The Back of the Medic

GREAT!

Fantastic!

Incredible!

Well, maybe not incredible, but great and fantastic. I saw my orthopedist today, had more x-rays of my elbow, and I found out that:

• The bone spur (called an osteophyte, by the way) is resorbing (going away).
• The contusion was significant. I saw the MRI myself today. It takes time for that to go away, especially in an area that isn’t known for a good blood supply.
• It will take another 6 weeks for this to completely heal. It IS, after all, a fracture!
• By being compliant and staying in the brace until he let me out last week, I really made it possible for my elbow to heal the fastest and the best. In fact, the MRI and most recent x-ray PROVE I was compliant. It was in not moving my elbow that it began to remove that fractured bone spur. The doctor was quite impressed that I didn’t “cheat”.

So, the upshot is, I am clear to work EMS now. I still have to build back muscle and strength, especially in the triceps muscle. My arm will continue to improve, and should be “normal” by the end of the next 6 weeks. My doctor was impressed with my mobility and that I didn’t jump off the table in pain this time. I did let him know that it is hard to sleep at times, and that it still seems “stiff” (remember, I am normally extremely flexible). That will improve. and go away. I need to encourage blood flow to my elbow (i.e. heat and massage), and use ice massage after exercise. I need to keep working my arm out, and can now start using weights (slowly increasing them). I want to get back on my bike, but I do need to follow what my doctor tells me and continue to be patient. Within a week or two, maybe.

Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive during this time for me. It really is nice to know how many people really care! And it is very much appreciated.