Feek's broken arm thread (now with plate, pins and screws x-ray, staples/wound and tongue surgery)

[Feek]

Walking home from a friend's house last night, I tripped on a pothole and went down like a sack of proverbial spuds. My right arm took the brunt of my fall although I think my head must have bounced on the round as well. I've got lacerations on my chin and a huge cut on my tongue where I bit it.

I laid there for a bit, unable to get up. It's good to know that the fall detection feature of my watch kicked in and it wanted to call the emergency services but I stopped it. With hindsight, perhaps I should have let it make the call but we all know what us blokes are like and I didn't have any idea how badly hurt I was.

Some passers by stopped to help and a few minutes later, a Police car stopped. They checked me over, got me in their car and brought me home.

Mrs. Feek and LMF took me to A&E which thankfully wasn't busy. I was checked over and given an x-ray which showed my upper right arm (humerus) is broken in "at least" four places. We got back home at around 05:30 this morning.

Because of where it is, it can't be plastered so I've got to keep my arm in a sling for six weeks for it to heal. The doctor described this as a very bad break.



I can't drive and I'll be talking to the doctor tomorrow for a certificate.

This is not a medical thread. I'm not asking for advice, just saying "ow, it hurts".

 

[Feek]

Any break that's expected to unite with 6 weeks in a sling is not a 'very bad break

I'm only reporting what the doctor said. He made some comment about the possibility of surgery but I don't remember exactly what was said.

 

[Feek]

run it under cold water for a few mins and you’ll be right

Add a splash of t-cut for the bruising?

 

[Feek]

Is it *really* serious or are you able to drink left handed?

I can but opening the bottle and cutting the garnish is proving tricky.

 

[Feek]

Good luck mate, break a leg and all that!

I've never broken a bone before and have often wondered what the experience is like. I can comfortably say that I'm not a fan.

 

[Feek]

Thanks for the thoughts everyone.

Ouch. How bad is it on the pain level?

Sitting here at my desk, not moving it, it's fine. However, as soon as I move around, start to get up, etc I would put it at an 8, going to 9.5 at times.

Geezus how far did you fall for you to break your arm that badly??

I walk really quickly, the momentum would have launched me at the deck with a lot of force. It was cold and I was keen to get home so I was giving it some.

Saturday night hum?

I'm not saying I'd not had a few but I was far short of being ****holed.

Colleague of mine did practically the same thing a few years back but unfortunately by chance hit his head on a small stone that was just sat in the pavement where he fell, it killed him outright.

Yup, I'm aware that it could have been a lot worse. I did knock my lower jaw quite hard and closer inspection of my tongue earlier this evening shows I bit almost all the way through. It's not pretty.

Can you use it at all or are you looking at a left-handed wipemare?

Can't use it at all.

Since I had an injury I don't trust this "we can't do anything keep it in a sling" Best keep on top of them just to make sure it is healing correctly.

I'm going to push for weekly x-rays if I can to make sure it's healing.

It's a little annoying that all though my working life, I've had private medical care except for my current job.

 

[Feek]

Out if interest if you hadn’t lost the weight, do you think your injury would have been worse?

I don't know, really no idea how different it would have been.

I'm self-employed and would be completely screwed if this happened to me

Is it possible to get insurance against this sort of thing if you're self employed?

 

[Feek]

Are work ok with you having 6 weeks off?

I've not been signed off yet, the hospital doesn't do that, I need to talk to my doctor tomorrow and I have no idea how long I'll be signed off for. I've just moved to a new team so it wouldn't be the end of the world if they sign me off for the full six weeks as I'm not fully integrated yet.

 

[Feek]

I had 4 weeks without anything longer than an hour of sleep at a time until I was awake with pain

40 minutes is the best I've managed so far. Generally it's 20 to 30 minutes before I wake up and have to move my position. I've found I can get up, walk around a bit and then get back into bed and then I can get another few minutes sleep.

 

[Feek]

Not sure where in the world you are but if you're close to me and need anything let me know!

We're less than twenty miles apart so if you can nip to Tesco for my weekly shop, that'd be really useful, thanks

 

[Feek]

First chance to see the bruising. I'll spoilerise it as it's not pretty

Spoiler

 

[Feek]

More bruising

Spoiler

 

[Feek]

Problem solved

I asked the consultant about those and was told no. He asked how I'd feel about the seatbelt holding pressure against the broken part of my arm and then what I'd do if it started raining.

 

[Feek]

I’ve seen the consultant and I have to have surgery on my shoulder. I asked how many fractures there are and he stopped counting at eight. He described it as totally shattered and a ‘mush’ in there.

He said that when it’s all done, the best case scenario (one which he’d call a success) is where I can raise my arm to shoulder height.

It’s being done next Tuesday.

 

[Feek]

Any break that's expected to unite with 6 weeks in a sling is not a 'very bad break'.

Yeah, no.

 

[Feek]

Damn, so even if it's a "success" you're going to be left with impaired usage of your arm .

Shouldn't affect your cycling, I hope.

Yup, that’s the bottom line.

I don’t cycle much, haven’t been on the bike at all this year but this shouldn’t affect my walking.

I do feel that I should probably sell my bowling balls though.

 

[Feek]

Surgery tomorrow and I have to say that I'm a bit nervous. The last time I had a general anaesthetic was about thirty five years ago when I had an ingrowing toenail removed.

Latest bruise picture.

Spoiler

 

[Feek]

How big was the kerb? Was it a pallet of kerbs?

I don't know. I was too busy lying on the ground, feeling sorry for myself and hoping someone would stop to help.

 

[Feek]

Best wishes for you tomorrow, hope it all goes well.

Good luck for tomorrow Feek.

All the best for tomorrow.

Good luck for tomorrow!

Good luck hope all goes well.

Best of luck Feek!

Good luck.

Thank you all. I'll report back tomorrow.

 

[Feek]

Just been told that I’m getting a plate and around ten pins to hold it all together. They won’t be taken out, they’re mine to keep.