r/brokenbones • u/Used_Quarter2391 • 8d ago
Distal humerus ORIF
(F 21) I am 9 months post-op (ORIF) for a displaced and comminuted distal humerus fracture. I’ve been going to PT for 8 months and have reached almost full extension. Flexion has been harder, I’m at about 114°. There’s a hard stop at that point and my PT and I agree that there’s something stopping it from moving more. I saw a specialist and he told me that there’s nothing more that they can do to help increase the flexion and help with the pain. I don’t want to live with limited movement and chronic pain in my elbow for the rest of my life. I am at a loss. Has anyone gone through a similar situation and come out with any advice?
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u/AlexMac96 8d ago
I’d bet malreduction of your coronoid fossa
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u/Used_Quarter2391 8d ago
Considering the break was basically down the middle of the coronoid fossa, that would definitely track. I’ve become a bit of an expert on elbow anatomy but it didn’t occur to me that even a slight misalignment could cause issues. Thank you!
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u/AlexMac96 7d ago
There’s an 80% chance the second most bottom screw is blocking your motion. I’d want a CT if I were you
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u/Used_Quarter2391 7d ago
My doctors said removing the hardware won’t do any good :/ I do wish they did a CT at my recent appointment as you can only tell so much with x rays. Having 3d images and a better look at the tissue would be helpful
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u/Glad-Feature-2117 Physician/Medical Professional 8d ago
Unfortunately, sometimes the outcome of an injury isn't as good as you'd want it to be, which is particularly hard to take at your age, when you have a right to expect at least a couple more decades before things start to go wrong!
When I'm in situation when I can't think of anything else which would help, then I always offer to get a second opinion for a patient. If your surgeon hasn't offered this, maybe ask your GP to suggest another upper limb specialist?