I think you're being quite premature with this question. She has a major surgery ahead, and a lot will depend on how it is performed.
We wish her the best hope for a speedy recovery.
Member
Broken humeral head...
Hey Rip,
My middle-aged mother's humeral head was broken clean off her humerus, and fractured into pieces (the result of a bad fall). The E.R. doctors are saying it looks like she'll need to have it replaced, but we're waiting for word from an orthopedic specialist.
Do you have any experience with such accidents, and do you have any advice from a trainer's point of view? For example, the best option for someone who wants to retain some degree of athleticism? I ask here because she was starting to exercise, and was set to start weight training. Her goal is to be active and athletic someday, after A LOT of healing time.
Thanks.
TMPHBITEU
I think you're being quite premature with this question. She has a major surgery ahead, and a lot will depend on how it is performed.
We wish her the best hope for a speedy recovery.
Member
My question was about the surgery itself though. Based on your experiences training others, do you have any input on choices she might be given at the point of surgery (i.e. type of joint replacement)?
And thanks a lot for the kind words Rip, much appreciated.
Brazilian Car Jack
She will most definitely have it replaced, the blood supply to the humeral head is retrograde, meaning it comes from diaphysis side of the bone, and is probably cut off if the fracture was complete and the head was fractured into pieces. Now, I don't know anything else regarding prosthetics and athleticism since I'm just a student and I wish her best of luck.
TMPHBITEU
I don't know anything about this injury aside from what Carlos told you. She is osteopenic, it will be a replacement, and I have no experience with the outcome at all.
Member
How many shattered humeral head replacements do you suppose Rip performs in an average year? I wonder how much weight the orthopedic surgeon would give to the opinions of a strength coach on a matter such as this?Originally Posted by Bakalaosalao
"He's got an ironclad approach to teaching and the basic barbell lifts and programming for strength training, you say? Put him on a plane; I want him in the OR working the bone saw!"
Member
Thanks Carlos.
Member
The orthopedic surgeon's opinion is the most important in this case... no one is deying that. But he MAY let her choose her prosthetic joint, and ideally, she would like to be able to lift heavy weights with it (assuming that will ever be possible in her situation and the surgeon allows it). I was merely asking Rip if he's had experience with lifters who have successfully returned to training after shoulder replacement, and whether their choice of prosthetics seemed to influence their success. The point was to gather up information to ask the medical professional better questions when I take my mom to his office this week. I've contacted other surgeons online, and looked at testimonies from shoulder replacement patients (have come across surfers and runners, but no lifters... so I asked Rip).
Anyway, Rip answered my question already. But I'm glad you took the time out of your day to make light of a woman's shattered shoulder. I hope you get the same respect someday. Thanks, Ian.
Posting Permissions