Severe broken arm - supplements?

pitbullmamaliz
pitbullmamaliz Posts: 303 Member
Good morning! I broke my humerus in 4 places (it wasn't connected so my arm was swinging in mid-arm. It was awful) and got a 6" titanium plate put in. My surgeon put me on a massive vitamin D supplement for 8 weeks. I've also been upping my protein. Not aiming for any certain number, just adding protein shakes and making a point of eating more greek yogurt. I've been eating like a horse so I know I'm getting enough calories in (probably too many still, afraid to weigh!). What else should I be adding? Just a basic multi-vitamin? Or super high doses of specific things? Calcium, vitamin C?

Replies

  • pitbullmamaliz
    pitbullmamaliz Posts: 303 Member
    Beautiful, thank you so much!
  • AJB1014
    AJB1014 Posts: 1,380 Member
    I just read to take k2 with D3?
  • jjpptt2
    jjpptt2 Posts: 5,650 Member
    Sorry, but what are you trying to accomplish with the changes in diet?
  • pitbullmamaliz
    pitbullmamaliz Posts: 303 Member
    That's right. Anything that may help the bone heal faster, and the muscle and tendon repair fast. I've been using arnica topically to help with the major swelling I had. It, combined with a compression sleeve and ice, seems to be helping. :-)
  • pitbullmamaliz
    pitbullmamaliz Posts: 303 Member
    I will definitely do so, aokoye! Thank you for all the feedback thus far. :-)
  • mitch16
    mitch16 Posts: 2,113 Member
    A "bone healing" diet is actually a thing: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5804294/
  • pitbullmamaliz
    pitbullmamaliz Posts: 303 Member
    Thank you, I'll read that!
  • Maryanne1923
    Maryanne1923 Posts: 53 Member
    edited August 2018
    When I had a compound fracture of the tib and fib after a road traffic accident my orthopaedic surgeon recommended a calcium supplement which also contained vitamin D. Apparently the body takes up the calcium more efficiently when vitamin D levels are not too low and vitamin D also helps with bone regrowth. He said I should take them for at least a couple of years even though my diet was pretty good for both anyway.

    No cast just metal rods and pins. Healed nicely, 20 years later most people don't even notice my tiny bit of a limp and I only get a slight ache in very cold weather. I can even run! Hope you feel better soon.

    ETA: I also lost a lot of muscle and skin which I had grafts for. Apart from obvious scars they also healed well. Plastics consultant told me best thing was a varied diet of lean meat, wholegrains, veg and fruit, but especially oily fish, nuts and seeds. Oh and full fat dairy which also helps with calcium uptake as opposed to low fat versions. Anything with vitamin E which helps with tissue repair.
  • HoneyBadger302
    HoneyBadger302 Posts: 2,075 Member
    I took the "Doctor's Best" bone support supplement after a tib/fib pilon fracture (multiple fractures on the tib, and a hunk of the fib broke off). Plus what you're already doing with increased protein. Healed "very fast" according to my ortho. Took it again when I had all the hardware removed 9 months later (due to infection on one of the plates during that time). Despite the infection, the bones healed very well and quickly.
  • lynn_glenmont
    lynn_glenmont Posts: 10,093 Member
    From your avatar, I'm just glad they didn't shoot you.
  • pitbullmamaliz
    pitbullmamaliz Posts: 303 Member
    LOL @ Lynn.

    Thank you all for the suggestions and help! I really appreciate it!
  • psychod787
    psychod787 Posts: 4,099 Member
    Tumms, a great source of calcium and they taste kinda good! K+, if you don't have kidney problems. Magnesium and VIt D.
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    Bones need lots of calories for healing. Increase daily calories to above maintenance.
    http://blog.trainheroic.com/injury-recovery-nutrition/
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