 Poster: A snowHead
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Nasty fall at end of outilletes iteniary in Tignes last Saturday. Didn’t see a small from the end of ripen in flat light to track cutting across and landed badly. Smashed the ball of the humerus into 8 pieces. The good news having had scan and visit to specialist in uk was the bits are all in the right place so safer not to intervene. It’s fingers crossed it all starts healing or it would be replacement. Further scans and X-rays next week. Glad I came home as the insurers medical team were insisting on an op in France. Sadly no chance of skiing again this season Looking at 4-6 months recovery. Just hoping the breaks start to heal and blood supply not disrupted.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Very bad luck. Commiserations. Davidof also broke his humerus today - report on the thread about maps and electronics.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Did a similar thing in a similar place frighteningly about 20 years ago. Only broken into 4 bits. Originally misdiagnosed as a single fracture. Had to let it heal then basically had to have the ball shaved so it looked more like a ping pong ball than a walnut the following year. Had tendons reattached with screws. Some minor restrictions on movement, but didn’t affect skiing.
Good luck with recovery.
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| pam w wrote: |
| Very bad luck. Commiserations. Davidof also broke his humerus today - report on the thread about maps and electronics. |
Worse .it's his femur
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Ouch, that's not funny...  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humerus
Your consultant's team should have provided some details around the recovery process, but if not there are many NHS leaflets online from different trusts which give helpful but sometimes conflicting advice on such specialist areas. For an example, see https://www.chelwest.nhs.uk/your-visit/patient-leaflets/surgery-services/shoulder-injury-fractured-proximal-humerus
As with any injury, listen carefully to the instructions of the consultant and any physio you see, write them down if necessary, and then do the exercises exactly as instructed. No more, no less. You may think that adding an extra rep each time will help, but it could cause further damage and slow down your recovery, so ask whether the instructions to do 10 means exactly 10, or as many as you can up to 10, or 10 plus as many more as you can manage.
You're likely going to see a lot of muscle loss especially on that side. It will take at least a year to get most of that back unless you can exercise at a pro level and under close supervision. Good luck - there is a light at the end of the tunnel, but it could be a long way away.
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@dan100, I feel your pain. No doubt Frosty the Snowman who’s been through it too (but far worse) will be along soon to share his experience.
I broke the neck of my humerus (left arm- one plus as I’m right handed) on 3rd Dec, with undisplaced cracks in the ball. A rather embarrassing crash on a blue run in great snow, but at some speed! The piste patrol guys thought I’d disclocated my shoulder, the x ray said otherwise. The Dr in Val Thorens came up to me, said “you have fractured your humerus, you don’t need surgery” and that was it. The consultant in the U.K. took the same view provided it didn’t move (it didn’t). I’m 6 weeks in this Sunday.
I started rather helpless state- requiring someone to tie my shoelaces, help me dress/undress. I managed to take a bath each day which was a wonderful opportunity to relax a bit. I was able to work remotely from home, but couldn’t type with my left hand. My family are grateful that I still managed to make mince pies for Christmas!
Things have improved hugely as I write this. I did an A&E visit on the Wednesday after the accident which involved the radiology team seeing my x ray, but my not seeing a dr, just being informed I’d get a response by email from the virtual fracture clinic and a follow up in person appointment. I doubled up with a private appointment. The information from the fracture clinic with the exercise crib sheet seemed to conflict with the consultant’s advice in some ways. All looked good on x-rays by 21st Dec- he could see the signs of fluffy new bone growth. Consultant said I could stop wearing the French issue sling (aka the blue Velcro stab vest-marvellous in many ways, but perhaps rather too good at holding the upper arm in place) after week 4. Crib sheet said keep sling on day and night till week 6, save for the exercises. I felt utterly confused about whether I should move less or more in case I displaced the fracture and what the cause of any pain I experience might be.
Bottom line is this. We’ve been back in France since Boxing Day (have a place here) and I’m staying till 2nd Feb. I’m not skiing obviously. Taking walks with the dog. I do still wear a simple sling out walking etc..mainly so others can see I’m injured, and to stop me putting my arm out if I trip. I wear crampons on my walking shoes. If I’m somewhere where the walking is easily, I relax, let the sling off and swing my arm in a natural way. Around the house, my arm is free and has been since around NY day-week 4. I’ve started excellent physio in person in St Martin de Belleville-3 x week for €35 a session since 4th Jan (self funded). They really know what they are doing, and I’m being put through my paces. It’s not easy! Part of the improvement is undoubtedly the fracture healing. I can now tie shoe laces, scratch my nose, carry a cup of tea, apply eye makeup, hold down and chop vegetables, I’m slowly regaining a range of movement, though in one plane it’s particularly hard, and of course, the muscles are utterly wasted. I can’t lift my upper arm much above shoulder height yet and when I do currently it is propelled up there by which I call the “broomstick exercise”. I.e..hand holding the end of a pole and the good hand pushing it up there, or by walking my arm up the wall with my fingers. Self propelled I can get my straight arm from pointing straight down up to about 45 degrees in front and to the side. I think I’ve been lucky as the pain was manageable from the start. I have an ache in the tight muscles in my shoulders, which I’m told is a natural response to protecting my self. There are currently a
Finger crossed the progress with physio and natural healing will mean I can start to drive in the next couple of weeks (the car is an automatic which is helpful).
