Bone Fractures

[Newhampster]

Just broke my arm (radius) in a simple accident skiing. Clean fracture, got the cast yesterday. Orthopedist says in 6 weeks, the cast comes off (9 Feb) and I can rebuild the muscle tone.

I am scheduled on a liveaboard trip (Caribbean Explorer -- St. Maarten, Saba, Statia, etc.) that begins 4 weeks later (9 March).

Are there any implications of the broken bone that I should worry about?

Thanks,

 

[Rick Murchison]

My experience says no.
The docs may have another opinion.
Rick

 

[BillP]

Hi Newhampster:

Sorry to hear about your arm. There's a relevant article on the DAN website that will answer your question. It's about a broken leg rather than an arm, but the answer still applies.

http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/medical/faq/faq.asp?faqid=140

HTH,

Bill

 

[Newhampster]

Right on target.

 

[LawrenceAlexWu]

Here's a better link:

DAN Europe - Bone fracture

 

[LawrenceAlexWu]

I read that with a severe broken bone, DAN recommends 6 months no diving due to unpredictable likely hood of DCS.

Does any one know if a non-displaced and closed fracture have the same problem?
See: The Basics of Bone Fractures

ie: if it is only a crack in the bone... & not fully broken... Is it still a risk w DCS? & if so, how long must someone wait before being able to dive?

...hoping that diving can resume in 2 weeks...

 

[gert7to3]

A simple, uncomplicated fracture of this nature has not damaged the surrounding tissue, (blood vessels, muscles, ligaments, nerves, etc.) very much. There is also less edema (swelling) due to the fracture. Edema can linger for months after a significant, complex fracture. These are the factors DAN seems to be paying the most attention to and seems not to be too concerned about with a minor, well healed fracture.

I broke my wrist similarly in 1995. The OP may have some issues with strength and weight bearing at just 4 weeks post cast removal. He should think about managing his gear with entry and exit from the water. Perhaps shedding his BC in the water instead of pulling himself and his gear up a ladder would be a solution. Also, using your injured arm for stabilization on a pitching vessel could be a strain.

I was shocked at how much muscle tone I lost. After they took the cast off I was flexing my hand and they asked if I was ok? I told them I was just trying to re-inflate my hand.

 

[LawrenceAlexWu]

Thanks very much for your reply Gert. That helped a lot with my decisions to dive

 

[tridacna]

Wow. 15 years seems a long time between posts.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Our new friend With is dealing with a healed fracture and as recommended, he searched before posting. Being the economical sort, he used his search result post rather than starting a new thread. Seems quite reasonable, in this specific case, as opposed to some ancient threads that receive new posts from time to time.