My dad’s cousin is a nephrologist
he won’t take ibuprofen, and he thinks the stuff should be banned.
NSAIDs and Arnica
No adequate way to express how grateful I am for all the support and advice you all took the time to give. I’ve had plenty of bumps and bruises, but nothing this incapacitating and was really worried about its impact on my paddling. Feel more confident now, thanks to you.
pblanc, sure appreciate that ray of sunshine. I’ll do whatever PT is needed and more. Last night I signed up and paid the deposit for a late June 2016 kayak symposium.
Willow, comforting to know you made it back from the same injury, but I want to keep my coffee. Only drink two cups in the morning, heavily laced with half & half, then green tea throughout the day. No soda, no problem. Lots of calcium in my diet, plus I’m taking calcium supplements. Did pick up a hot/cold therapy pack; using it for icing now since my arm, while colorful, sure looks ugly.
I quit the NSAIDs because of this article: http://www.betterbones.com/bonefracture/speedhealing.pdf
Switched to acetaminophen; two in the morning and two at night (plan to go off the morning dose tomorrow) and trying to consume 75 grams of protein each day.
Arnica gel/cream. Get some for your first aid kit. This stuff is simply awesome. One small detail I left out (out of embarrassment) is that after I hit the ground the first time, I attempted to get up. A really dumb thing to try as I fell over and did a face plant in the gravel - my nose took the brunt of it. Couple small cuts, lots of skin off, bit my lip badly, and lots of blood. Grabbed the Arnica before going to the ER and smeared it on my face and used it liberally several times a day since Thursday (the PA at the ER wiped off my face, said something about gluing the cuts, but did nothing). No bruising and today 90% of the scabs are gone; I may be left with a small scar on the bridge of my nose, but I sure don’t look as pitiful as I did Friday morning. Arnica works!
Thank you for all the help here; you’re treasured.
another endorsement for arnica
It is great stuff. I was initially skeptical about it since it was recommended by my ultra-New Age sis-in-law (who has many cringe-worthy anti-science views on health and swears by homeopathy) but she gave me a tube when I had severely sprained my ankle several years ago. Having done the same thing (to the other ankle) previously I knew what to expect and was dreading the anticipated swelling and discoloration. But faithful applications of the arnica gel literally cut the recovery time in half and reduced the bruising and edema significantly. Since then I never travel without the stuff and have found it helps with any soft tissue ills, from bruises to tendonitis.
You do have to make sure you get the REAL stuff, not the highly diluted homeopathic versions. the A Vogel brand Atrogel is 65,000 times more potent than the homeopathic types (which are probably no more than placebo in their “effects”).
NSAIDS and renal failure
NSAIDS have become one of the most common causes of acute renal insufficiency. The problem is particularly likely to arise in the elderly and those with any sort of preexisting chronic renal insufficiency.
Get scar cream
They have it over the counter at most drug stores. I ain’t cheap for the good stuff, but it works if you are steady with it in the earlier healing stages.
They also do have glue for skin cuts at most drug stores. Another newer item for over the counter, but it works well. You find out a lot about this when you spend time with string players. That small knife slice that most people ignore often has to be glued to play while it is healing.
Thanks, Celia. Any particular brand?
Amazon has lots of choices. Might be too late for my nose, but there’s a cut above my lip that’s still healing.
Try NuSkin
If it is still around. Works as well as any of them.
Rookie, how are you 3 weeks along?
– Last Updated: Dec-16-15 5:05 PM EST –
How are things going with your fractured shoulder? Has the pain subsided yet? Getting adjusted to the mobility hassles? Did you get a lot of bruising?
I dug out a photo of what mine looked like the week after my similar break in 2012 (linked below, taken in the mirror of the motel we were staying at in the Cascades). My boyfriend at the time (the ER doc) said that kind of sharply delineated bruise is a typical indicator of a cracked bone -- blood leaks from the marrow into the spaces between the muscles and pools along them. Turned all sorts of lovely colors over the next couple of weeks. The point of impact from the fall was actually towards the back of the arm (this pic is the front). So it was not an impact bruise, just internal leakage.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/snapdoodlekid/23168430244/in/datetaken//
the time is NOW
for arm/glenohumerous exrx.com…arm weights/wrist grips/wrist rollers the almost infinite was to ex the joints…esp anti motion. Ex the opposite motions used for balance n power.
try a water jug in hands for kayak swing and canoe paddle motions while walking. Walk n swing.
try squatting n twist left right with arms outstretched for bracing…feel those upper pelvis lower back muscle stretching.
Now 50 situps with crunches, sit ups with brace reaches, medialis iso’s, leg extension stretching for anti cramp.
face the wall. stretch legs n ankles lift leg for quad stretching then both ands on wall n push left arm right arm left arm right arm…
grab the ankles n pullup, grab pull up n rotate pelvis…
now for a cold shower !
then place your head in a bucket of ice water n hold breath for 2 minutes 6 times.
when hell freeezes over …
then do some wind sprints.
Huzzah!
Thanks for asking, Willowleaf!
21 days since the start of my new adventure and so far, things are good. Your arm looks lovely compared to what mine looked like. Still bruising between my elbow and wrist, but it’s diminishing. Also looks like Popeye’s arm: skinny from shoulder to elbow, puffy from elbow to just above wrist. Attribute that to this boob-squishing shoulder immobilizer brace which keeps my arm at a 90 degree angle. A PITA and the only thing I can wear are men’s button down flannel shirts and jeans. The lumberjack look.
Never took the prescription ibuprofen stuff and quit the OTC Acetaminophen 12/4. Went back to the office 12/1. The best part of the day is taking the brace off and standing in the shower with the arm dangling. No discomfort and today I got clearance to release the brace around my chest a couple of times a day and let the arm hang for a bit. Whoopee!
