You may also be required to wear your arm in a sling, thus limiting the use of your elbow, wrist, and hand. Broken wrist from a car accident and after the cast was removed I can’t flip my hand palm up and my hand and wrist are extremely stiff with limited movement. Now ... 2. Upon standing up, something in my left arm felt off. But, exercises for your hand and fingers can help. I flipped over the handlebars of my bicycle and cracked both my right wrist and elbow. I fractured my elbow 5.5 weeks ago, x-rayed and sling for 2 weeks. Before removing the cast, the doctor will examine your limb (the part of your body where the cast was, like your arm or leg). I found this post because I’m dealing with the same thing. I also get pain in my wrist and hand. January 21, 2015, 1:00am #1. I thought she would do that for life! He got all his strength and flexibility back, and cured the associated back pain. I broke my radial head 4.5 weeks ago. It is normal to experience pain, stiffness and swelling of the immobilized joint that can persist for some days after cast removal, not to mention skin scaling. The relief you feel after a cast is removed from your leg or foot can be quickly replaced by a feeling of unease about walking again. If so, a fifth of patients lose the ability to straighten their arm in the long-term. What to expect: When the cast is removed, it is not unusual to experience some pain, swelling and stiffness of the joint for a few Even if a woman didn't have lymphedema, other arm problems happened after surgery. My mum fractured hers 10 years ago and can only get it 90% straight. Can’t straighten it all the way? It’s usually easier to gain motion immediately following an injury, but progress can often be made even years following, depending on the reason(s) behind the limited motion. (See photo above) 1. He had to have physio which helped quite a lot but he was still maybe an inch off touching his shoulder when he was discharged. (ie fixed and more!) My experience in working with clients who can’t move after a cast is removed, even though they are doing physical therapy, is that the muscles are so tight that the only way to release the tension is to do very deep, focused and not-sliding therapy on each muscle that inserts into the joint. I just turned 16 back in Feb and im about 6 feet and weigh 170. By all means arrange some physiotherapy (NHS through your GP or privately) but don't wait for this to happen. You will probably have a lot more improvement to come over the next few months. If you cannot fully straighten your elbow, try this simple exercise. Even if a woman didn't have lymphedema, other arm problems happened after surgery. Try not to despair. She worked bloody hard for that as well. I cannot straighten my right arm all the way. After the cast came off, if he brought his hand up towards him, he could not touch his shoulder. The doctor never prescribed any physical therapy or anything. Sometimes, X-rays or MRI scans will be required to confirm the diagnosis, ruling out other conditions. Without doing an examination I am unable to comment on the specifics of your condition. I cannot fully straighten my arm. I probably won't compete at the Olympics in anything but otherwise life is pretty good, and if nothing else the experience has been "character-building".Hope you get physio soon anyway, and then make sure you do the homework they set you. to feel so very unnerved by Britney’s Instagram? Is there anything I can do to regain my range of motion? The doctor said my elbow needed to be able to move in order to heal properly. Ask if he thinks there will be a bump or deformity after the cast comes … If you can't straighten arm, not because the above causes, sometimes there can be a loose body present in the joint, which does not allow full extension of the arm. For some patients—such as those who are older, have osteoarthritis, or were victims of a high energy break such as from a car accident— this stiffness may last up to 2 years. I noticed about 1 week ago after one of my games, my arm was very tense. After maybe 5 or so sessions I was able to touch my shoulder and reach behind my neck to put on a necklace. Update - GP reckons the fracture hasn’t set properly. In general, there are various reasons why elbow motion can remain limited following a fracture. ok so i fell on my hand at dance and my arm went numb and then shortly after i was unable to extend it or touch my shoulder. Even when my wife pushes down on my arm with all her might, it will not completely straighten and it never seems to make a difference. ... inability to move or straighten the arm; ... these are normally removed in the doctor’s office three to four weeks after … The relief you feel after a cast is removed from your leg or foot can be quickly replaced by a feeling of unease about walking again. Whenever I apply weight and force my arm flat, it causes pain and discomfort. Give it time. I have managed to break both elbows right one 2013 and left one 2016. I warmed up and cooled down aerobically, but didn't do any real stretching. If you can't straighten your arm after a workout, you may be experiencing delayed-onset muscle soreness. It will locate the pain by flexing the arm, elbow and wrist. My arm just springs right back to the same position at 40 degrees. Surgery is rarely needed for a sprain. If you've broken your wrist, you might be surprised to notice stiffness in your hand after wrist fracture. If your elbow hurts and you can’t straighten your arm, you should definitely not leave it to pass itself if the problem persists beyond a few days. They say it can take up to 12 months for full control. Gently rub your skin dry with a soft towel. If everything seems OK, the doctor or a cast technician will remove the cast with a special saw. I'm just used to it now! This included a massage of the elbow tendons, ligaments and also the surrounding muscles. You need urgent physio.. See what Mumsnetters thought of Homepride Slow Cooker Sauces, Quick Lane's experts have answered your car maintenance questions, Your questions on menopause have been answered by Dr Michelle Griffin, Broken elbow - still can’t straighten arm, Talk widget showing discussions of the day & trending threads, Subscribe to Mumsnet emails direct to your inbox. Removal of scaly, dead skin after cast removal Step #1 Soak your skin in lukewarm water. I think I’ll make a GP appointment and I guess I need physio but they’ll