Elbow Fractures Update

I am now four months into recovery from a fall July 26 in which I broke both elbows. The left elbow being the more serious of the two and requiring surgery. Things have been going alright with the exception of wicked burning sensation and spasms between the left shoulder and elbow. My Physical Therapist says my shoulder is locked up. HE also said this is very common in women over the age of 50.

I am 61 years old. I am daily wondering how much else is going to happen in this recovery. Left fingers are still swollen, wrist is swollen, elbow itself hurts less and now between elbow and shoulder is giving me a crank. The doctor said the swelling in the fingers and wrist will last up to 18 months. He said it is a circulation thing. Ok. I can deal with that. My typing speed is down considerably and the delete key has become my most used key. (this will not bode well on a job search when I am cleared to return to work) I sit here with my arm burning wondering why doesn't the doctor forewarn one that this lockup might happen. If I had known I could have worked with the therapist to keep the shoulder more mobile all these weeks.

I wonder too if my fine motor skills with my fingers will return. I have trouble opening jars, grabbing things and holding on to them, (I drop things all the time) and again how my typing will go. This has been quite the life adventure for sure. Other than these parts not working right I often forget I am a geriatric of 61 years old.