krisco
06-22-2007, 05:52 PM
Hi
I fell on my outstretched arm two weeks ago today. I fell very hard and landed on my left hand. I initially thought I broke my wrist just by the pain and swelling that happened. I iced my wrist/hand initially and thought that would be the end of it as it seemed to ease the pain a bit. A couple hours later, I noticed that I was unable to straighten or bend my elbow all the way and my elbow was really swollen. I went to the ER and they x-rayed my arm but it showed no fracture. The ER dr was "highly suspicious" of a radial head fracture that just wasn't showing up yet on the x-ray. He told me to ice it, etc and if it was not better on Monday to call my pcp. I did just that and my pcp felt I needed another set of x-rays so he set up an appt with the orthopedist. I went the next day (about ten days ago) and he did not perform another set of x-rays. He did a variety of tests on my hand, arm etc. He told me to just ice it and take Motrin and if it was not better in three weeks to come back. I know it has only been ten days since my appt but it is not any better at all yet. If anything, it is more swollen and I still can't straighten it all the way not matter how hard I try. Also, when I turn my wrist in certain ways (turning it palm side up mainly) the pain shoots right up my arm. I also get intermittent pain (when I do too much I think) in the area of my hand right below my thumb. I have been icing it off and on etc. It is not that I can't do anything with that arm (Thank God because I am left-handed) but certain things like picking up anything too heavy or putting weight on my arm is extremely painful and sometimes impossible. Basically, my question is, is it normal that at two weeks post injury for my elbow to still be swollen and not have full movement in it? Do you think I should still have another set of x-rays in case there is some sort of slight fracture in there? I have an appt with the orthopedist for July 2nd and painwise I can wait that long but I am just hoping that I am not doing more damage to my arm in the meantime as I am still trying to use it all the time.....Any advice would be greatly appreciated...Thanks in advance for your response.l..sorry so long
I fell on my outstretched arm two weeks ago today. I fell very hard and landed on my left hand. I initially thought I broke my wrist just by the pain and swelling that happened. I iced my wrist/hand initially and thought that would be the end of it as it seemed to ease the pain a bit. A couple hours later, I noticed that I was unable to straighten or bend my elbow all the way and my elbow was really swollen. I went to the ER and they x-rayed my arm but it showed no fracture. The ER dr was "highly suspicious" of a radial head fracture that just wasn't showing up yet on the x-ray. He told me to ice it, etc and if it was not better on Monday to call my pcp. I did just that and my pcp felt I needed another set of x-rays so he set up an appt with the orthopedist. I went the next day (about ten days ago) and he did not perform another set of x-rays. He did a variety of tests on my hand, arm etc. He told me to just ice it and take Motrin and if it was not better in three weeks to come back. I know it has only been ten days since my appt but it is not any better at all yet. If anything, it is more swollen and I still can't straighten it all the way not matter how hard I try. Also, when I turn my wrist in certain ways (turning it palm side up mainly) the pain shoots right up my arm. I also get intermittent pain (when I do too much I think) in the area of my hand right below my thumb. I have been icing it off and on etc. It is not that I can't do anything with that arm (Thank God because I am left-handed) but certain things like picking up anything too heavy or putting weight on my arm is extremely painful and sometimes impossible. Basically, my question is, is it normal that at two weeks post injury for my elbow to still be swollen and not have full movement in it? Do you think I should still have another set of x-rays in case there is some sort of slight fracture in there? I have an appt with the orthopedist for July 2nd and painwise I can wait that long but I am just hoping that I am not doing more damage to my arm in the meantime as I am still trying to use it all the time.....Any advice would be greatly appreciated...Thanks in advance for your response.l..sorry so long