Broken elbow pregnant

[talkalot67]

I broke my elbow- olecranon fracture and I am seven weeks pregnant.  I did not want surgery.  The doctor splinted my arm straight.  He said it has to be kept straight for 6 weeks.  I talked to an occ. therapist who said if I don't have surgery and move the elbow I won't get the motion back in my elbow.  I don't know what to do.  The dr said it is not displaced when my arm is straight, and I could need lots of rehab, but it could be okay- while the o.t. said I won't get my motion back.  My ob said if you need surgery, get surgery.  Need advice- can it heal okay without surgery?

[dr_simran]

Hello Talkalot67 ,
You should go in for a second opinion.Surgery should be avoided as long as possible,as it may cause complications during pregnancy and may harm the baby.You should go in for conservative treatment as long as possible.
Best

[CRM0323]

hello, I read ur post and thought I would give my opinion... I think that you should get a second opinion but keep in mind also that if you have the surgery now you will also have time to heal before the baby arrives, if you wait you might have to have surgery down the road and then you wont be able to pick your baby up.. So listen to your OB doc. if you need the surgery get it, you dont want to have to go through that later..
i have a 6month old now and I think i just pulled a muscle in my shoulder, and its extremely hard to pick her up all day long..cant imagine losing motion forever.. good luck!  take care!

[usarmymedic1]

your ROM will be decreased by the amount of time it is going to be splinted but it can come back I am an Occupational therapist and I have worked in hands and UE rehab for 7 years and I have seen AROM return in most all my elbow fractures it will not be fun getting it back but can come back.