It has been reassuring to share my experience with fellow SH Frosty the Snowman. Do keep us posted as to progress. It can be a bit soul destroying at times. I’m still not sure whether I’m partly to blame for my limited movement as I didn’t do much in the first 3-4 weeks ( conflicting info, and save for the pendulum exercise from about week 2, it bloo*y hurt!). It’s not helped by the rather doom laden email from the fracture clinic which informed me that people tend not to regain full movement following this type of injury. I tell myself that this is for more elderly patients who fall over in the street. I struggle to accept that, even though I’m [ahem!] 58, I’m fit, healthy and not going to let this destroy my skiing ambitions.
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Ouch! Good luck with the recovery, I hope it heals as expected.
| dan100 wrote: |
| Glad I came home as the insurers medical team were insisting on an op in France. |
One question, what made you make this decision rather than taking the advice of the medical team in France?
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| Scarlet wrote: |
Ouch! Good luck with the recovery, I hope it heals as expected.
| dan100 wrote: |
| Glad I came home as the insurers medical team were insisting on an op in France. |
One question, what made you make this decision rather than taking the advice of the medical team in France? |
Number of reasons. The local medic in tignes didn’t recommend immediate surgery and simply said he recommended that I consult an orthopaedic specialist on my return. Im fortunate enough enough to have private medical insurance and the top upper limb specialist in my area was saying I can’t tell you need to do anything based on the x-ray pictures and we will need a CT scan to determine this. I was therefore not very happy when mayday assistance were indicating that I definitely needed surgery but couldn’t say what. I’m feeling very shambolic to be honest. It took three days until about two hours prior to my departure departure to make their recommendation just simply to turn up at Ball hospital with no plan on how to get me there and in fact suggested that I simply get jump in a taxi and get down there as the quickest solution, despite saying I shouldn’t travel home. There is no plan on accommodation, whether I’ll be seen immediately and I’m guidance as to when an operation might take place. I’ve been in the situation once before and on that occasion insurance assistance was brilliant – on this occasion, I felt it was utterly hopeless. That was the main reason.
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Thanks for message. Just taking it easy until next Thursday. Limited work at home. Depressing as I had a number of trips lined up. Very frustrating as it was no speed and simply arose from moss of balance because I didn’t make out a small lip due to flat light. I think I just have to be careful for next couple of weeks.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@dan100, fair enough, that does sound pretty shambolic. When I've had surgery in Austria, I've always been told exactly what was going to happen and been booked in for it there and then, though I get that things can change once you're in theatre as even a good scan is no match for a mark#1 eyeball. I also know that NHS decisions not to operate can bite you later, but if you have confidence in your specialist and they are monitoring you anyway, then it's reasonable to take their advice.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Yes, @holidayloverxx, davidof broke femur. Must not have been concentrating to have got that wrong. 
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| Scarlet wrote: |
| @dan100, fair enough, that does sound pretty shambolic. When I've had surgery in Austria, I've always been told exactly what was going to happen and been booked in for it there and then, though I get that things can change once you're in theatre as even a good scan is no match for a mark#1 eyeball. I also know that NHS decisions not to operate can bite you later, but if you have confidence in your specialist and they are monitoring you anyway, then it's reasonable to take their advice. |
Luckily I’ve got private health so it’s further X-rays and see the specialist in a week. If insurer said let’s get a scan and go there, this is where you will stay etc I would have been happy. Unfortunately by the time I spoke to someone sensible it was about 2 hours to go and even then the logistics couldn’t put what the medical team were recommending in to effect.
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You know it makes sense.
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I done same thing about 4 years ago, split the ball into 4 pieces, the French team wanted to do a straight replacement with artificial, luckily I have a op surgeon friend and after a call he said no & get home.
Back in U.K. I got it screwed together with 9 screws (still in place) & I have full movement now BUT do make sure you’re insurance pays for lots and lots of physio afterwards, that’s what got me the full movement.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Not the funny bone then?
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Poster: A snowHead
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@pam w, we seem to be dropping like flies this season  six months is a tough stretch.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Suspect you have a tough 6 months as well. Femur tough to break so obviously a freak accident. Mine felt a bit of a freak. Would have much preferred to fall on the powdery run than the track at the end that I fell on.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@davidof, really bad news of your femur break. So sorry.
