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? asked in HealthGeneral Health CareInjuries · 8 years ago

Arm still won't straighten out all the way?

I broke my radius and ulna about 2 1/2 years ago near my wrist. I had surgery where they installed a titanium plate on both bones, was put in a cast for 4 weeks, got out of it, and went to the beach the next week after the removal. Of course, AFTER bodyboarding and surfing for 4 hours I was skipping rocks, slipped and fell, rebraking both bones and bending the titanium plates (yeah that hurt a little). After getting surgery to have the plates removed I was then again put into a cast for 4 weeks. Both times the casts were full arm up to your upper bicep, and once I got the second one off the doc told me that some stiffness/pain is to be expected but it will eventually go away.

It has been 2 1/2 years, and I cannot bend my left arm straight unless I REALLY try to. If I stand normally, my right arm will hang loose at my side but my left will have the forearm about 1" in front of where it's supposed to be, mimicking the position it was in during the time of the cast no doubt. I am wondering if this is to be lived with, or if I should see a doctor and see what the heck's up with my arm. It would be great if this could be fixed because I am a swimmer, and streamlining is very hard to do correctly when one of your arms is slightly bent all the time.

I might add that when I try and straighten it out all the way, it feels almost the same as straightening the right arm out all the way, but it won't go much further. It feels like I think two bones straightened out as much as they can in the socket, but I'm not sure. ANY help would be greatly appreciated!

1 Answer

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  • Julia
    Lv 7
    8 years ago

    you confused me by your choice of words, you said you can't bend your arm straight! most peoples arms hand down straight and they bend them!

    you should see your Dr as there may be something they can do. you might need physio. it could be the tendons too tight and you can stretch them out. its worth asking because what is there to lose?

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