Wife broke left elbow and right wrist. Questions…

[450knotOffice]

Guys, my 59 year old wife tripped on a paver early last week while on a very brisk walk in a local park and broke her left elbow and right wrist (not to mention landing on her face and tweaking her nose so bad she bled like she’d been hit be Mike Tyson). She’s a tough woman and does not complain like most of us would. She’s stoic. I guess it’s the Scottish in her. Plus, she’s a retired nurse. Most nurses I’ve met are badass with regard to pain.

Anyway, today she went in for surgery (outpatient) on the elbow, and now she’s in a lot of pain, not unexpectedly. She’s taking Percocet every three hours, and is miserable.

Have any of you folks gone through this? And, if so, advice? Hints? Tips? Ideas on how long this level of pain may persist?

I’ve been calling off my trips at work so I can be with her 24/7, and she needs all the help from me I can give her. The simplest things in life become nearly impossible when both arms are out of commission.

[Scott Douglas]

Really sorry to hear this. I've never had a broken bone, just a saw cut sternum from a quad bypass operation, but that didn't hurt at all for some reason.
Wish I could help.
The only thing I'd be worried about is taking so much Percocet. Have you talked to her doctor about the amount of pain she's feeling?

[Noah930]

The first 3 days are generally the roughest. I know she's slender, but if 1 tablet of Percocet isn't strong enough, it's OK to take two at a time. Obviously, use your best judgement. If she's asleep, don't give her more. Percocet is pretty strong, but everyone's chemistry is different. Sometimes a different narcotic (Norco, Tylenol with Codeine, Tramadol) works better even if it's considered "weaker." Conversely, Dilaudid's a "bigger gun" on the hierarchy of oral narcotics. She could also take an NSAID like Ibuprofen simultaneously. Best of luck to her (and you too, Scott).

Also, the greatest concern with any elbow injury is permanent stiffness. So maybe not now, but within a week or so, generally we want to get elbows moving. It'll take 6 weeks for the bone to heal, but don't wait 6 weeks before starting therapy. Try to find an occupational hand therapist instead of a physical therapist, if possible. But a PT isn't necessarily the wrong way to go if you find a good one.

[450knotOffice]

Thank you! That is exactly the sort of info I’m looking for.

The specialist surgeon told us before the surgery that he’s going to get her on PT within about a week or so.

I feel so bad for her. She doesn’t complain and only hints at the pain I know she’s in.

[Jim Bremner]

Set timer for the pain med. Of it's to be 4 hours between pills keep it on time.

Ice and elevation of course

I've had four bone surgeries. Two on left elbow two on right wrist.

It's pretty painful

[Tobra]

Compression will also probably help, like a support stocking for your arm

The gel ice packs are nice, bags of peas or corn also good, molds around elbow, just don't eat it after a freeze/thaw cycles

[id10t]

Had a very minor crack/fracture when I fell off my lawn mower about 15 years ago. Chronic dull ache, I hated the percocet. Had same experience prior with my wisdom teeth, so I called up the doc and asked if I could trade in my percocets for some Toradol (non-narcotic anti-inflammatory). Worked much better for "bone ache pain"

[450knotOffice]

Thank you all for your words of support and advice.

She had a pretty good night of sleep and says she feels significantly better this morning than yesterday. Still in pain, but not at the level she felt yesterday.

Seeing what she's had to endure for the past ten days and going forward motivates me to NOT fall.

[herr_oberst]

She'll be needing rides. I'm helping a friend of mine who broke her right wrist with Rx appointments as I can. I'm one of four other people she calls on as needed including her boyfriend until she can drive, so keep this in the back of your mind. It takes a village.

[vash]

No idea on the injuries. I wish her a speedy recovery.

I would however order and have installed a Toto Washjet bidet toilet ASAP. Game changing when it come to the morning ablutions. I’m not joking. My coworker went in for extension leg work. He wouldn’t be able to bend it. He’s older. I suggested he get toilets. He called me praising my wisdom and foresight. Sucked he called while ON the can, but yea. Game changer

[rfuerst911sc]

I hope your wife's pain subsides and recovers quickly .

