excruciating pain - radial head fx

[ouchquitit]

I launched over the handlebars of my bike about 10 hours ago, landed on outstretched arms, and at ER was xrayed and  diagnosed with radial head fracture left arm. Sprinted and in sling, have taken 2.5 norco in last 8 hours.

I am wondering if the pain I am feeling is normal. It is a bearable pain sitting still but if I make even the slightest movement with that arm it is excruciating, has made me scream out, worst pain ever. It feels like bumping the arm causes an expected pain (baseline 4, bumping 6, moving it 9-10), but if I were to try to slightly lift the arm, it would be so excruciating I could barely start the motion before feeling like I was being electrojackhammered.

6 months ago had a nerve conduction study following neck issue, I recall there was some cubital tunnel issue (not major, no followup) in this arm.

My arm can seem comfortably situated, I am having conversation, then I don't know what happens but the slightest movement and I am screaming, sweating, lightheaded. I have never broken a bone, and I have read this injury can be extremely painful, but I am wondering b/c it feels so extreme. Pain built in a pretty linear fashion over first 6 hours, seems level or maybe that's norco talking..

ER did not describe severity of fracture besides to say "probably won't need surgey." Will call ortho surgeon tuesday but that feels very far away right now. Afraid to sleep, moving to lie down scary due to pain.

oh, and both my sons and i are very bummed i cant throw a baseball, and i am wondering what would be a hopeful-case timeframe before I could do that. not worst case, just something to hold out hope for.

thank you!

[Michael L Gross, MD]

Sounds like youve got it under control. Good Luck!

[ouchquitit]

Simple fix: Went back to ER, Dr. drained a bunch of blood out of my joint that had built up. Shot out under pressure. Immediate improvement. Often the pressure just builds up again but seems fine in my case, pain has been totally manageable. Whew.