Bone Fracture

[denby04]

I have fractured the bone at the top of my arm (2 weeks ago). My arm is in a sling for support but the pain I am suffering is midway between my shoulder and my elbow. It's also still very bruised. Not sure if to go back to A&E or my doctors or if this is normal as I have never fractured, broken or sprained any limb in my entire 50+ years. Any advice please.

[Davethedog]

If you are in pain go the doctors/hospital don't delay GO!

[Sqad]

Which bone?.Is it plastered or just in a sling without plaster.
Take Ibuprofen 600mgms twice daily and that should settle it.
Keep us informed eh!

[LoftyLottie]

Please go back A&E. I broke my elbow many years ago and was in an awful lot of pain. All they did was alter the type of sling and it made a world of difference. You shouldn't be experiencing pain like this after two weeks in my opinion (I have had quite a few breaks!)

[denby04]

Thanks all. Sqad, it's the knuckle bit of the bone fhat fits into the shoulder socket. Not in plaster, just a spongy sling. The aches and pain is the outer bone in the middle of the upper arm . I reckon a visit to surgery is on my agenda for tomorrow.

[Sqad]

denby, thanks, it doesn't seem to be anything serious, but if you feel you would like to see your GPthen that is fine.

[SMP]

I broke my shoulder just before Christmas. I broke the humerus completely where it meets the humeral head and fractured the head as well. I also had pain like you describe, as well as a lot of pain around the elbow.
Have you got the type of sling that covers the lower arm or the one that just fits round the wrist?
I also had awful bruising that took the best part of 5-6 weeks to go.
Are you sleeping in the sling? I was told I had to but by about 3 weeks post break I found that keeping my arm in that right angle position absolute agony. I would wake up crying because it was so stiff.
I used to lengthen the strap at night so I could straighten my arm while in bed.
I was told at my 3 week appt to start gentle excercises, just letting the arm hang and moving it back and forward slightly.
This I did as much as I could and it really helped, especially as due to Christmas I couldn't start physio until 6 weeks post break.
One thing that really helped was my grandson's beanbag especially in bed. it moulds to shape and I found it very comfortable.
Do take painkillers if you need them and contact your fracture clinic if you are at all worried.