k2bdeutmeyer Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 So, I slipped & fell this morning (about 3hr ago). I was wearing slippery shoes and running to get to the fedex guy before he left (at DD's gymnastics - I used to work there). I slipped on the polished concrete. I fell so fast & hard that I didn't even realize I was slipping until I was already on the ground. I took 95% of the fall on my left hand. I landed on my hip too, but softly & it's not sore, so I'm sure it was mostly my hand. I immediately got up & finished heading to catch the Fedex guy who needed a signature hoping nobody saw & trying to pretend like nothing happened. I reached for the signature machine & realized my hand/arm was too weak. I couldn't grab it. I went & sat down to assess myself in private & that's when the pain kicked in. I had very intense pain in my left forearm about midway between my wrist and my elbow on the thumb side (if I turned my thumb to the ceiling the place where the pain is would also be pointed toward the ceiling). About 5 min later I started shaking uncontrollably. I was FREEZING. I put my coat on and again tried to pretend like I was okay. I slowly started realizing my wrist right by my thumb hurt too, but it seemed to be related to the pain in my forearm. They were both very sharp, shooting pains. I got my kids loaded up into the car and got them home. It hurts (achy type with periodic moments of shooting pains) all the time, but is tolerable and rather mild if I keep my arm wrapped in front of my stomach. If I let it dangle at my side the pain is almost unbearable - sharp and shooting. Same thing if I turn my hand/wrist in certain ways. I can move my wrist/hand up and down, and side to side, but rotating in a circle HURTS. There is no visible swelling or bruising. Any time I've ever gone in for something like this, it has never been broken. I've never had a broken bone in my life. So....just a sprain, or something worse? What sayeth Dr. Hive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PiCO Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 I vote break, due to the nature of your fall and the nature of the pain. Try running a finger along your radius (bone that goes from your wrist on the thumb side to your elbow on the outside. Breaks usually have point tenderness where you broke it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom-ninja. Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 I have learned that bones may be broken even when you think they aren't. Go get an x-ray. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudoMom Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 Another vote for break. What you're describing sounds much like the pain my ds10 described when he broke his forearm this year. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan in KY Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 Broken. I'd be very surprised if not! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k2bdeutmeyer Posted December 14, 2010 Author Share Posted December 14, 2010 Thanks!! Though I must admit......you're scaring me a bit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzanne in ABQ Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 I agree with the others' assessments. Sounds like a break. Sprains occur in joints, not halfway up your arm. The shaking was shock, due to the trauma. Get someone to take you to the ER for an x-ray. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beachpotato Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 When I did that, I both sprained my wrist and fractured my arm. :blink: :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k2bdeutmeyer Posted December 14, 2010 Author Share Posted December 14, 2010 I don't think I would be doubting except every time I think I might have done something serious & go in, they never find anything. This pain is different than anything I've ever felt though. Sigh. I'll probably end up going in when DH gets home from work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BMW Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 I'd suggest lots of ice... if you can keep the swelling down, they will be able to treat it better if it is broken. My experience has been if it's swollen, the put a temporary cast on, then make me go back in a few days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dayle in Guatemala Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 Go in and get an x-ray. I'm thinking broken as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k2bdeutmeyer Posted December 14, 2010 Author Share Posted December 14, 2010 Alright...I just got up to go to the bathroom & the pain is just as intense if I move my arm at all - in the same spot. Still no swelling or bruising. So, I think I'm going to go in when DH gets home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer in MI Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 Aww. I'm sorry. I vote break too. My ds broke his arm sledding last year - same kind of fall, same kind of pain. They put him in a temporary cast to allow the swelling to come down. Then, they fitted him with a second cast a few days later. :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: It'll be okay! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alenee Posted December 15, 2010 Share Posted December 15, 2010 The way you described the pain and then the cold feeling shortly after, I'd definitely say break. I broke my foot once and had the same reaction to a tee. Even the pain description and the times where the pain is more tolerable... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k2bdeutmeyer Posted December 15, 2010 Author Share Posted December 15, 2010 Well.....I broke my scaphoid bone. Pretty sure anyway. The x-ray was actually inconclusive, but they definitely saw something there on my x-ray & this bone (when broken) does not show up on x-ray right away. It shows up later in the healing process. So, I have a bulky ER cast & when I follow up with ortho they will put a smaller cast on for 5-6 weeks. Thank you for all your advice!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan in KY Posted December 15, 2010 Share Posted December 15, 2010 Well.....I broke my scaphoid bone. Pretty sure anyway. The x-ray was actually inconclusive, but they definitely saw something there on my x-ray & this bone (when broken) does not show up on x-ray right away. It shows up later in the healing process. So, I have a bulky ER cast & when I follow up with ortho they will put a smaller cast on for 5-6 weeks. Thank you for all your advice!! Sorry to hear it, but glad you got treatment. I checked out which bone this is on Wikipedia, and it sounds like a lot of trouble from such a little player: The scaphoid bone is one of the carpal bones of the wrist. It is situated between the hand and forearm on the thumb-side of the wrist (also called the lateral or radial side). The scaphoid bone is the largest bone of the proximal row of wrist bones, its long axis being from above downward, lateralward, and forward. It is approximately the size and shape of a medium sized cashew. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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