dislocated elbow

[lph]

i went bouldering this afternoon, indoor rock climnbing on a low wall with thick pad underneath, fell from the top, came down sideways and dislocated my left elbow. omg, thatr hurt...

long story short, i'm now deeply deeply grateful for morphine and bonesetters, and have a few weeks of a cast and onehandedness to look forward to. been warned that my elbow will be very stiff and will take a while to regain full use. i'll go insane w/o biking, but plan to walk some.

anyone else done the same and can say when i might be biking again?

[redrhodie]

Oh no! That sounds very painful! Morphine?! Yikes.

I hope you get better really soon!

[Biciclista]

wow! not much hurts more than an OWbow. get well soon.

[Mr. Bloom]

Wow! I'm so sorry. At least you were doing something fun!

When I hurt myself, it's usually doing something esoteric - like tripping on a curb!

[Thorn]

My elbow aches in sympathy for you. Ouch....

I fracture/dislocated my elbow in a bike crash many years ago. There is a lot of muscle and tendon that gets irritated when the elbow dislocates.

Here's hoping your recovery is faster than mine. I was out for almost 6 weeks--got back onto the trainer to spin while sitting upright much sooner, but it took quite a while before I could bear weight. I spent a lot of time walking, but had to stop frequently, sit and elevate the arm to bring down the swelling.

A couple of thoughts....keep the fingers moving now to force circulation. Seems silly, but circulation brings healing and keeps the swelling down. When the cast comes off find an aggressive PT. I got lucky with a great PT group--lots of manipulation, exercises and ultrasound. The doctor told me I'd be lucky to get back minimal usage, but today I have full range of motion and very little residual aches. I credit that PT.

Good luck!

[Mr. Bloom]

Now, you'll have to post a pic of your casted elbow rather than Ninja lph - the blinky goddess

[Trekhawk]

Yikes!!
Sending wishes for a speedy recovery.:)

[maillotpois]

OW!!! Take care and heal! So sorry that happened.

[crazycanuck]

Owie Lph!!!

A friend of ours dislocated her elbow 2yrs ago & was off the bike for 6 weeks. Isn't that the average time all dr's give these days..6-8 weeks :rolleyes:

Take care of yourself! Remember, you might be able use a trainer but check this out with a professional first...:o

[OakLeaf]

Ow ow ow. Heal up quick.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

That's awful! I hope it heals faster than normal and that the pain fades rapidly.
Poor thing!

[Blueberry]

Yeoch! No idea how long to heal and be back on a bike - but I don't think I'd want to chance that one:(

Heal fast:)

[msincredible]

Ouch! Hope you heal up quickly.

[Tokie]

:eek:So sorry for your accident! When I rode with America by Bicycle 2 yrs ago there were 2 men on the ride who had both recovered from serious elbow injuries. They were riding very well (and all the way across the US in 49 days too!) You are much younger than they were when they were injured, and I'm willing to bet you will have a very good recovery. Be patient, and find yourself a great PT when it's time. The PT part is the best - it's hard, but it's like training - you can really positively take part in your recovery. Hoping that you are able to find some endorphin-producing activity in the meantime.... Wishing you a speedy recovery! Tokie

[Fredwina]

I would echo everyone else with finding a good PT when the cast comes off. It'll do you a world of good:)

[NbyNW]

Ouch! I hope your recovery and PT go well and without any complications. Maybe if you can find a PT who is also a cyclist they might be able to help you stay focused on getting back on your bike.

Depending on how quickly the healing goes, maybe a recumbent would be something to consider, too.

[Grog]

Oh, no!!! Please heal soon.

[lph]

you guys are the best, thank you for all the responses and sympathy. 6-8 weeks.... :( i was told cast could come off after 2 so in my boundless optimism i thought i'd be back to speed a coupla weeks after that. good i got a realism shot, then ;)

slept fine with no painkillers, the morphine was to get me up standing and into the ambulance. they thought i was a real wuss :D but honest, i almost blacked out. 2 1/2 hrs before they pronounced it non-broken and pulled it back toegther, and magic! all better. amazing.

will keep fingers moving, good tip!

[Selkie]

Sorry to hear about your mishap. On the bright side, it happened during the worst of the outdoor riding months, so by the time spring arrives, you'll be good to go. :)

I broke my elbow ice skating. The key to faster recovery is to move it as soon as you have the cast off. I was lucky enough that I didn't have to wear a cast, and even though it hurt like a bejaysus, I moved it. That way I maintained my range-of-motion and didn't need PT.

Heal quickly!!

[Pax]

Bummer lph!! Sorry you got hurt, hopefully you'll speed through the recovery process and be back on your bike in no time!

[Thorn]

the morphine was to get me up standing and into the ambulance. they thought i was a real wuss :D but honest, i almost blacked out.

Chuckle....as I sat on the side of the road with my dislocated elbow waiting for the police, I had this bizarre idea that I would just pop it back in. After all, little kids that disloate their radial heads often self-relocate by the time they get to the hospital.