[Geneman]

have them switch her to Vicodin 7s or 10s just for a few days. the ones with NO tylenol added. they usually work better for acute pain than percs. then when manageable, and she's comfortable. switch to a cocktail off 4 Advil plus 3 XS Tylenol. taken together. every 6 hours. those two drugs are synergistic...work best together and are non-narcotic.

[Cdnone1]

I've had three knee surgeries, eight neck procedures and one surgery on the elbow. The elbow was by far the worse for pain and rehabbing. I don't like pain pills and generally try and get off them as soon as possible. I was on them the longest with the elbow. Getting back your range of motion (if applicable) is really important. As soon as they want you to start moving it get on it. I also found the first couple of rehab appointments to be very painful. To the point I was asking if they were sure I was healed enough and not damaging things again.
Good luck, the elbow is a ***** no matter how tough you are.
Steve

[Rusty Heap]

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I swear by them and the stay cold forever. Screw "frozen peas" in a package,

https://www.amazon.com/Techni-Ice-2ply-reusable-Packs/dp/B00C6BNBI4/ref=sr_1_18?crid=2JMD0QYK2L342&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9._3gA19gLcmbkCosFwOGPX06df86BLb2k2 pJd8mwkQGY-paaVU3M7JVNCcozRZhhWbWR1T9_8W8bHppjRYeT14QJbSNpLu_ Cgvf8sZst8zc3deRCEIg13Z8imyf-YADWIq6qvUzatiGdRGDjbfy7V79164ismy_SObXQhLDxFTK6g0 68GhIlBJFDXUiMi_V-roDtMdglukefQc7FdYFuU3KqMNztAgdR7hVDFVfKE7cXFYwKf5 JfmjufwBgZM1_gC4XlctviPEVyxloyORYghXl6UchJmtbCXJfX ihEqBtOw.vC6JcuYAgLblpXXf9YfMTsUyrHMAD1_v-K61FYghbjs&dib_tag=se&keywords=techni+ice+cooler&qid=1715271656&sprefix=techna+ice%2Caps%2C197&sr=8-18

[450knotOffice]

I wish this forum had a like button for these helpful posts. Thank you, guys.

[recycled sixtie]

Hey 450 sorry to hear about your wife. That seems like a really bad situation for both of you. Is there any chance you can get a relative or parttime nurse that could come to your place and give you a break? This way you could still go to work or get a break....

[Steve Carlton]

In 1980 I had an argument with a gas mower that I lost. Got a bottle of 50 percodans and only needed 3 of them. I was too scared to turn into Jerry Lewis, but fortunately a friend’s lowlife girlfriend stole the bottle out of my medicine cabinet at a BBQ party I had.

I hope Mrs 450 feels better soon and makes a good recovery. I admire her stoicism.

[gregpark]

Good idea on a bidet. I bought a Kohler bidet seat with lots of features that would make life more bearable for your wife. You can buy one that fits your existing toilet Heated seat, front and rear wash, blow dryer, infrared bowl sanitizer, etc. Push button panel or RC operated. Game changer. Hope she heals fast

[450knotOffice]

Originally Posted by gregpark

Good idea on a bidet. I bought a Kohler bidet seat with lots of features that would make life more bearable for your wife. You can buy one that fits your existing toilet Heated seat, front and rear wash, blow dryer, infrared bowl sanitizer, etc. Push button panel or RC operated. Game changer. Hope she heals fast

We are planning to buy one. Likely tomorrow.

[450knotOffice]

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

In 1980 I had an argument with a gas mower that I lost. Got a bottle of 50 percodans and only needed 3 of them. I was too scared to turn into Jerry Lewis, but fortunately a friend’s lowlife girlfriend stole the bottle out of my medicine cabinet at a BBQ party I had.

I hope Mrs 450 feels better soon and makes a good recovery. I admire her stoicism.

Lost an argument with a mower?! Oh man, that sounds like a horror movie.