Background

Started using Arc unit in March 2013 for a clean break of left humerus after a fall from a horse. More recently, she had an operation on a transverse mid-shaft humeral fracture. Plate and screws, bone graft and a posterior approach were used on this clean break. The operation usually takes two hours, but due to bone, muscle and surrounding tissue joining at fracture site, it took a little longer as they “took some separating”.

Two days after the operation she took two codeine phosphate tablets for pain relief, and has taken nothing since. Three days after the operation she was sent home with a variety of pain relief that she has not had to use. The Arc was used every 24 hours from before the operation.

Results

Two weeks after the operation, the surgeon said the wound was healing well with no sign of infection. At 9 weeks there was just a small line/gap that still had to join, which the surgeon said was normal at this stage. The plate and screws were in the same place as initial operation and all bone graft had been absorbed. Physiotherapy was used every fortnight and she has just started hydrotherapy once a week.

Thank you for your help regarding the unit – it has been a godsend to me.