretch a little beyond their normal length and with the dysfunctional muscle it is like the marionette with too much string in the arm. :cool:

But there is a procedure that is a sure fix. They will have to re-break the upper arm, then break the lower arm above the wrist and twist everything to the proper alignment. Accurate casting normally requires external bone pins that can be a slit nuisance unless you live in an area with poor TV reception and can also be handy when picking those extra tomatoes during harvest time. With a few months of upper torso traction and the proper 4 times a day ligament therapy, the tendons will be right back in shape and you’ll feel good as new. :D

Or maybe not. ;)
















:roflmao:

Lixy, I had a neurologist who ran a full screen of tests checking for neuropathy from my diabetes, with lead to the finding of carpal tunnel in me...the tests, which involved some mild electrical jolts being shot thru my limbs, showed me that anything going on anywhere in the arm can have an effect on the wrists & hands...no need to feel like you're being a crybaby, if it doesn't feel right, tell your doctor...it may be something that can work out in therapy later, or it might be something that shouldn't wait...

PM me if you care to hear any more of the gory details of my carpal adventures...

"pain" is normal when your cast first comes off only because you haven't used all those muscles If your getting physical therapy the "pain" should go away but ask your Dr. to make sure

Any update for us? Is the recovery coming along ok?

(((((Lixy)))))

Ok so yeah, it was an easy excuse to slip Lixy a hug. :p

Awwwwwwwwwwwwww! *sniffle* You guys are so good to me!

OK...UPDATE:

I've been to 4 therapy sessions and I can almost fully extend my arm. They've given me "home therapy" that I am taking FULL advantage of. I have no restrictions within reason.

I cannot lift more than an average daily chore would involve. In other words I can't do anything more than the ®Pledge lady of commercials in days gone by. If I make too big a lasagna I'll have to have Mr. Lixy put it in and take it from the oven. LOL!

Seriously...the docs think I am progressing by leaps and bounds. I'm getting so antsy to get back to work (<---can't believe I typed that, let alone thought it). My work is heavy lifting. Especially with my left arm. I feel ready for light work but nothing about my job is all that light.

A few more therapy sessions and I'm gonna call my orthopedic doc and tell him to move up my appt. so I can get off this sofa and ditch the friggin bon-bons!!!!

(((((IowaMan))))) <---a slipped hug backatcha!

Thank you for caring!

I Love You!

OMG...I think PF just told me not to leave the house till Christmas and stop being so selfish or I can shove it all up my ass!!??!!??











































TeeHee! And don't think I didn't notice all the pink panties/knickers on those sites!!! :undies:

LMAO.........^^^^^^^............glad to hear your on the mend Lixy!!

So glad things are getting there for you Lixy! (((((Lixy))))


Hmmmm, now I'm all distracted thinking about PF's Christmas list ideas. :p