Right fractured shoulder - anyone else done this?

chicoingles

Hi there,

I fractured my right shoulder 5 weeks ago tomorrow after falling in a car park and I'm hopefully starting with physiotherapy on Friday. It has been treated non-operatively. I really want to know if anyone else here has done this before and how long it took you before you felt able to drive again? Also, is there any way you can tell if the bone is healing as it should? I'm not in a lot of pain anymore unless I move my arm in an awkward position. However, I can't hold it up in gravity as it just drops down again. Anyone else had this before?
Thanks!

chicoingles

Anyone at all?

heartbreak_star

We can't give medical advice I'm afraid. If you are worried about healing, speak to your doctor or physiotherapist.

You may have to be signed off to drive.

HBS x

Credit-Crunched

Do you mean clavicle? Or the shoulder blade, or surrounding bone?

I have broken my left clavicle 4 times (rugby)!

It is just a waiting game for it to heal, listen to your physio and your body, that will tell you when it's better.

My one piece of advice, is do all the exercises prescribed, when told to! It makes a huge difference.

sillyvixen

i did my left shoulder and i could not drive for about 4 1/2 months, i could not use the hand break or get the car into gear due to restricted movement, a family friend who did his right shoulder was back driving sooner. it will take as long as it takes. do what the physio tells you - the exercises are tedious but stick with it - i hate to think how long it would have taken without the physio.

chicoingles

sillyvixen wrote: »

i did my left shoulder and i could not drive for about 4 1/2 months, i could not use the hand break or get the car into gear due to restricted movement, a family friend who did his right shoulder was back driving sooner. it will take as long as it takes. do what the physio tells you - the exercises are tedious but stick with it - i hate to think how long it would have taken without the physio.

No, I want to be back to normal asap. How long did it take the family friend to drive again? I can move my right arm up quite high but if I try and hold it out in front of me it just drops down again. Does that sound familiar to you at all? I just really want to drive again! I hope it doesn't take 4 1/2 months. Obviously my left shoulder is fine. I just hope the bone is healing correctly. I don't feel pain unless I move it in awkward positions. It's range of motion and strength I lack. It's now been nearly a month and a half and I am just desperate to get better. I'm back at work (as of yesterday) on reduced hours and am getting the train which is awful as this morning mine was cancelled. If I'd driven it would have been so much better. What restrictions (if any) so you have with your left shoulder now? Was it just a simple break or did you need an operation?

trailingspouse

Before you can drive again the doctor needs to be sure that you can drive safely. For example what if you needed to swerve sharply? It's not about what's convenient for you, it's about not being a danger to the rest of us. Be patient.

chicoingles

trailingspouse wrote: »

Before you can drive again the doctor needs to be sure that you can drive safely. For example what if you needed to swerve sharply? It's not about what's convenient for you, it's about not being a danger to the rest of us. Be patient.

Yeah, I'm aware of that.

milliemonster

The reason your arm is weak is due to muscle wastage whilst it's been immobile, this is why you need physio to rebuild the muscle and regain its strength, no one can say how long it will take, the bone itself should heal within 6-8 weeks if it was a simple fracture but as for regaining enough strength in your arm you will need to ask your physio that

chicoingles

milliemonster wrote: »

The reason your arm is weak is due to muscle wastage whilst it's been immobile, this is why you need physio to rebuild the muscle and regain its strength, no one can say how long it will take, the bone itself should heal within 6-8 weeks if it was a simple fracture but as for regaining enough strength in your arm you will need to ask your physio that

Thanks for this!

sillyvixen

chicoingles wrote: »

No, I want to be back to normal asap. How long did it take the family friend to drive again? I can move my right arm up quite high but if I try and hold it out in front of me it just drops down again. Does that sound familiar to you at all? I just really want to drive again! I hope it doesn't take 4 1/2 months. Obviously my left shoulder is fine. I just hope the bone is healing correctly. I don't feel pain unless I move it in awkward positions. It's range of motion and strength I lack. It's now been nearly a month and a half and I am just desperate to get better. I'm back at work (as of yesterday) on reduced hours and am getting the train which is awful as this morning mine was cancelled. If I'd driven it would have been so much better. What restrictions (if any) so you have with your left shoulder now? Was it just a simple break or did you need an operation?

family friend was operated on 4 days later - he was driving in less than a month following op. he did as much damage as me but i had to wait for surgery (3 months) it was a complex fracture - both greater and lesser tuberosities and hairline crack on the anatomical neck - 7 1/2 weeks later (after accident not surgery) a student radiologist who was struggling to xray the correct part discovered (by accident) i had also fractured mid way down the humerus.
my shoulder will never be the same as it was - it clicks and suffers in the cold damp weather - i cant lift as much as i did in the past, and i had to change my car as my ancient car had no power steering and i could not get it off the drive - i drove my partners car to start with ubtill i changed mine.
i have my independence back and i am happy with what i have got - it could have been worse.
all the best for your recovery - give it time - dont try to rush it. it will happen in time.