Suggest treatment for a broken humerus
Patient: I have had four surgeries on a broken humerus, the head was snapped off the bone. First, a plate was put in to hold together, then removed because a screw broke and caught on plate. It was fused with cadaver bone. Three months later, it broke again from an auto accident. The third surgery put another plate back in and my own bone was used for hip, but prior to surgery a muscle test was done and at the time, I had lost over 30% of my muscle. Infection set in and after a month of iv antibiotics of Vancomiacin, the plate was put back in. This last surgery was done a week ago. There was always hardness, like a rock was in my arm, after the second surgery. I was wondering if it s possible that I have myopathies and if so, how do I know? Four of the five tests for infection were positive prior to the third surgery when the plate was put back in. Doctor: Dear Sir/MadamI have gone through your query and read your symptoms.In my opinion, yours is a tragedy story where some doctors feel only that only operation is the answer to fracture, had it been kept in cast, things would not have been that bad, but to be frank, its you also who has to be blamed, as you have had repeated insults to the bone. the hardness you talk of if its only in the limb where you were operated so many times could be due to fibrosis of repeated surgery and infection, but if this is throughout the body then other causes has to be sought out.I hope that answers your query. If you want any more clarification, contact me back.