Treatment

Question:

Dear TAI Experts: I need some insight into a nagging injury that occurred back in Nov. 2008. I flipped over the handlebars of my bicycle and cracked both my right wrist and elbow. The hospital put me in a cast that immobilized my wrist but it stopped short of my elbow. The doctor said my elbow needed to be able to move in order to heal properly. Throughout wearing the cast and after it was removed, I could never fully extend my arm. I expected some initial soreness and stiffness but after weeks, the stiffness never went away. The doctor never prescribed any physical therapy or anything. Fast forward two years and I still can’t straighten my arm completely.  At best, my forearm makes a 40 degree angle from horizontal. It’s like my elbow just hits a stop and will not extend any further. Whenever I apply weight and force my arm flat, it causes pain and discomfort. Even when my wife pushes down on my arm with all her might, it will not completely straighten and it never seems to make a difference. My arm just springs right back to the same position at 40 degrees. Is there anything I can do to regain my range of motion? I realize this is probably too little too late… Thanks for the help!  ... read more »

Question:

Dear TAI Experts: I fell and dislocated my right elbow. I am 67 and when I looked down where my arm should be, it was completely bent backwards, (when I looked over my shoulder, I could see my forearm and hand). I am trying to find out what kind of physical therapy moves I should be making and how many reps, etc. I am out of cast and part time out of my brace. I would like to do physical therapy at home. I still cannot drive because of range of motion, and I am fearful. ... read more »

Question

Dear TAI Experts: I fractured my radial head on March 7, 2009. I had 2 weeks in a sling, then began a month of physical therapy. It is July 4 and I still have inflammation, loss of extension, mild pain, and mild loss of use. What can I do? I was released by the dr. after an MRI showed it had healed but I still had inflammation. (That was in May). ... read more »

Question

Dear TAI Experts: I broke my elbow 2 weeks ago when I fell on it. I broke the bone that connects to the wrist and causes it to turn. The Dr. kept it in a half cast for a week and now I am to wear a sling for 6 weeks and work on moving my arm. I have been moving my arm and wearing the sling some. I can only turn my wrist straight up and my arm will straighten out only about half way and then it hurts very bad and numbness shoots down my arm. Is this normal and will my elbow eventually straighten out and my wrist turn? ... read more »

Question

Dear TAI Experts: I was playing basketball and banged my elbow on the concrete twelve days ago. I went to the hospital the next day to have x-rays. They thought I might have fractured my radial head so they gave me painkillers and a sling. I went back for a follow up a week later and they said it wasn't fractured. Although I am getting better range of motion daily, I cannot fully extend my arm yet. My question is if I should expect to have full range of motion again? ... read more »