@dan100, And your Humerous. I am sure that lots of physio as mentioned somewhere above will be absolutely crucial.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@dan100, I feel for you. Mr CvS did the same in late November in the UK falling on very slippy very steep pavements and therefore missed the Xmas New Year family ski trip to the USA! Our consultant first suggested a full shoulder replacement but we asked what if we do nothing? Following some very detailed scans and our own consultant discussing it with colleagues he agreed to wait and see on the basis the op could be done at a later date if needs be.
We got the good news just this week that the healing was going well. Mr CvS has been diligent with his exercise programme and will need to continue to work on strength and movement for weeks to come.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| CaravanSkier wrote: |
@dan100, I feel for you. Mr CvS did the same in late November in the UK falling on very slippy very steep pavements and therefore missed the Xmas New Year family ski trip to the USA! Our consultant first suggested a full shoulder replacement but we asked what if we do nothing? Following some very detailed scans and our own consultant discussing it with colleagues he agreed to wait and see on the basis the op could be done at a later date if needs be.
We got the good news just this week that the healing was going well. Mr CvS has been diligent with his exercise programme and will need to continue to work on strength and movement for weeks to come. |
Keeping fingers crossed.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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| dan100 wrote: |
| Scarlet wrote: |
Ouch! Good luck with the recovery, I hope it heals as expected.
| dan100 wrote: |
| Glad I came home as the insurers medical team were insisting on an op in France. |
One question, what made you make this decision rather than taking the advice of the medical team in France? |
Number of reasons. The local medic in tignes didn’t recommend immediate surgery and simply said he recommended that I consult an orthopaedic specialist on my return. Im fortunate enough enough to have private medical insurance and the top upper limb specialist in my area was saying I can’t tell you need to do anything based on the x-ray pictures and we will need a CT scan to determine this. I was therefore not very happy when mayday assistance were indicating that I definitely needed surgery but couldn’t say what. Mayday’s advice wasshambolic to be honest. It took three days until about two hours prior to my departure departure to make their recommendation just simply to turn up at Bourg hospital with no plan on how to get me there and in fact suggested that I simply get jump in a taxi and get down there as the quickest solution, despite saying I shouldn’t travel home. There wasno plan on accommodation, whether I could be seen and no guidance as to when an operation might take place. I’ve been in the situation once before and on that occasion insurance assistance was brilliant – on this occasion, I felt it was utterly hopeless. That was the main reason. |
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Day 12 X-ray and the positive news is all the bits of the shoulder are still where they are supposed to be so another x-ray in 4 weeks.
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[quote="dan100"]Day 12 X-ray and the positive news is all the bits of the shoulder are still where they are supposed to be so another x-ray and appt with consultant in 4 weeks. It doesn’t look like I will need an op for now. Another 9 days of shoulder inactivity and then pendulum exercises. A week later to start supported arm lift and then appointment and full on physio.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@dan100, It sounds like your progress and treatment is pretty much the same as my husbands. He has another (physio) assessment on Monday, but so far so good. Our consultant tells us there was some kind of international conference/meeting in somewhere Scandinavia (there was no focus on the where lol) just before Xmas (that his colleagues attended) where the idea of doing nothing was very much at the forefront of seeing how shoulder injuries (as opposed to arthritis issues) repair themselves, seemingly that may get the best long term result.
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@CaravanSkier, everything has to line up. If it doesn't you'll look right odd when it heals.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Frosty the Snowman, Yes. But! Everything looking a bit squiff? If that result is less painful and results in more movement than surgery? Shoulder surgery can work really well for joints compromised in specific areas by the aging process, but for a complicated fracture, compromising more than just one bone/area? I`m just listening to our consultant, his colleagues, and taking advice from various medical personnel within family and friendship groups. A major injury in this part of the body is never going to be without consequences.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@dan100, I did similar in 2020. French medics said I would need surgery in UK, British surgeon said no.
I missed 2021 because of lockdowns but skied ‘22 & ‘23 with no problems.
Do the rehab, it’s painful & you have my sympathy. Good luck!
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@dan100, sounds very much where I was at at the same stage. I started the full on physio here in France after 4 weeks. I’m getting to the end of week 6. Physio 3 x week and doing the exercises inbetween, I’d say things are still going well, though it’s a gradual process. I feel very buoyant after the physio session as they manage to loosen any stiffness in my shoulder , which can set in again even with doing exercises in between. The physio says that’s normal..partly down to a natural tendency to pull the arm into the side as protection. I can raise my arm out straight in front without assistance higher than last week, getting closer to horizontal (the muscle clicks on the way down, makes me feel a bit green!). There’s no sign of getting it any higher above my head than that unless I use something else to get it there. (Broomstick, other arm, stretches on the floor, the “spider” exercise to name at least 4 of the things I do in physio). I can feel the side rotational movement coming back gradually, though they say that’s something that comes later.
