United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

My dog got a little hyper outside and pulled me into a fence post and I broke my bpi arm. On the plus side I didn't use it all the time anyway, but I did use it. Now I'm not aloud to use it at all for 8 weeks.
I always felt my wrist was pretty strong and my grip was strong but now I'm afraid I'll lose it. I could finally put my hair up, but it was a struggle now I know it will be a big struggle once I'm better. I don't dare tell anyone here, they just don't understand the same. I already tried.

Traci

Broken Arm!!!! You poor thing.... I will give you a big bpi hug ((((((( Traci>>>>> can you tell I am right obpi... LOL..

As for not understanding - I have had to face it that people just don't get it! Because we look almost normal they don't think we have any problems and also I don't think most complain about the things we are use to not being able to do... does that make sense?

I hope your arm feels better real soon and heals well
you did a great job of typing...

PS... if you want your post to appear as soon as you type it... log in... it took me time to learn that one and it will help with your typing...

Kath

Traci,

I broke my bpi arm about 10 years ago -- the forearm. An elevator at work slammed into me -- my bones aren't as strong in that arm and it fractured.

I didn't have any problems with use following it but was very happy to get out of the cast.

It did take longer to heal, they ortho said it was probably due to the circulation issues we have. They did ultrasound treatments 3 times a week to stimulate circulation and help with the healing. Those treatments also felt great!

Good luck.

Nancy

Traci - check this site out... http://www.arthritisusa.net
there are some slides about healing a fractured humerus...

Also - you may want to check into TES nighttime stimulation. This stim brings more circulation to an area and I have a feeling that this may be helpful for a bone break in the affected arm.
http://www.injurednewborn.com/maia/estim.html and http://www.tascnetwork.net. You may just want to email Dr. Pape directly (from TASC) and see what her opinion is on this.

So sorry you broke your arm.
-francine

Tracy
Hope you are not in much pain, I am a 48yom with lobp (rupture) on my left arm. It is very small, almost a foot shorter than the right one and I have broken the arm, hand wrist elbow, collar bone, shoulder dislocations and had 5 improvement surgeries on it as well as God knows how many surgerys to repair damage.

The most recient surgery was on my shoulder where I had a decompresion and the shoulder was fused partially to keep the ball and socket together. The cartledges and ligiments are in bad shape.

As you probably have summized by now I lead a very physically active life and played every sport going and tried to do everything I was told I could not do. I am on first name basis with the emergency personnel at the hospital.
I find that I can damage the arm including braking it and not realize it is injured and the pain is bairly noticeable but when it is out of commission you miss it big time.

Also it cam back every time quite well on its own and with some physico but the pain is getting greater it seems.

By the way, the bad arm is a cake walk loosing, don't screw up the good one, that can make like a lot more complicated.

Good Luck
Mervin

My son age 13(almost 14) broke his arm on April 1st. He didn't even know it either!!! He's doing great now and the doctor x-rayed it and said he doesn't have to wear the brace anymore...whew!
Hope you heal quickly!!!
T.

Thanks everyone, it really helped. I don't think I felt as much pain as I would have normally, since in the emergency room I was laughing the entire time. But every now and then I felt it later. It's uite stiff now without the brace and all but I'm suprised at how well it's coming back. But it's amazing how it affected my whole arm from not using it, like my elbow not bending all the way. I just have to work out the stiffness. And some I won't get back but I'm satisfied.
But you're right, I didn't know how much I actually used my right arm. I thought I'd be fine but getting dressed was the biggest chore along with the one armed bath.
Thanks again everyone!

Traci

I am glad to see things are getting better. I guess sometimes we focus on what we can't do with our little arms instead of all the many ways we use it... bet your are glad your arm is free again and able to be used again...

I hope you will soon get back your range of motion... back to exercise ....

Take care,
Kath