Broken Scapula, Ribs and ?? Advice?

[Tatonka]

I crashed in Baja about a week ago and have finally gotten complete x-rays and a diagnosis. Left side, 4 broken ribs and fractured the scapula (not up into the shoulder cup area thankfully). The breast plate and clavicle is either sprained or displaced and will be reassessed in about 4 weeks. The Doctors (at Kaiser) are still unable to tell whether there is any other soft tissue damage due to the swelling and limited range of motion caused by the scapula damage.

Any advice on healing this damage and recovering with the best possible outcome? I've had broken ribs and separated shoulders before but the scapula thing is all new to me. Right now I am short of breath due to the limited lung capacity (pain and swelling) but this should be short term.

ps. I hate Vicodin!

[Tatonka]

I'm really concerned about having to wait 4 more weeks to see the Docs at Kaiser again. The pain from the scapula has gone down (the ribs still talk to me all the time) and a lot of the swelling is reduced. I can now feel a sharp ridge across the top of the shoulder and it certainly looks messed up (down and back). I've separated both shoulders before and this is different. Still have the protuding bump in the front breast plate also.

Under the Kaiser system (which I'm new to) does anyone have any advice on how to get them to be more pro-active in looking at the other possible damage and remedies? Do I really have to wait until the scapula fracture has healed up to find out if I need surgery for a possible torn rotator cuff, displaced clavice or any other issues?

Thanks!

[drmark]

post a pic of youself with your shirt off. This way I can look a the alignment of the collarbones.

[oldquadridr]

Thats a new one for me..have never had the upper body injuries.....as far as Kaiser goes...I had experiences with them out in Ca..there are some really good Docs there...but you have to search the system for them

[Tatonka]

drmark - will do ASAP.

Dave - when we got back to San Diego from baja I went in to a Kaiser Intermediate Care facility and had my first x-rays taken. They wanted me to go by ambulance to their Hospital (which I refused, even had to put it in writing). Strangely, Kaiser CA doesn't share with Kaiser CO.

[fastlearner]

post a pic of youself with your shirt off. This way I can look a the alignment of the collarbones.

Bruce, please note that he only asked for you to take your SHIRT off. This is a family site! :lmao

Feel free to add black "censored" bars where advisable. :)

[Tatonka]

Warning - these may not be in good taste!

http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp220/tatonkabv/BV%20Bruises/2010_04070003.jpg?t=1270694696

http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp220/tatonkabv/BV%20Bruises/2010_04070004.jpg?t=1270694748

http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp220/tatonkabv/BV%20Bruises/2010_04070005.jpg?t=1270694793

http://i413.photobucket.com/albums/pp220/tatonkabv/BV%20Bruises/2010_04070007.jpg?t=1270694838

There's more bruising elsewhere and my neck is definitely sore. These pics don't really show the lump on the left breast plate too well.

[Gatlin5]

Dang Bruce, :yikes looks like you are in need of an alignment or maybe a complete overhaul. I feel for you.

Hope you start to feel better soon.

[Tatonka]

DrMark said I don't look to out of alignment and should start exercising the shoulder. :)

I think I'll use one of these pics as my X-mas card this year...:yikes

[Tatonka]

Good stuff here:

http://www.sandersclinic.net/

[Tatonka]

Had a follow up visit with the Ortho Unit at Kaiser here in Denver yesterday. The good news is NO surgery recommended at this point. While they don't exactly say much other than "let's see you for some more x_rays in about a month" it appears the bones are on the mend. Most of the swelling has gone done with the exception of the left breast plate/clavicle joint. The bruising is mostly a dull yellow right now.

[fastlearner]

Good news, Bruce.