Broken Humerus - First Day In Hospital

The problem with breaking your humerus, isn't so much the break, it's how to fix it (this is going to become a running theme!) quickly and effectively... how to reduce the pain and discomfort, stabilise the break so it can heal and return the patient to as close to 100% mobility, functionality and range as possible.

A visit from the consultant orthopedic surgeon was the first order of the day. Mr Surgeon Man (no permission to name him has been obtained so I won't break privacy laws) is a renowned surgeon in his field and after reviewing my xrays decided that a humerus fracture brace would be sufficient to restrict the fracture and hold it in place so it could begin to unite. In his words, I had a "clean, mid-shaft fracture of the humerus" which was a "perfect candidate" for the use of a brace and therefore avoid surgical intervention.

Brilliant, get me fitted and get me out of here away from "the poor old dear who had obviously left her marbles somewhere back in 1973 who refuses to sleep".

Not bloody likely.

You must take note that at this point my arm from about 2 inches below the shoulder, is hanging by muscles and tendons, being supported by a backslab cast and some bandages, and that's about it. Any movement of the arm is going to cause raw ends of broken bone to rub against each other, and that's a one way ticket to PainVille right there.

Enter: Mr Occupational Therapy Man who has come to fit me with a brace. Two pieces of moulded plastic which compress everything in your arm, thus holding the bone straight to encourage union, as modelled below:

Those who are interested, there's a blurry picture of my own modelling of said brace here.

The process went something a little like this:

1. Remove backslab cast
2. Support arm from elbow to minimise disruption of the humerus
3. Try not to passout from pain
4. Request to sit down as pain is too great and starting to get that dizzy, room spinning feeling again
5. Wait a while
6. Go for it, slide both slabs of plastic around the arm
7. Tighten
8. Try, again, to not pass out from pain
9. Success

Time for a mix of Diclofenac, Tramadol and Paracetamol IV and back to sleep I go... what with the sleepless night, rest was well received.

I'm woken later that afternoon by Mr Surgeon Man who informs me that another night stay is probably for the best... I inform him that a change of room or a prescription for sleeping medication is probably for the best given the other inhabitant of the ward. He agrees, at least sleep will come easier tonight...