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The normal course of an uncomplicated bone fracture

by derekwong28
8 replies
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Last week, I fractured my L shoulder blade while riding my bicycle. I was told that because the area is well surrounded by muscle, the fracture usally heals without complications without the need for surgery. I don't really need a sling or other immobilization device to hold the bones in place. But I am a bit confused as to how much exercise should I do at this point. The risk is that I will get a nasty frozen shoulder once the fracture has healed and which could take months to recover. According to text books, in a normal fracture.

0-2 weeks - inflammation e.g. clearing up of the debirs
2-4 weeks - new soft bone formation
4-6 weeks - hard bone formation

After 6 weeks, the fracture is essentially healed but years of re-modelling may then take place.

The question is how much exercise should I do now? Should I push the range of movement or take it easy? I am not due to have the first physiotherapy until November 3rd which would be 6 weeks after the fracture. Is it worth seeing a private physiotherapist before that date? Your experience and advice would be highly appreciated.

Derek
  • Profile picture of the author thunderbird
    Derek, aren't you an MD? Who are you asking?
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    • Profile picture of the author derekwong28
      Originally Posted by thunderbird View Post

      Derek, aren't you an MD? Who are you asking?
      Orthopedics was my worse subject and I haven't touched it since medical school.

      Also, things are different when you are a patient. There are just things that you do not appreciate when you study textbooks only.

      I was admitted to hospital for a day (although I took home leave) and was very disspointed. There was very little communication from the Junior doctor in charge. I only got more information when I talked to the consultant in charge.

      I know next to nothing about physiotherapy and I would really like to hear some patient experiences.
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  • Profile picture of the author thunderbird
    OK, well, in my case, I don't force it initially, just start off gently. Over time expand the range of movement. It depends on my injury, of course.

    Check out ehow.com:
    physiotherapy bone fracture shoulder | eHow Search
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  • Profile picture of the author dooneybourke
    bone fracture is a very serious problem, should deal with soon, or maybe cannt recover, thank you very much for your post.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kelly Verge
    Derek,

    For the first few weeks the pain will tell you how much movement is too much.

    Towards the end of the healing period, your tendons and muscles will be tight from lack of motion and your therapy will basically be to restore full range of motion.

    I don't know much about a broken shoulder blade, however, I had a broken clavicle when I was in my 20's - another bone that's typically not immobilized. With my collar bone, I simply listened to the pain, and my recovery was pretty fast.

    Last year I broke a carpal in my left wrist (the triquetrum, if it matters). My wrist was completely immobilized, and because of this, 100% pain-free flexibility took nearly a year.

    I suspect that due to the motion of the shoulder blade, your recovery will be longer than a collar bone but less than a wrist.

    Regardless, don't push it beyond the pain point until 6 weeks have passed.

    Pro athletes push the envelope quite a bit working with a specialized trainer. If super-speedy recovery really matters, that is an option, but don't do it solo.
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    • Profile picture of the author derekwong28
      Originally Posted by Kelly Verge View Post

      Derek,


      I don't know much about a broken shoulder blade, however, I had a broken clavicle when I was in my 20's - another bone that's typically not immobilized. With my collar bone, I simply listened to the pain, and my recovery was pretty fast.

      .
      Thanks Kelly, I wonder if you remember roughtly the timescale involved with your clavicle fracture? When did you start moving it and how long did it to attain full movement.

      I have not suffered any stationary pain since the second day. But there is pain on movement. Obvsiously I cannot move it much because basically my shoulder region is detached from the main skeleton, and therefore there is no anchor to move the shoulder.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kelly Verge
    It was 20+ years ago, but I think I had a great deal of pain with any upper arm motion for the first three weeks. After that I began easing into full motion.

    I'm sure you're probably experiencing some of the same things I remember - bedtime was torture.
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  • Profile picture of the author derekwong28
    Kelly, I wonder did you try to drive a car during the first few weeks? I suppose you would have to use one arm only.
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