Fractured Humerus at 8 Weeks - When Run?

I guess a humerus fracture is no laughing matter. Couldn't resist. But on a serious note, very sorry to hear that. I slipped on black ice while running downhill on 2 different occasions. The first time I fractured my coccyx - took months before I could enjoy a good bowel movement again (now that's kinda humerus!). The other time, and this was the scary one, I sprained my Lisfrancs joint (midfoot) in my right foot - the foot kind of folded in half, and afterwards, swelled like a balloon. I was in a cam walker for about 6 weeks after that. I really dodged a bullet on that one, as if it were more severe, I could have been done from running for good.

So about the fracture healing and return to running, I don't see why you'd have to wait 4 freakin' months. It's not even a load-bearing bone, and unless it is a particularly slow healing part of the bone (some bones have areas that are poorly vascularized such that fractures in those areas heal more slowly), it should be completely healed by now. So that leads me to ask you 3 questions: 1. were you told this is a slow healing frature? 2. was the fracture into the shoulder joint? The symptoms you are describing sound like arthritis. 3. was there any additional structural damage?

Also, why couldn't you walk for 3 weeks after an arm fracture?

My fracture is a 3 part humeral proximal fracture - the ball of the bone that fits into the shoulder. The healing is not complete but is well on it's way, according to the doctor. There is no other structural damage I know of but my arm has what looks to be a muscle bulge where there shouldn't. It appears that my deltoid slid down where my tricep/bicep is, but medicine is complex so I don't actually know.

As far as walking, I meant walking distances like miles. The doctor didn't say I couldn't walk originally; it's just that I didn't ask as walking was very painful on my first visit and had no desire to walk.

That sounds like a bad one. Multi-segmented fractures often can take several weeks longer to heal. I'd make it very clear to the surgeon the specific details regarding the symptoms you are currently experiencing. Also make him aware of the distorted arm contours. Ask him if the shoulder joint could have sustained any permanent structural damage. If he isn't extremely attentive to your concerns, you should seek another opinion. Was an MRI performed?

I told the doctor, who is a surgeon, about my pain in the morning. He said it was very common to experience that type of pain and that it would get better. I didn't mention the specific distorted arm contours but I did ask about the way the shoulder looked in general He said that was normal and would eventually go back to normal.

I also asked if there could be any other issues from the injury and he said in cases like mine it's not common. Are you a doctor by any chance?

Yeah, but I specialize in foot, ankle and lower leg injuries exclusively, and I'm a podiatrist, so I had very limited exposure in my training to fractures of the upper extremity. I deal with fractures a lot, but again, different neck of the woods from what you're dealing with.

It sounds like you were treated non-surgically (is that right?), which hopefully means that there was very minimal displacement or misalignment of your fracture fragments. From his comments, it sounds like he's familiar with your fracture type and all's going as expected. I'm still curious as to whether some musculotendinous or ligamentous structures weren't torn away. Your orthopedist, if he's worth his salt, evaluated you for these possibilities and felt no further workup was necessary.

I guess it may be a little too early to have done so, but have you started any P.T.? If so, how's the strength and range of motion of that shoulder? Does it seem like you have severe weakness of your delts, tri's, bi's, etc.? Mild to moderate generalized weakness from disuse is to be expected, but if you can barely activate something, I'd be more concerned.

Something I try to do (insurance may thrwart us!) is get my patients on a bone healing stimulator (see "Exogen") if they've got a slower healing fracture-type ("almost healed" at 8 weeks is definitely slower healing than the typical fracture), or if fracture healing is going slower than expected. I also have them all take Vitamin D 2000 IU once a day.

About 20 years ago, at age 38, I also slipped on black ice, fell and fractured my humerus. Mine was a simple, single fracture just below the shoulder. No surgery was needed--the ER docs just yanked the broken ends of the bone back into alignment (most painful thing I've ever experienced in my life), then put me in a sling and brace and told me to keep it as motionless as possible for a few weeks. I didn't need to be told twice!

