Finally have the balls to ask..Too late for elbow surgery?

[jkwhat]

Dislocated my elbow, split the bone at the age of 14/15 during a snowboard accident, some of you probably received the surgery where a screw is inserted in the place of the bone that is broken. My parents (my mom actually who does not like surgery) opted for the path of natural recovery. I am 19 now and I have never regained full motion of my elbow, my elbow has been bothering me as of lately every other day. I can feel the piece that broke moving around in my elbow as it was never removed. I have met people who have opted for the screw surgery and have no pain and full motion but only have a very large scar. Honestly, I'd rather have that than pain. The catch is they got it right after they received their injury, not 4/5 years later after scar tissue and whatnot have set in. I've been avoiding the question because I've always been scared of the answer, but is it too late for me to consider the surgery? If the answers in this thread seem optimistic, I think I'll email a specialist.
Thanks e90.
-JK

I realize this could potentially fit into the health/fitness section but I'd rather more people see it to find a clearer answer.

I looked at this site and even though I don't think it's the same injury, the site says
"If the fracture shifts in position, the patient may require surgery to put the bones back together."
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00503

And my logic for optimism is that what if this fracture is moving about now, 5 years later. Doesn't this offer a possibility for surgery?

[khaye1]

I am on the same boat but it's not my elbow but my pinky. 20 years ago it got stepped on and and broke, imagine you're looking at your hands (palm facing away from you) the pinky is at a 90 degree angle. I popped it back into place and let it heal by itself. It was fine but it had an ugly bump and every now and then it hurts. Finally re-injured it playing football and saw the doc...his opinion, opt for reconstructive surgery. It can be done.

[MCMLXXXIX]

my cousin had surgery on his nose a little over a year ago. hes 20 and I guess he broke it when we were really young and lived with it. his breathing was messed up but got it all fixed

good luck

[Holloway]

Modern medicine can do some pretty amazing things.

It sounds like its bothering you, I encourage you to seek a specialist.

Money towards medicine is money well spent.