Final appointment with Mr Shoulder today. I got actual applause. The last time someone clapped when I just moved a limb in an approximately normal fashion was probably when I was baby and learning to walk. Although in some ways I suppose this process has been similar to that - having to re-learn how to move and build up the strength to be able to use my arm properly again.
Generally he was thrilled with me, said I looked really well, and that I had done incredibly well. It was really great to hear, and to see him at this stage to close the whole episode off finally. He does not need to see me again. A bit sad in some ways - I guess you build up a dependent relationship on your consultant (if you get a good one, at least), and it's a wrench when they say they don't want to see you again!
He tested my ROM - that was the part that generated the applause. Then examined my arms and upper back and said the muscle was mostly back (I think it's more than mostly, actually, as I have been building muscle I didn't even have before the accident!). Apparently my hand is going to hurt in the cold from now on, so that's something to look forward to.
I asked about the movement behind my back, and he said that would be back by the end of summer, in a very definite tone. Ok then. It's all to do with the fact we generally live out in front and to the side of our bodies, so that movement comes back faster, whereas behind our backs we generally only do when doing up a bra, or scratching our backs, neither of which are happening that often. So that does make sense, and I guess if I keep attempting reverse plank and tricep dips, and pulling my arm up behind my back with a towel, it will be ok.
I have new exercises from the physio, including some Indian club work, and some dynamic plank twists that have left me in a lot of pain today! Good pain, muscle pain, but still, hard work.
In non-shoulder news, my left knee got worse last week, and I was limping by Wednesday. On Thursday I went to my local private GP and she referred me for a consultation and possibly MRI. The physio had another look as well, and concurred that I need to see a specialist. They also both said I must not run.
I found a knee consultant who is also a runner, and posts links to research that shows knees are not damaged by running. Seems to me that a lot of people in the medical profession are just anti-running without any real evidence except a gut feel that the impact must be bad. At least he won't do that - if he advises me to stop running it won't be because he thinks running is bad, it will be because he thinks running is bad for me specifically. I have an appointment with him on Thursday, but I'm not sure how long I will need to then wait for an MRI, and I'm out of the country next week (in Poland!).
Despite the advice from the GP and Physio, I went for a run on Sunday. My reasoning was that I'd already run since the fall and it was fine, and if it hurt, I would just stop and walk home. It didn't hurt. Or at least, not any more than it ever does. And a lot less than when I walk. Just did a slow 4km, and not only was it fine, but it remains fine since.
I'm interested to know what has been causing the ongoing knee pain, plus if there is any damage from the fall, so even though it's not as bad as last week I'm still going to keep the appointment and get a diagnosis. Also, Mr Shoulder agrees with the physio, that my pain threshold is not to be trusted, after the extreme pain from a proximal humerus fracture I don't pay much attention to anything less than that. I will find it quite amusing if I have been walking and running around on a fracture for weeks.
Generally he was thrilled with me, said I looked really well, and that I had done incredibly well. It was really great to hear, and to see him at this stage to close the whole episode off finally. He does not need to see me again. A bit sad in some ways - I guess you build up a dependent relationship on your consultant (if you get a good one, at least), and it's a wrench when they say they don't want to see you again!
He tested my ROM - that was the part that generated the applause. Then examined my arms and upper back and said the muscle was mostly back (I think it's more than mostly, actually, as I have been building muscle I didn't even have before the accident!). Apparently my hand is going to hurt in the cold from now on, so that's something to look forward to.
I asked about the movement behind my back, and he said that would be back by the end of summer, in a very definite tone. Ok then. It's all to do with the fact we generally live out in front and to the side of our bodies, so that movement comes back faster, whereas behind our backs we generally only do when doing up a bra, or scratching our backs, neither of which are happening that often. So that does make sense, and I guess if I keep attempting reverse plank and tricep dips, and pulling my arm up behind my back with a towel, it will be ok.
I have new exercises from the physio, including some Indian club work, and some dynamic plank twists that have left me in a lot of pain today! Good pain, muscle pain, but still, hard work.
In non-shoulder news, my left knee got worse last week, and I was limping by Wednesday. On Thursday I went to my local private GP and she referred me for a consultation and possibly MRI. The physio had another look as well, and concurred that I need to see a specialist. They also both said I must not run.
I found a knee consultant who is also a runner, and posts links to research that shows knees are not damaged by running. Seems to me that a lot of people in the medical profession are just anti-running without any real evidence except a gut feel that the impact must be bad. At least he won't do that - if he advises me to stop running it won't be because he thinks running is bad, it will be because he thinks running is bad for me specifically. I have an appointment with him on Thursday, but I'm not sure how long I will need to then wait for an MRI, and I'm out of the country next week (in Poland!).
Despite the advice from the GP and Physio, I went for a run on Sunday. My reasoning was that I'd already run since the fall and it was fine, and if it hurt, I would just stop and walk home. It didn't hurt. Or at least, not any more than it ever does. And a lot less than when I walk. Just did a slow 4km, and not only was it fine, but it remains fine since.
I'm interested to know what has been causing the ongoing knee pain, plus if there is any damage from the fall, so even though it's not as bad as last week I'm still going to keep the appointment and get a diagnosis. Also, Mr Shoulder agrees with the physio, that my pain threshold is not to be trusted, after the extreme pain from a proximal humerus fracture I don't pay much attention to anything less than that. I will find it quite amusing if I have been walking and running around on a fracture for weeks.
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