Will be x-rayed again this Friday and if I have developed sufficient soft callus, may be able to ditch the brace. Probably not at night, but maybe during the day. No issues doing hand exercises or shrugging that shoulder, so maybe all the protein and calories I’ve been consuming have helped. Really want to start some PT or exercise as this couch potato stuff stinks. Hopefully I’ll get clearance on Friday to start using my treadmill if I promise to go slow (Doc I saw 11/30 read me the riot act about that when I asked).
Learned that you can do just about anything with one hand that you could do with two (so long as it isn’t large and heavy). Just takes longer. Am very grateful I’ve not had to deal with snow.
Also ditching this rental car Friday and driving my own. I shift with my right arm, which works just fine, and can take the back roads into town so I don’t have to deal with traffic. Took a short test drive Sat. and I just feel safer in my own car.
I know the hard part will come with the PT, but my attitude is: bring it on. My kayak waits for me at the pool.
What were your PT sessions like and how long did they last?
You, DK
are loco.
gnaw
but my glenohumerous are healthy.
with the Flamingo to Long key trip, a 50 miler back to back with 2-3 days layover …for the wind shift.
I was not paddling but doing equipment prep and bird research.
But came the last opportunity and a perfecto weather trip…the 68 year old arms n joints were ready and zaaaap down n back. My first long distance paddle.
Epic.
Ex that way almost every morning.
PT protocols
My PT sessions tended to be about 45 minutes. They would place those heavy damp heated gel packs on the shoulder and upper arm for about 10 minutes at first to loosen things up (always looked forward to that!) Then they would stand me in front of one of those hand pedalling machines where I would crank with both hands with very little resistance to get the joint moving. At various times I had light dumbbells that I had to raise gently in various planes. Also had to walk the hand gradually up a set of rungs on a vertical wall and pull down a cable mounted weight. None of it was too strenuous and nothing terribly painful. Mostly gentle stretching against mild resistance with 10 to 30 reps.
That’s a bummer about the tissue and lymph problems caused by the sling. Though I usually am a very agreeable and compliant patient, my orthopods quickly learn that I will strongly object to any immobilizing device that constricts soft tissue. I had surgery on my right wrist when I fractured my distal radius during an ice skating fall 7 years ago – the cast was miserable within days due to swelling and fluid entrapment – my hand swelled up like an inflated surgical glove. I insisted on having it removed and replaced but the one the PT tech put on impinged my flesh even worse. I immediately demanded to talk to the orthopod and told him I wanted the second new cast cut off. The surgery had screwed the bones together so it was not as if they were going to displace. I swore to wear a removable brace and sling and to be careful not to subject the wrist to any stress or jostling. The doc was not happy about it but he gave in. He had the PT make me a molded plastic cradle for the wrist and forearm that attached with velcro and neoprene. It was SO much more comfortable.
And honestly, I did not wear it as often as I promised. I have always been a proponent of “use it or lose it” and of keeping injured parts moving as much as is reasonably possible to keep normal circulation of all fluids and flexible movement. So far this has served me well.
in his own little world
DK only makes sense to himself. He is the king of the incoherent non sequitur.
glad you are doing well.
I enjoy your enthusiasm for paddlin, and hope you are ship shape for warm weather. On the Aleve and Advil.it is very important to stay hydtated. My Doc said since Aleve last so long he reccomends Advil as it is out of you faster and it is easier to stay well hydrated for 4 rather than 12 hours.
You got it
I am not convinced he can’t make sense, just that he really does not want to. If he is not lying about his age he is way too old to be emulating a comedy skit for normal communications. Compare his posts to the SNL Californian skits where they go on about directions. But he is unwilling to pay attention to anyone.
good for you
Also good that you were able to minimize the painkillers. They’ll be more effective when you do need them.
Make sure you tell your PT your level of activity and what you do, so they don’t just get you to sedentary condition.
Yes, very good point!
My surgeon and PT specialist have me on a pretty aggressive recovery plan because they know my lifestyle.
I had two rehab experiences
Both for neck/upper back. First time around the PT just wanted to get me back on my feet, and as a result I reached a plateau. Second experience was with a sports-focused PT who got me back to where I wanted to be.
Second best Christmas gift ever!
– Last Updated: Dec-18-15 7:37 PM EST –
(Best one was my Werner Cyprus)
Thanks, Castoff, for your good wishes and hydration suggestions. Funny how the body reacts because the first ten days I was always thirsty and seemed to drink liquids constantly. Water, tea, and lots of protein drinks. Still do.
The results of my x-rays and orthopedist appointment this afternoon were a gift that made me happy and relieved as the first orthopedist would not rule out surgery initially. Doc said there was very good soft callus development and new bone growth was evident. I hadn't realize the humerus neck was broken all the way through until today, when he showed me the x-rays (ignorance is bliss). He said it looked good enough to allow me to ditch the immobilizer/brace, except when I'm out and about in public and at night, gave me permission to get back on my treadmill, started me off on circular pendulum exercises and a bit of elbow lifting, and gave me a script for six weeks of PT twice a week. Next appointment in a month.
SP and Deuce, I called one of the two listed local PTs (there were two others the doctor warned me against) just to ask some questions and explain my situation. The therapist who happened to answer the phone said they had just finished working with a kayak instructor who was experiencing shoulder problems and that they had learned a lot about what's involved in paddling during that process. Decided to give them a try and have an appointment 12/22 for an evaluation and see if they can provide some of the stuff listed on the rehab sheet (ultrasound, electronic stimulation, iontophoresis, phonophoresis - ????). If it's not a good fit, I'll schedule an interview with the other therapist.
Again, many thanks for all for your support, suggestions, and encouragement in this thread. It's been a good learning experience in many ways. February pool sessions are on my calendar!