be a long waiting list unless I go privately. I had a back slab temporary cast fitted for 3 weeks and was then put in to a full cast with a further x-ray, this showed that the bones had moved out of alignment. Presumably it was a radial head fracture if you were treated in a sling and not followed up? But the elbow won’t straighten? I have never recovered a full extension in that elbow, despite lots of exercises as it was healing. If the activity is of low intensity like walking, these fib… There will also be dry scaly skin around the arm. My toddler broke her elbow and just got the cast removed but the elbow is yet to be straightened. The orthopaedic surgeon assured me the elbow will be straight with time but I'm loosing my patience. When the cast is off, you may notice: The skin that was under the cast looks pale, dry, or … And when I say “stiff”, I don’t just mean “tight”, I mean you’re unable to get your arm to move as it normally should – and this can be very limiting. If you have medical concerns, please seek medical attention; if you think your problem could be acute, do so immediately. It was never like that prior and the hair looks quite dark, thick, and long. It is normal to experience pain, stiffness and swelling of the immobilized joint that can persist for some days after cast removal, not to mention skin scaling. I’ve been referered to orthopaedics. A person who cannot fully bend or straighten the elbow after an injury should see a doctor. I expected some initial soreness and stiffness but after weeks, the stiffness never went away. To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account. No follow up at fracture clinic. However, patients, even during this period, must perceive a progressive and rapid improvement. Orthopaedics Today Europe | Elbow stiffness following trauma, surgery or due to joint degeneration is a common problem that can significantly impede upper … The doctor never prescribed any physical therapy or anything. Prior to the break, it hyperextended. At 18 months after surgery, 75% of the women still had at least one mild problem. After the cast is removed, it’s normal for the wrist to be stiff for 1 to 2 months. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. The cast is taken off with a small electrical saw. In this same position, a person should be able to rotate his or her hand inward so that … Sometimes a hard cast may be enough to promote healing. It’s like my elbow just hits a stop and will not extend any further. First session massive improvement but still quite a way to go, then a bit more movement with other sessions. Using your wrist only, move your hand down towards the floor. If so, a fifth of patients lose the ability to straighten their arm in the long-term. However, patients, even during this period, must perceive a progressive and rapid improvement. Throughout wearing the cast and after it was removed, I could never fully extend my arm. I’ve had a couple of physio seasons but hasn’t improved. After an initial assessment and questionnaire the physical examination of the elbow began. My dd was in a solid cast for 6 weeks following fracturing her elbow and still held it at 90 degrees when the cast came off! What to ask your doctor. I am 4 weeks into a radial fracture and cannot straighten. Have you had another update. I am starting PT on Wednesday but I feel I need a trigger point massage first. I don’t want to be a drama llama but that’s depressing. The bad news is that it may take a few years to fully straighten out. Has Your Surgery Been Postponed by COVID-19? Hi OP I broke my elbow a couple of years back and when I went sling-free could hardly move it (90 degrees). At 18 months after surgery, more than 37% of the women still had a moderate or severe problem. Six months after surgery, about half the women had a moderate or severe arm problem. I just thought that was normal. Most people with elbow pain also report the inability to straighten their arm. It is so worth it. She feels pain whenever i try to assist her to straighten it. The doctor may want to take an X-ray of the limb when it’s still in the cast and check things like your pain level. And I took some Advil but still can't straighten it all the way. inability to move or straighten the arm; ... A cast or a splint can be used to immobilize the joint and allow the natural healing process to begin. He is now nearly 15 and can touch his shoulder no problem. Six months after surgery, about half the women had a moderate or severe arm problem. I had a left arm distal radius fracture going straight across on 21st October. I've just recovered from a fractured elbow. Yes please. Providence St. Joseph Medical Center Balance & Vestibular Clinic, Providence St. Joseph Medical Center In-patient/Acute Rehab, Notice of Nondiscrimination and Accessibility Rights, October 01, 2020 - October 07, 2021 - 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM. The hospital put me in a cast that immobilized my wrist but it stopped short of my elbow. Can physical therapy help hammertoes and bunions? After 2 weeks at the fracture clinic review I was asked did I want physio. After the cast is removed, it is normal for there to be some discomfort in the bones and joints that were immobilized, for the arm or leg to be smaller than the other side, and for the skin to have some changes (dry skin and more hair). It took a long while but I can assure you that now - 2 years on - the elbow that was fractured over-extends even more than the other one now! Can't Fully straighten arm. Discomfort months after duster bicep tendon repair, Pain returning after recovering from mid tibia stress fracture. Are You Experiencing Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Pain? I pitched … (Ref 2, activity). A cast was placed around your arm to prevent movement of the joints and muscles to allow the fractured bone and/or injured tissues to heal in a good position. My partner instantly knew that I’d seriously hurt myself. Causes no pain at all however gets in the way of lifting weight above head and boxing as I have to aim differently due to the arm never being able to fully straighten. I worked hard at it, with exercises every day for at least two months.It's best not to rush or overwork a broken elbow as that can cause related problems.How is the movement in your wrist and hand? The orthopaedic surgeon assured me the elbow will be straight with time but I'm loosing my patience.