For the first week the only sleep I got was sitting up in a chair because it hurt too much to lie down. However, walking carefully wasn't bad. Within a week I was carefully pedaling a stationary bike, but it was about 5 weeks before I could tolerate the motion of jogging. I was running pretty normally after 2 months. It took the better part of a year to fully recover the use of my shoulder, but it did recover fully with no further treatment.

Yes, I was given just a sling for 6 weeks. One thing I thought strange is on my fist visit after the injury the orthopedist (who specializes in sports medicine) made the diagnosis based on x-rays and I guess notes from the emergency room? He did not even examine or see my shoulder. Only on the last visit did he extend my arm up and it went high without much discomfort. He said it looked good.

I started PT week 3 and now 5 weeks later my arm is able to do 120 degrees. At week 3 I could barely move my arm. The therapist says I should recover just fine. She didn't want me running at all until April!

Thank you for the information. I also have developed a profound respect for caring and competent nurses and doctors. I have never been seriously injured but I was really hurting bad, I was vulnerable to everything and without their care, and the care of others at best it would have been complete misery. Now I can run next week!

120 degrees of what? Shoulder flexion?

I am not sure. It's the angle they measured with my arm lifting directly in front of me and up.

This morning I woke up again to a very sore shoulder that radiates down my inner forearm to my hands. The doctor says this is normal but does anyone here think that could be wrong? It's been 8 weeks and the soreness is worse than at weeks 1 to 4! In fact today it's not goin away as fast as it has the last 4 weeks.

How did the healing go?

I have a fractured humerus, proximal fracture, shoulder area. X-rays and MRI's were done. The shoulder stuff (rotator cuff etc) is fine, just the fracture, non-displaced fracture.

My worry is that 2.5 weeks in, it's hurting worse the last two days. I've been using a sling, but sometimes take it off to stretch out the arm. Have done some short walks (2 miles). I don't know if I did something that made the fracture worse, or if this pain I'm feeling is normal part of healing process. You mentioned it hurt more several weeks in. Did your healing continue and finish OK?

Hi, well this is my first post and I guess I’m looking to see how your getting on now, If you have an update?

I myself had a major humerus fracture - fully displaced proximal, essentially the ball of my shoulder snapped off and my arm had twisted away in the opposite direction, clipped by a wing mirror at 40mph! With few shattered bits in there for good measure, I had surgery 8 weeks ago resulting in plate and 11 pins, without a doubt the worst pain I’ve ever experienced and I’ve broke a few things over the years!

A keen 10k runner and sprint tri participant I was seriously worried, I’m not the quickest but really find running to be a) great for my general health, having asthma & b) the best anti depressant out there!

Pleased to say, after stopping opiate based painkillers and feeling much better I had actually started to feel down & bored for the first time so, with the approval of my consultant, I managed my first run today, 5k albeit with 50/50 intervals, but still no pain or strange sensations. I did my physio routine when I got back home and immediately iced for approx 20mins to try and fend off any stiffness. I guess the morning will be the reality check!

Would love to hear from anyone else going through a similar injury & will post again when Ive made any, pardon the pun, big steps forward!

I fractured my prox humerus Sat. A 2-part fully displaced fracture . Week one: pain, purple, swelling, and sleeping in chair. .. Alignment improved after application of hanging arm cast to provide gravity traction. That was also a most painful experience, worse than the initial event. This cast does not cover the fracture so is not splinting the fracture but providing some degree of immobilization. Process of healing and rehab lies before me. I'm planning to do Boston #7 next spring but time will tell and after reading these posts will probably avoid all outside running for fear of ice this WI winter....

Hi Jimbo24, Just wondering how you've been getting on with your running? I was operated on a serious humeral fracture involving a displaced humerus and shattered humeral head (plate and 15 screws!) 7 weeks ago now, after a skiing fall. Healing is going brilliantly, I have really no pain, the arm just gets tired sometimes. I have a great physio. I've talked to him about returning to running and I don't think it will be long before I can try light jogging. Have walked almost every day from the day after the op. So how did you get on when you restarted your running? Any tips? All best, Elisabeth