Broken bone

I broke my shoulder (well upper arm ball part)and I have a few questions as I'd never broken anything before. I'm also not in the US and am not sure what to expect.

How often do you get X-rays?

If you broke a shoulder, how long were you in a sling?

When you came out of the sling how was that decided?

I fell off my bike and after some pain, I decided something wasn't right. The next day I went to the ER and after a looooong day there, the Xray showed that it was broken. Not too horrible and I wouldn't need surgery. They put me, well more wrapped me up super tight, in a sling, told me it was extremely busy that day, and to come back the next morning and they would explain more. Sent me home with only Ibuprofen as they don't really believe in strong drugs for things like that here.

Went back the next morning, doctor was really nice, explained everything, and I was told to come back a week later for an X-ray at the hospital.

the X-ray the next week was fine, nothing moved, so that was good. I was told to keep wearing the sling all the time. They sent me home with a CD of my X-rays and a note for my GP.

Went to the GP today to get a referral for a Physical Therapist, or as Sickness Gymnasts as the direct translation from German , and I was told it's been over two weeks, and I don't have to wear the sling all the time during the day, but at night I must. Also sent me home with a swinging exercise to do.

No X-Rays were taken. How can a doctor say this without seeing an Xray?

Does this sound right? I'm not in too much pain anymore, it comes and goes, but I don't want to do more damage.

I'm looking for any experience you may have.

It's long and thanks for reading this if you made it this far.

Re: Broken bone

Bump. No one has had a broken bone?

Re: Broken bone

I'm not a doctor and I've never broken any bones in my life (knock on wood), but I do deal with lots of people with lots of different injuries at work.

Depending on the type of fracture you sustained and what bones you actually broke, they may be somewhat self healing (no surgery, etc.) Also, there are some breaks that you really can't do anything about, so wearing a sling for a few weeks may be all you need. Main question is, how do you feel? If you're still not feeling better, or something feels off, maybe you need further treatment, testing, etc. But if you're feeling ok and your range of motion is good (you can move your arm/shoulder as you did before), maybe you're good to go.

Also, have you started physical therapy yet? Maybe give that a try and see what they say. If you go to therapy and feel any major pain, I'd probably go right back to the doctor.

Good luck to you and I hope you feel better.

Re: Broken bone

I'm not a good person to answer. I'm currently walking on a fractured foot.

Re: Broken bone

I've broken a bone in my hand.

I went to the ER and they did an X-ray, manipulated the bone so it was in a better position (ouch!) and put me in a splint. A week later, I went to a hand doctor and got another X-Ray and was put in a cast. 5 weeks later, the cast was ready to come off, so he took another X-Ray, saw that it had healed fine, and gave me physical therapy exercises to do. I came back for a check-up 2 weeks later - no X-ray, but he had me do some finger wiggling and wrist turning to see how I'd healed.

Re: Broken bone

Depends on the kind of fracture, ie displaced or non displaced.

Displaced would need weeks of immobilization.

I wouldn't second guess them in an online forum

Re: Broken bone

Thanks everyone!

The pain has gotten better and I started PT this week. I just found it odd that I haven't had an Xray to see if everything is going ok.

I'll just see what happens. I just don't want surgery. If the pain isn't getting worse, it must be good news...

Re: Broken bone

Re: Broken bone

Meaning I wouldn't know whether or not they're right or wrong without knowing all the findings

Re: Broken bone

The bone is still in the same place, so that means non-displaced?

Thanks everyone! You've all put my mind a little at ease. I thought I would have had more X-Rays.