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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Arm Function Loss After A Fall Injury?

So my mother fell down two flights of stairs at the post office just over 2 weeks ago. She went to the DR. immediately and got an xray nothing is broken but she has since lost the functionality of her arm. it doesn t hurt all the time but just when she tries to use it. I am worried about her she has her arm in a sling and has been resting it. She has no insurance and I told her to alternate ice and heat on it for 10 minutes out of every hour. Is there anything else she can do?
Mon, 30 Jun 2014
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
A problem which needs attention from the physiotherapist !!
perhaps your mother is about 50 +, and as she fell the whole body weight must have been taken by the shoulder. In such injuries the damage is due to injury to the muscles and nerves. So the movements become painful and restricted. So, at this time a consultation with a ortho / phsio would be helpful, as a diagnosis is essential.
You are doing well with rest and heat to the part. But gentle exercises must be started such as taking the arm out, small circular movements with the arm hanging in front of the body, taking the hand to the back of the neck, You will agree that these are best demonstrated and taken up in a gradual manner.
To help in local repair you may use Diclofenac cream massage, three times a day after local fomentation. The cream used should be upto the middle crease of your index finger.
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What Causes Arm Function Loss After A Fall Injury?

A problem which needs attention from the physiotherapist !! perhaps your mother is about 50 +, and as she fell the whole body weight must have been taken by the shoulder. In such injuries the damage is due to injury to the muscles and nerves. So the movements become painful and restricted. So, at this time a consultation with a ortho / phsio would be helpful, as a diagnosis is essential. You are doing well with rest and heat to the part. But gentle exercises must be started such as taking the arm out, small circular movements with the arm hanging in front of the body, taking the hand to the back of the neck, You will agree that these are best demonstrated and taken up in a gradual manner. To help in local repair you may use Diclofenac cream massage, three times a day after local fomentation. The cream used should be upto the middle crease of your index finger.