Dumb. Dumb. Dumb. At least my paramedics were more sympathetic--after reading my blood pressure at 60/40, they didn't make me wait for the ambulance transported me themselves.

Yeah, the cast comes off early, but then your work begins and arm wrestling visits with the PT. You'll be back before you know it--those spring rides will taste even sweeter this year.

[bmccasland]

LPH - if there is a bright side, this is cycling off season, come spring time you'll be ready to be back on your bike. On the other hand, if your PT suggests take pain killers before your sessions, DO IT! Hope you feel better soon! The humerous is not funny. :p

[lph]

Chuckle....as I sat on the side of the road with my dislocated elbow waiting for the police, I had this bizarre idea that I would just pop it back in.

oh, i know just how you feel. after waiting for the ambulance guys for 20 min or so i was so bummed to hear they couldn't just shoot me full of morphine and pull the damn thing back right there. and i was thinking why the f didn't i just do it myself before they got here!! ;)

i was worried about ligaments and stuff stretching and swelling in the meantime.

but def a bright side - not my head, not my ankle, not my right arm. if i had to pick one it'd be my left arm :rolleyes: my hand looks like something out of addams family now though, yeuch.

[cosc]

LPH, I hope you heal quickly. I feel for you.
I broke my elbow crosscountry skiing at a time when I was nursing a baby.
Lot of pain until I got a cast about 24 hours later. The baby had to bed down on a high table for a while.

[lph]

woohoo! have now discovered that even though i can't bike, climb or swim for at least a month, i CAN:

- ride the stationary bike at work. boring, boring, boring, but i have company and can listen to the radio
- do situps, and stretch legs over my head like i usually do afterwards
- use the back trainer
- do light one-hand pulldowns and opposite lifts
- do squats

most anything that doesn't require two hands.

sounds trivial, but essential for my mental health, believe me. not only will i survive, i won't punch anyone in the meantime ;)

ps. 24 HOURS!!! :eek:

[crazycanuck]

Lph..I think you remember what I was like when i had my off & was dying to bike or something but couldn't.I too thought i'd go crazy! ..You will not go crazy..!!! Ok, perhaps a little but not totally crazy..

I know you have found out what you're able to do whilst your elbow's recovering BUT please be careful not to hurt anything else. Do what you can to not hurt anyone whilst off the bike.

Oh & it's totally ok to look at cyclists with sad puppy doggie eyes ;). (just don't start singing)

[Tokie]

CC, what song would you sing (that you are not supposed to) while looking at other cyclists, with sad puppy dog eyes? Tokie

[crazycanuck]

I'd probably sing "Princes of the Universe"/" Spread your wings"/ " Ramble On"/ Kids Wanna Rock...

[Tokie]

Thanks - I'll look into those songs for emergency backup singing songs! Tokie

[lph]

Thanks - I'll look into those songs for emergency backup singing songs! Tokie

hm, i was thinking more along the lines of a sorrowful face and "Motherless Child"...:D

[Duck on Wheels]

Ouch! I only just now found this thread and learned what it was that has you typing one-handed. Scary! My ds is a boulderer. I see these spiderman pictures of him hanging from the ceiling of a cave and wonder how he stays up there. Now I know boulderers don't always stay up. I shudder to think :eek:

And then that wood-chopping accident as well with the firewood that jumped up and attacked your eye (must have been the other way around, right? wood-chopping before dislocation? or do you chop wood one-handed?) Anyway -- double ouch! :eek: Would a coffee break next time I'm in Oslo help distract you from the pain? I'll be there for two meetings Jan 28. One in Wergelandsveien and one up in Nydalen.

[lph]

hi duck! yep, woodchopping was in "romjula", the remains of the bruise just nicely accents the cast ;)

i'm in no pain, thankfully, just mighty annoyed at the cast. drop me a note and we can see if we can meet up!

[lph]

woohoo again!

my one week check-up. supposed to have cast another week. the dr looked like a outdoors type - 50s, lean, short hair, slight tan - so I started telling how much of a pita the cast is when training (stat. bike + weights 1 hr a day), and all that sweat prob isn't doing it any good, and isn't it kind of crumbling up, and would there be any chance of taking it off early and putting something more flexible on, plus seriously big puppy-dog eyes...

and hey presto he asked the grumpy cast techy to make me a glassfiber cast cut open that i can take on and off at will :D could have HUGGED him.

but jeez - after 6 days in a cast my arm looked like a big yellow squash and i had mybe 45 deg range of movement :( some is prob. residual swelling inside the joint, rest is shortened tendons i guess. gentle stretching many times a day now.

just posting this in case someone else gets the same thing sometime, figured it might be handy to know. still no pain for which i am massively grateful.

oh, and was at a big 60th birthday party for mil last night, and had gallant gentlemen in their 60s practically tripping over themselves to help me do stuff :D wonderful, very chivalrous. gotta enjoy the perks! :p

[OakLeaf]

Yay for getting the cast off! Those things are evil. Now be careful with it y'hear?

