Sailing in 3 weeks, son fractured shoulder last night! Have questions!

[Hopefully]

Please don't "hang his arm out of the shower" until you see the Ortho. That lateral movement may well be contraindicated, depending on the type of shoulder injury

 

[cheribelle]

Please don't "hang his arm out of the shower" until you see the Ortho. That lateral movement may well be contraindicated, depending on the type of shoulder injury

Oh no, I wouldn't do that literally. As his mom, like it or not, I'm going to have to help him shower (baths might be easier).

 

[Hopefully]

Oh no, I wouldn't do that literally. As his mom, like it or not, I'm going to have to help him shower (baths might be easier).

I didn't mean to insult you at all. I just think limited motion until Monday is the safest plan.
My just 16 yo broke both arms in a bad car accident and was casted finger tips to arm pits on both arms. It was a trying time, but we made it.
Good Luck

 

[cheribelle]

I didn't mean to insult you at all. I just think limited motion until Monday is the safest plan.
My just 16 yo broke both arms in a bad car accident and was casted finger tips to arm pits on both arms. It was a trying time, but we made it.
Good Luck

Oh no insults taken!! I know you meant well . I hope your son is doing ok and I appreciate your advice!

 

[ldo]

make sure to get Dr.note on script or letterhead stating that he is cleared to cruise, attend youth clubs, etc. If he has obvious cast, it is good to have just in case. Likely not needed, but we got one for DD with dislocated elbow still in sling, just in case. Since you'll be at ortho anyway, might as well get it and put in the suitcase.
I might be concerned about soccer (even simulator/indoor) and any sports that have the risk of slipping and falling on shoulder.

 

[CamColt]

Oh how disappointing for you all. I'm sorry you are going through this. My DS broke his collar bone earlier this year, on a Friday night, so I know just how tough this weekend is for you as you wait to get some answers. Hang in there! On a positive note, I want to say by 3 weeks into it, the pain had lessened quite a bit from the initial injury so by the time you sail, even if he has some limitations he should still be able to enjoy himself and not be miserable.

As others have said be sure to ask the doctor about specific activities he may be interested in doing. You may also want to see about another visit to the doctor before you travel to get an update and see how things are going. Best of luck to you and I hope he heals quickly and as painlessly as possible!

 

[SoozCruise]

I'm so sorry about your son's accident, thank God it wasn't worse.

I have a broken foot right now and I am using a leg cast cover that I purchased on Amazon, its amazing covers nice and tight and I can even submerge it in the tub. I'm sure you will find one to fit him properly. I read about waterproof casts and how long they actually take to dry out, this was a way better option.

Both my girls had the waterproof casts and haaaaated the way they felt when wet, so we ended up using plastic bags in the shower anyway. I'm still glad we paid the extra because we didn't have to worry about the odd rainstorm or splash when washing hands.

Good luck with everything (especially keeping him from doing too much too soon! Been there, done that) and I hope you have an awesome cruise.

 

[bumbershoot]

Oh no, I wouldn't do that literally. As his mom, like it or not, I'm going to have to help him shower (baths might be easier).

Honestly I wouldn't bother with bathing since it's just Monday. My 12 year old strongly objected to me helping except for one shampoo that I basically had to do blind. He did not want my help!

The permanent cast might be different from the temp one they put on.

The blue vacuum pump waterproof cover (bought from Amazon) worked beautifully for ds. The clear one we bought first at Walgreens looked better but worked by squeezing tightly, so even during a shower his arm was going numb.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Just a thought, if Mom has to 'bathe' her 12 year old... have him wear his bathing suit bottoms. Do the bath and if he still needs a little extra washing "down there", he could probably manage that much in private afterwards.

 

[xavier2001]

If he ends up in a sling and swath (which is the typical brace for shoulder fractures), ask them doc for a second one, then you will have a fresh one to change into if one gets dirty/sweaty on the beach. From this therapist, shoulder fractures rarely have a typical cast, generally if no surgery a special sling for 4-8 weeks, one you can remove for showering and changing clothes.

 

[Tink1010]

I'm sorry to hear this! My son broke his arm and was in a cast for our cruise. Because of the way it was set, we didn't know if we were going to go on the cruise as there was a chance he may have surgery. Luckily he didn't and we decided to cruise and he had a great time. You will find there are many people traveling with injuries. We were able to get a water proof cast so he was able to swim in the pool and for the beach we just kept it covered to prevent sand from getting in but I'm sure you could find something on line.

There are so many activities to keep him busy. Good luck!

 

[Steelers0854]

The cast starts at his fingers and goes right to his shoulder. It should work to keep his cast dry when he is maybe waist deep in the beach. I guess he will limit just how wet he gets. Hard to resist going in the water at Grand Cayman. We love it there!

I have never heard of a full arm cast for a broken shoulder? Usually it's an immobilization sling.

 

[cheribelle]

I have never heard of a full arm cast for a broken shoulder? Usually it's an immobilization sling.

I have never heard of a full arm cast for a broken shoulder? Usually it's an immobilization sling.

Meant soft cast. But it's a full arm right now. Seeing another dr tomorrow, so maybe things will change

 

[jdb in AZ]

Meant soft cast. But it's a full arm right now. Seeing another dr tomorrow, so maybe things will change

Since you have everyone on the DIS boards concerned, please let us know what the doctor says tomorrow.

 

[cheribelle]

If he ends up in a sling and swath (which is the typical brace for shoulder fractures), ask them doc for a second one, then you will have a fresh one to change into if one gets dirty/sweaty on the beach. From this therapist, shoulder fractures rarely have a typical cast, generally if no surgery a special sling for 4-8 weeks, one you can remove for showering and changing clothes.

Since you have everyone on the DIS boards concerned, please let us know what the doctor says tomorrow.

Thank you all for the well wishes. Back from orthopedist and the above poster was totally right. They removed the soft cast and now he's in a removeable brace thing. Doc says at least 6 weeks recovery but pools and beach are good to go!
Baths are fine and he's wearing his bathing suit so I can wash his hair. Thanks to the posters for that advice too.

I am so much more relieved that he will still have a good time. He's grumpy and uncomfortable now but I have a feeling he will perk up once we start this trip

Thanks again!

 

[xavier2001]

Thank you all for the well wishes. Back from orthopedist and the above poster was totally right. They removed the soft cast and now he's in a removeable brace thing. Doc says at least 6 weeks recovery but pools and beach are good to go!
Baths are fine and he's wearing his bathing suit so I can wash his hair. Thanks to the posters for that advice too.

I am so much more relieved that he will still have a good time. He's grumpy and uncomfortable now but I have a feeling he will perk up once we start this trip

Thanks again!

Happy to Help, have a great trip!! Kids bounce back pretty fast, that's the good thing!

 

[Laundress]

Thank you for the update. Sounds like it will be a good trip after all