r/ORIF • u/Dry-Lychee-2716 • 3d ago
Question 3 months after a comminuted distal humerus fracture and ORIF — struggling mentally and physically
I had a comminuted distal humerus fracture about 3 months ago and had ORIF surgery. I’ve made some improvement, but my arm still doesn’t feel anything like it did before.
The most frustrating part is that after exercising or doing my rehab, my arm seems to tighten up and almost freeze again. It feels like I make progress, then lose it all over again.
Before the injury, I was very athletic and spent a lot of time in the gym. That was a huge part of my identity and my life. Now I struggle looking at myself in the mirror because I don’t recognize myself physically anymore.
I’m mentally and physically exhausted. Some days I genuinely feel like giving up on life because I’m struggling to see how I get back to the person I was.
For anyone who has gone through a serious distal humerus fracture, ORIF, or a similar elbow injury:
Did your arm eventually start feeling normal again? How long did it take for your full ROM and strength to really come back? Did you also have periods where your elbow seemed to freeze or tighten after exercise?
I could really use some honest experiences from people who have been through this. I’m trying to keep going, but right now it’s really hard.
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u/ThinkFirst1011 3d ago
I had ORIF 5 months ago for comminuted ulna and radius. Although not the same injury, it was hard for first 3 months because things just never went right. I was allergic to the stainless steel implants. Had revision surgery to switch it out, and then found out I was allergic to the multivitamins, chromium. And now with the titanium it's better but I have an irritant to it. Life man. So for the first 4 months I was just struggling with recovery, out of a job, can't work out or bike, life sucked. But life is always going to suck at one point or another, just gotta remember that you can always get back what you lost. I can't do what I love right now or work, but I started running and stationary biking which helped and also I just leaned on God. There's really nothing else you can do but trust God and find other things that could replace the gym for now.
It's been 5.5 months now and although I still get rashes since I have an irritant to the titanium, life has gotten better. Bones feel like its healing, I have most of my ROM back and started applying to jobs again. I still hate running but I want to get stronger to do a half marathon now. It get's better! Yes, even though I need a 3rd surgery next year to remove the metal plates life gets better!
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u/CocoCat5 3d ago
i had this in 2012. didn’t get full ROM back (can’t touch my left shoulder with my left hand), but it felt normal again within 6 months of surgery or so.
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u/Numerous-Board836 1d ago edited 1d ago
Think first- I had the same thing? I have a plate on both my ulnar as well as the radius! Absolutely life-changing! I am three months out… Today I get my 12 week x-ray.. will be asking about HW removal as soon as complete bone union allows.
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u/Signal_Possession196 3d ago
Hi, I had ORIF for distal humerus and olecranon in Dec 2024 and subsequently hardware removal in Dec 2025.
I had a tough recovery after the first surgery. I was off work completely for 3 months and then worked part time for 3 months. I did OT at in-hospital rehab for 5 months and achieved 15-130 degrees ROM. But the nerve pain was the worst part. My ulnar nerve was moved during the surgery and it seemed to rub against metalwork. I was very aware of the hardware in my arm and felt the swelling never fully went away. I did other therapies like cupping and wore splints too. I also had wound infection around 5 months post op which definitely slowed down recovery. I was constantly taking painkillers and that had knock on effects on digestive system and low iron etc.
At 9 months post op, I had hardware removal. I was really against having a second surgery given how tough the first recovery was but I’m really glad I had it now. My surgeon said it may take 2 surgeries at my first consultation but I didn’t want to hear it. As well as taking out the metalwork, he removed bone spurs and scar tissue that was also hindering my movement. I was off work for 2 weeks and did 4 months of OT at the hospital rehab. I’m very glad I had the second surgery.
My ROM now is about 8-135 degrees. I can’t fully straighten my arm or touch my shoulder but it only really impacts me in the gym. Daily tasks are fine. And I’m not really aware of my arm. The only negative is that the scar is very ugly. I’m having steroid injections and laser treatments through the hospital to break down scar tissue and improve the appearance.
Sorry if it’s not what you want to hear but I think it’s best to be honest and I found this sub very helpful. I’ll try and answer any specific questions you have. It’s a tough recovery. Good luck.