[Fredwina]

{{{LPH}}}
I had the same issue with stifness and range of motion when my cast came FWTW.
That's what therapy is for!:)
Hang in there, it'll get better

[smilingcat]

Hi LPH,

I'm sorry for not chiming in earlier. I thought I had. Well it's good that you are in great shape to begin with. You are healing much faster than the average person.

Your doctor sounds like a really understanding man and getting you a removable cast. how cool is that!! now if you arm itches, you can take it off and scratch your arm, wash it so you can keep it clean.do gentle stretches by yourself for a better recovery.

I'm going to be a kid again. Lets see lets see with your arm before it all heals up. And like a little kid want to say YEWWW!!! J/K

listen to your body as you do the streches. I wish you a complete and a speedy recovery. you are too pretty and too young to be all banged up and bruised.

smilingcat

[lph]

Since you ask, dearie, and since I'm a shameless exhibitionist (note have regained use of capitals! :D), here ya go - one of the big yellow squash, not so impressive any more, and one of my purdy red glassfiber cast.

On a less positive note: when picking me up after the accident, my dh managed to back into another car in the parking lot in the heat of the moment. With my bike on the back... my old red dearly beloved Trek winter commuter. Took a look at her today just to see how much stuff needs doing, 'cos she was due for new brakes and cables anyway... and the crank arm and pedal touches the frame... :( I do believe the old lady's frame is shot.

Ah well. There is a time for all old bikes to die, I guess.

[lph]

(I'll be logging my recovery here every now and then, cos this is a slow process and I found it very encouraging to find somebody else's status reports on the same condition a few days ago. Someone else is bound to bust their elbow the same way sooner or later and search this up.)

3 weeks post-dislocation: I've been w/o a cast for over a week now, and am trying to use my arm as much as possible. Can type two-handed, pick up and carry small things, shower and soap myself w/o too much difficulty, open doors carefully, and woo-hoo, progress of the day - put my hair back in a scrunchy again! My ROM is maybe from 20-30 deg extension to maybe 95-100 flexion. Extension is easier to work on, I do gentle stretches several times a day and it's not painful, just like stretching any other stiff and shortened tendon, but flexing the arm is harder, the joint feels swollen and spongy and I don't want to push it. Activitywise I've been doing 30 min on a stationary bike plus some light weight-training every weekday for the past 3 weeks, and I can pretty much keep my hands on the bike all 30 min now so I'd like to try biking again next week. Dr's orders to NOT FALL, though.

Skiing! is so far the best. Not "real" skiing on groomed tracks, I can't pole properly with both arms and end up doing this weird lopsided thing. But slow backcountry skiing with mountain/light telemark skis like I did this weekend is just perfect. I can run but I hate it.

Maybe swimming soon. May end up swimming in circles, though :p

[Duck on Wheels]

Hi lph! Great to read you're on the mend! I still plan to try another coffee date one 'a these days, but so far I've wound up meeting one PhD student or another for supervision every time I have some hours between a meeting in Oslo and my flight home.

But back to being on the mend ... Swimming. Hmmm. Yeah, but I wouldn't count on it for a while. I looooove swimming, probably more than biking, though I don't get to do it as often. But when I was recovering from a broken ankle, was finally walking around pretty smoothly without a crutch or tape, and had a conference at a hotel with a heated pool ... sigh! :( Floating was fine, but already the first flutter kick was excruciatingly painful. The resistance of the water was worse than the impact and weight (even MY weight back then! :eek:) of walking. So it took a while more before I could swim. Hang in there, though! You'll be back in the pool eventually. It was only a few extra months between walking and swimming in my case. It was just such a disappointment since I'd expected the order to be the other way around.

[redrhodie]

Sorry to hear your beloved frame is trashed! Glad everything else is healing so well. What will you do for a new winter bike? You'll be back riding before Spring, right?

[lph]

I have a date with a large toolbox this week... to turn my summer mtb into a winter bike. It doesn't fit me as well but if I can reach the handlebars ok I'll give it a try. I'm going to the pool on Friday and have begged ds to join me, so I can play with him if I can't swim instead of flopping around like a one-armed penguin. :p

One-flippered.

[smilingcat]

Dear LPH,

You have such wonderful bright personality. I wish everyone else could be like you. Glad to see you smiling and showing off your injuries with smile.

Keep us posted on when you get back on your bike.

Take care,
Smilingcat

[lph]

Thank you!! That was so sweet of you :)

[Wahine]

Yay!! Sounds like you're getting better in leaps and bounds. Elbow dislocations are nasty but it sounds like you're doing great!!

[lph]

6 weeks post-dislocation. Climbed for the first time yesterday. Biked for the first time this morning. wheeeeee...... Endorphin buzz, anyone? :D :D :D

I LOVE it when my body does it's thing and repairs itself. Dang, it's a wonderful machine.

I'm officially done griping on this thread!

[OakLeaf]

Yay! So glad you're starting to get your elbow back! :)

[Thorn]

I'm officially done griping on this thread!

Well, then let's start the celebration!

Glad to hear things are looking better!