Ortho work - San Francisco ?

[kelpdiver 2]

thanks not to skydiving, but that otther fun way of flying along freeways, I get to have surgery and pins in the upper arm and or shoulder. But not for 2 weeks! as the spleen still hasn't been signed off on.

I'm lookinh for any strong pro con tales of clinics to go to. Stanford did the ttrauma care, but I'd rather stick close to home now, suggesting ucsf and who else? I can't search or type well, but if you can ppoint out older threads, I'll go read.

And for those that have done it, what's the discomfort like afterwards? Right now I'm in a sling that doesn't do a heck of a lot to fix the shoulder, and the hand is splinted (one bone there). finding the magical reclining position is damn hard. (esp resting on the two ribs that also got it)

any info here or PMd is appreciated.

[jose9878 0]

Hey KP,

I shattered my arm (the left humerous) hang gliding in January & went to Dr. Akazuki in SF. He did a great job getting it together again - without surgery. He has two locations;

3000 California St. (415) 563-2600
or
24 Willie Mays Plaza (415) 972-2249.

He works on the SF Giants at the second address. You may want to call the first number.

Also, I have slings, crutches, a hanging cast & leftover percocet if you need any of these things.

Good Luck,
Jose

[kelpdiver 2]

hey, thanks, looks just as convenient on location. As best I can tell, is part of PPO network as well.

no surgery - how long did that take? I have 3 breaks near the shoulder. Would be nice to start on now instead of waiting 2 weeks.

will touch base later.

[jose9878 0]

Call Ann at (415) 563-2600, She'll hook you up. I let her know that you might be calling. Dr. Akazuki is part of the PPO & HMO network. I only paid the $20 co-pays per visit. The best thing to do is call & setup an appointment since he's fairly busy...it may be 2 weeks before you can get in to see him. I just made a follow-up appointment & the earliest I could get in is next Tuesday.

I broke it on January 29th, was in a hanging cast for about 2 months & started physical therapy as soon as I could move my arm. I was out of the cast shortly after 2 months. He said I recovered faster than normal. I never really had any pain due to an abundance of percocet. He recommended that I take as much as needed instead of feeling any pain. The worst part is you lose your muscle tissue & it takes a while for your strength to come back. I'm still working on it. I want to go jump but I can barely lift 10 pounds, I don't know if I could pull off a left hand turn or a proper flare at this point.

The 3000 California location is at the corner of California & Baker, 3rd floor.

[kelpdiver 2]

name dropping rocks - can sneak in tomorrow at 8:30. Justt having more confidence in the sling will be an improvement.

[jose9878 0]

Rock on! Glad it worked. He'll give you a hard time for being a skydiver & you'll hear the ole "there's only two things that fall out of they sky" comment but he's great at what he does.

My arm was broke in 3 pieces...there was the part attached to the shoulder, the part attached to the elbow & a seperate floating part. Let me know if he puts you in a hanging cast & you can have mine, although your insurance should cover it...they run about $650.00.

-Jose

[brianfry713 0]

Sounds, and looks, similar to a skiing injury I had years ago. I managed to land through my left humerous after dropping a 15 foot frozen waterfall. There was a rock outcropping close to the exit point above and to the right of me, so as I launched I got back and to the left and my arm got underneath me.

Looking back it was kinda funny, and I did get it on video. I had a clean break in the bone with a chunk of it floating to the side. I was told that night I needed surgury, but I went and got a couple good second opinions and they said to just let it hang. I never had a fancy air cast or anything, just a simple sling. It was painful at first, but fortunately I had a nice cute girl to take care of me, bathe me, and wire my electronics labs.

I think it was about 6 months before it really started feeling normal, although I was walking without a sling and gently using it after about 4 months.

[kelpdiver 2]

video of my fall would be interesting, not sure I could watch. I suspect PLF practice on jumps was beneficial for this 65mph fall.

for me it will be surgery - the fractures are at the top of the humorus where it forms the shoulder.

This new cast on the hand and a padded sling feel much nicer - I think I can sleep again.

[Elisha 1]

So....what was it? Motorcycle accident? Just curious.