Fractured arm on Breast Cancer Surgery Side

Hi Dulcibella 

Not had it myself, but I do know someone who broke their arm. Not the best of luck is it?!

The most important thing is to let the surgical/ plaster team know that you are at risk of lymphedema, so that they ensure the plaster/splint isn't too tight and take that extra care with setting your arm/surgery.  The imobilisation of that arm is a bit of risk, so letting them know is very important.  Try to avoid wearing rings on that hand in case it swells a little - but keep it raised up more to avoid swelling.  You should hopefully be able to move your hand, so do this frequently and your shoulder - basically move whatever part of that arm you can. 

Someone else who may have had this scenario might be able to help further, but this is what she considered.

Kindest wishes, Lesley

Thank you so much. The nurse I spoke to this morning said if I didn't have lymphedema already it wasn't really an issue. Luckily I don't have to have surgery. Full cast to be fitted this Friday. Thank you for your advice re: mobility. I had one lymph node removed - no radiotherapy. Fingers crossed. Feeling a bit nervous. xx

Keep all other joints which are not in the cast as mobile as you can, in fact we should all do all the arm exercises for always, apparently! Plus follow all directions about elevation etc. you'll probably be given instructions. 

(I’m a retired OT) 

hugs xxx

And best wishes, was it a wrist fracture? 

Hugs xxx

Thanks Moomy, It's an uncomplicated distal radial fracture. Clean break, but aligned, so no surgery - thank goodness. Four weeks in full cast, different to my day when it used to be six weeks.(Retired nurse) Hugs xx

Ha! I had the very same but years ago and on the other side to my later mx. 
yes I too was surprised about the shorter length of time in a full cast, but then got issued with a removable wrist splint to wear when not working at gentle mobilisation. You first work on active gentle movements, then gradually increase; range of movement first followed by strength of movements, always! I  was lucky in that I had one appointment with a physio at the end to mobilise all those small wrist bone joints (useful to get a hand clinic appointment at that stage), and I’ve never had any follow on problems. Got told on my cast removal day that my wrist would be arthritic (so far, not) and I’d never get movement back without going to hand therapy (I have, of course!)  I told him I used to be a hand therapist years before (before I got married) which astonished him and he backed down! My decision to avoid hand clinic was that I’d need transport to get there but could walk to my local physio. 

Best wishes, you’ve got this!

hugs xxx

Hi Moomy, Thank you so much for your support. Really appreciate it. My biggest concern is that the breast cancer surgery would complicate the clinical picture. I will let you know how I get on. Hugs xx