Broken Arm Question... - Burns & Injuries Message Board

Kapowski · 12-01-2004, 02:12 PM

I broke my arm a few years ago and surgery was required. They put 2 plates and 12 screws in the bones to keep them straight to allow for better healing. ( I broke both bones in my forearm pretty badly) Now whenever the weather changes or sometimes even randomly it hurts pretty badly. It's like an ache, and sometimes its shooting pain from my elbow to my middle finger. Does anyone know why this happens? Or has anyone else had a similar experience with pain after healing of a broken bone? Any help or comments would be greatly appreciated!

sk11 · 12-01-2004, 06:21 PM

I think it is because you have metal plate which will get cold in cold weather. The metal plate is incontact with lots of soft tissues and I am sure touching against some nerve fibers as well. I am sure docotr will remove it after awhile. hope this helps.

Nixona · 02-23-2005, 04:18 PM

I'm in the same boat. Same plates, same screws, probably similar breaks. It just happens. Hot compresses and some Ibuprofen generally help, and it usually only lasts for a day or two. I've had MRI's, Xrays, nerve tests, UV therapy, you name it. Nobody really has a reason as to why it happens, but they are sure it doesn't cause any long term problems. sk11 is probably right, the muscles over the plates rub just right and nerves get irritated.

You probably won't want to get them removed though. This is an elective surgery, and I've read there is a HIGH rate of refracture. Just remember, you are going to have 12 screw holes in your bones right there, it will never be stronger than it is right now.

charlodius · 03-11-2005, 07:28 AM

This is more of a response to the last entry-

Some people report tenderness at healed fracture sites following weather changes, while others do not. This is regardless of whether hardware was placed on the bones, or they were allowed to heal only in a sling or cast. The previously mentioned managment suggestions are all good for dealing with the discomfort. Once a fracture site is fully united (healed) it is generally no more prone to re-fracture than the rest of your bones. When hardware is removed, you are temporarily at risk for refracture at the sites where the screws were removed, as these are holes in your bones that need to fill in with new bone. Because this surgery is elective, and whenever you have a surgery there is some risk of getting worse, I personally would not consider hardware removal unless it is an agonizing, frequent problem.

artbuggy3 · 04-23-2005, 12:07 PM

i broke my arm almost five years ago and i still get really bad pains. I broke it pretty badly....i needed 3 different casts but not bad enough to need screws or anything...i wonder what makes it happen though....i have always wondered....