This broken shoulder has been a learning experience

Marie5656

Marie5656

SF VIP
Location
Batavia, NY
Now, I have had a broken arm before, but never a shoulder. This has been quite a learning experience for me. I have no cast, just a sling. I have learned to better appreciate those of my friends with limited mobility, or use of an arm. I have had to learn to adapt how I do things, and learn my limitations. I am not complaining (well, maybe just a little when it really hurts), but it is tough when you cannot do things you take as habit. I am not allow to lift anything heavy with my left arm. Have had to ask my husband to do household chores I usually do. It even asked him to help me fasten my seat belt.
Wow. But, on the plus side, I am allowed to drive. Though probably will not be much for a while. My adaption is that I use my cane to reach over to close the car door. I can sweep the floor..sort of. I have one those dust pans with a handle, so I can set it on the floor, sweep stuff into it, and carry it over to throw out.
I went to the doctor the other day and have been pronounced "healing well". I go back in a month where it will be determined if I need to consider the surgery on my rotator cuff, which I have been putting off. This injury may have made the decision for me.
 

Several years ago I injured my left shoulder while working out with weights. I didn't pay it much attention at the time, but a few months later I went to backhand a stick off my lawn and the pain ripped through my shoulder like a knife. Long story short, I developed frozen shoulder syndrome to the point where I could not lift my arm more than 30 degrees. I had surgery on it and the doctor told my wife that the shoulder was a mess. I had a tear, plus debris in the shoulder capsule. The surgery left my arm in a sling for about 10 days, during which the arm had to remain stable. Meant sleeping on my back for quite some time. For a long time I could not roll over on it. The shoulder had no mobility and I was frequently having pain at night.

The rehab was a bear, really uncomfortable. I was diligent about it and did have a successful result, but it took about a year to get full mobility back. Today it's still bothersome as I hurt it recently, but much better than before the surgery.
 
Glad you're healing well Marie, it must be tough to deal with that but it sounds like you're getting along just fine. Hope you continue to heal and get better and the pain lessens. Good luck with your upcoming visit...hugs.
 

Sorry about the shoulder, Marie. How did you break it?

I once had a bad cut on my finger, and had to wear a splint for a few days to allow it to heal. Even that was incredibly disabling. It was on my right hand, and I am right-handed, so I couldn't write at all, or do a lot of the other things I usually do. We probably never appreciate our bodies until we are deprived of part of their functioning.
 
I dealt with a shoulder break and joint replacement several years ago. I'm sorry you are having to go through it. No fun at all. I slowly regained good use but with limits for anything above my shoulder or behind my back. I think my age (ancient) was a big factor in not regaining full range of motion. My biggest problem was finding a comfortable position for sleep. I wish you well with your recovery.
 
Marie, glad you're 'coming along'. Yes, we get used to all our moving parts, and an injury makes us appreciate them.

A friend's son is a drummer with the symphony orchestra. I went with her once to watch rehearsal. He was saying how a shoulder injury can really sidestep or end such a career. I never thought of it, but a drummer does quite a bit of reaching.

Take care. :)
 
Sunny said:
Sorry about the shoulder, Marie. How did you break it?

I once had a bad cut on my finger, and had to wear a splint for a few days to allow it to heal. Even that was incredibly disabling. It was on my right hand, and I am right-handed, so I couldn't write at all, or do a lot of the other things I usually do. We probably never appreciate our bodies until we are deprived of part of their functioning.
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About a week and a half ago, I tripped and took a bad fall. Long story short...here I sit with a sling. I had already had issues with the rotator cuff, so we will see if I will need surgery. I am glad I am already retired, as no way I could work with this.
 
This is one thing I like about this forum, being able to share life events and issues with others who have "been there--done that" and can share insight and experiences. This place has a lot to offer, if you know where to look
 
I had a rotator cuff repair. Just my opinion, but since you've broken it, you should probably get the surgery; they can make sure the fracture is healing properly while they're in there. My surgeon found a second smaller tear while repairing the one she knew about. Only a tiny portion of the smaller one was visible in the MRI. So, anyway, she repaired both. I healed very quickly but experienced aching pain and limited range of motion for about 5 months. Small potatoes compared to before surgery, though. The scars are very minimal, too. You can't even see them unless I point them out...and I have to really look hard for them.
 

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