Other than as protection when I’m walking about here in the snow and slush, I’m out of the sling and to look at me day to day, most people wouldn’t know about the arm. I drove a couple of miles for the first time on Tuesday, though not up a winding mountain road! It probably helps that the car is an automatic. Yesterday I happily wrestled with stripping the upholstery and hundreds of tacks off two old dining chairs I’m going to redo.
I’m coming back to the U.K. on 2nd Feb and am trying to line up some physio to fit around work, which is a whole other issue. I know it’s not going to be a patch on what I’ve been able to get here.
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You know it makes sense.
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As reported earlier in this thread, I smashed the ball of my humerus 20 years ago. One of the things I got on the NHS at the time as the shoulder started to loosen was hydro-therapy at the local hospital (Northern General in Sheffield). It was a bit weird and painful to start with and I was advised to load up with painkillers before it started, but it really helped bring back movement and strength.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@CaravanSkier, I was lucky, apart from ripping a tendon of with a piece of bone, there was only the humeral head involved. It was in 4 pieces, but the big issue was the angle it had tilted to. No way would it have healed without fixation.
My son broke his clavicle badly. And that healed ok without surgery. He looks like an alien but the shoulder works fine
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Poster: A snowHead
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The reason the surgeon in Bury St Edmunds didn’t operate was that it was in roughly the right shape, she would add insult to injury by cutting through soft tissue & she would risk losing some of the chips. This meant conservative treatment was advised. Every case is different & I did get a 2nd opinion as the advice was so different to what the French medic said. The upshot was that after having to sleep sitting up for about 4 months, having to have a steroid injection to free up what became a frozen shoulder despite diligent rehab, my shoulder is in perfect working order with no ongoing pain. I write this because I know it’s easy to get depressed when you’re going through it & you’re munching Tramadol like Smarties but stay positive & good luck!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Frosty the Snowman wrote: |
@CaravanSkier, I was lucky, apart from ripping a tendon of with a piece of bone, there was only the humeral head involved. It was in 4 pieces, but the big issue was the angle it had tilted to. No way would it have healed without fixation.
My son broke his clavicle badly. And that healed ok without surgery. He looks like an alien but the shoulder works fine |
This arm also has a plate on clavicle from ski accident 13 years ago. That time i was skiing v fast and it was easier to comprehend.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| Gordyjh wrote: |
| The reason the surgeon in Bury St Edmunds didn’t operate was that it was in roughly the right shape, she would add insult to injury by cutting through soft tissue & she would risk losing some of the chips. This meant conservative treatment was advised. Every case is different & I did get a 2nd opinion as the advice was so different to what the French medic said. The upshot was that after having to sleep sitting up for about 4 months, having to have a steroid injection to free up what became a frozen shoulder despite diligent rehab, my shoulder is in perfect working order with no ongoing pain. I write this because I know it’s easy to get depressed when you’re going through it & you’re munching Tramadol like Smarties but stay positive & good luck! |
Very much the view of my consultant. Thanks for Best wishes - have been very lucky with pain and only took about 6 painkillers so that’s a positive. Managing to sleep prone as well. Was v frustrated with Mayday Asssistance telling me I needed surgery when they are not orthapedic surgeons. Glad I came home and ignored advice of the insurer. Frankly they were v poor and just didn’t deal with the matter diligently or in enough time.
Last edited by Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see? on Fri 19-01-24 16:07; edited 1 time in total
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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There will be good physios - though I suspect more likely to be expensive.
I’m coming back to the U.K. on 2nd Feb and am trying to line up some physio to fit around work, which is a whole other issue. I know it’s not going to be a patch on what I’ve been able to get here.[/quote]
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Result - managed to pull on polo top and jumper without help today.
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@dan100, well done!
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@dan100, impressive! I think Mr P was still threading clothes up my arm and over my head at that stage!
7 week anniversary of my injury today. Movement is improving after some additional manipulation by the physio on Friday. I can now raise my arm straight in front of me to about 60 degrees above horizontal, and to slightly above horizontal to the side.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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good luck everyone. it's 2 weeks since dislocating my shoulder with a fracture.
going to see a physiotherapist at the end of next week.
i need to get to the fracture clinic, but nhs waiting time is over 2 weeks for an appointment and my gp said i won't be prioritised.
it's hard not to feel down, when my accident happened 7 days into a 6 week once in a lifetime holiday.
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@Mrs NBT, 
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FAQ
The blood supply is a pretty rare issue. They were happy to leave me over 3 weeks before surgery. 8 Pieces is a lot 
Good luck.
