Has anyone ever had a broken shoulder?

[dorisdvu]

I fell on the ice yesterday and broke my right shoulder blade. The doctor just told me to wear my arm in a sling--come back in 3 weeks. Sleeping was very difficult. I try to keep my arm positioned where from my elbow to hand is across my chest. Sometimes it slips a little to the side. I plan to return to work as soon as I am able to drive.


Has anyone had a broken shoulder? Please share you experience.

I've never had a broken bone before so this is all new.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I feel your pain.

About 8 years ago I tore my rotator cuft in a cheerleading/gymnastics mis-hap ON MY BIRTHDAY (ugh). WOW, was that painful! I had to keep my arm in a sling -- the kind that also wraps around your waste so that you can't move anything. It eventually healed, but even now I get a lot of aching in it -- especially if I've been driving for a long time.

I also remember how uncomfortable it was to sleep, wash my hair (I had to get help with that), etc. It was my right shoulder and I am a righty, so it took a lot of adjustment.

I'm sorry you're going through this.

 

[luvmydogs]

I didn't break my shoulder, but my left collarbone while horsebackriding when I was eight. I remember A LOT of pain, and like you said, difficulty sleeping. You never realize how much you use that area of the body until you've lost your mobility there. After the initial pain subsided, I remember mostly soreness--mostly from the injury, but some from it being imobilized and stiff. I do hope you're feeling better soon!

 

[dorisdvu]

I'm a righty too. The sling that I was given just goes over my neck.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

How long do they think you'll have to wear it?

 

[dorisdvu]

The doctor said I would have to wear it until it healed--possibly 6-8 weeks. I have to back to see him in 3 weeks. I think then he is going to have me do some exercises then.

 

[Towncrier]

I broke my right shoulder and wrist in a motorcycle accident in college. I can't remember now how long I wore the sling, but I remember having to take notes left-handed for several weeks. The sling that I had kept any pressure off my shoulder by holding up my forearm as well as keeping it snug to my chest. Sleeping was not a problem because the sling kept my arm pretty well immobilized.

DD Sarah broke her collarbone when she was 2yo. She had a special figure 8 brace that held her shoulder in place while the bones knitted.

Hope you heal quickly.

 

[damo]

It causes a lot of wiping issues. DS is recovering from a jammed collarbone and sprained shoulder muscles. He said that personal hygiene was very painful.

 

[Alice28]

OUCH! I'm so sorry you hurt yourself. I haven't broken my shoulder, but I thought I did....I was swinging with my 3 year old son and everyone's worst nightmare happened.....as I was at the highest point of the swing (WAY UP), the freaking chain broke and I went a flying. Knocked the wind out of me and I thought I broke my shoulder. Turns out I just tore some muscles and threw my back way out of whack. We were at a park on the beach (can you say rusted out chain bolt from the salty air? We took pictures), and the dumb ambulance had to come.....I felt like such an idiot and yet I was so mad at the city for not taking better care of their park equipment! That could have killed someone! I had to do physical therapy for two months and many, MANY trips to the chiropractor. And the city didn't pay a dime of the bills. They sure called to make sure i wasn't going to sue though! I let my lawyer handle it, and nothing ever came of it....

But back to you------take care and as time goes on you WILL feel better. Good luck!

 

[dorisdvu]

Thanks guys for all the well wishes. I understand about the personal hygiene thing. Now I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to do with my hair! I usually curl it with a curling iron. How am I going to do that with one arm? Oh well I guess I'll figure something out.

 

[ahutton]

I had scope surgery following a car accident injury to my left shoulder. For sleeping I got a few very flat pillows and sort of braced myself in place. One pillow for your head. A second goes along your injured side snug to your ribs. A third goes on top of the second but a bit lower down to give your elbow extra support so your muscle isn't tensed. Then a thicker one or a couple stacked under your knees to help prevent you from trying to roll over in your sleep. Good luck on healing quickly!

 

[Mskanga]

I didn't break my shoulder but I dislocated my shoulder so bad that I tore cartilage ( sp ? ) badly. The doctor put the shoulder back in place but there was so much damage that he put me on a sling that I had to wear for six weeks. It was my right arm, I had an 18 month old at home at the time and changing diapers was not fun, my oldest ( 5 years old then ) had to help me , while I would hold up the babie's legs she would place the diaper under her. When dh came home, he was in charge. Forget about doing my hair, I couldn't even put it up on a ponytail. I had physical therapy after that but it never healed properly and now I have calcification in my shoulder that the doctor wants to take out with a needle, I said no way until absolutely necessary.
I never missed my arm so bad.
And sleeping was a nightmare for me, I sleep on my tummy, I couldn't do that.