When I broke my arm as a kid, a shape I still can’t physiologically justify formed in the middle of the arm. It was just a “U” but the arm continued normally after. I don’t know why.
My doctor at the time described it as a “swan neck” break. I’ve tried looking that up just now but all of the first results are people asking whether a swan can break your arm, so I’m not sure whether it’s a widespread term.
According to him, it was because of the distinctive shape of the neck of a swan at rest in water:
My arm didn’t make exactly that sharp of a curve, but I see the connection. If the swan were looking up, it would be pretty close. Maybe it was just his office or even a regional thing, I don’t know. I’m reasonably sure that he and everyone who heard him say that, possibly excluding orderlies and probably excluding me, is dead now, so I’ll likely never know.
In trying to look that up, I saw several things I wouldn’t have minded not seeing. I was, however, amused by other search results, such as “how can I tell if I broke my arm” (based on my very anecdotal experience, if you’re not certain, it’s a fracture at most) and “broken arms: symptoms and causes” (admittedly there are edge cases, but I think in almost every case the sufferer will be cognizant of the cause or, if not, it will be obvious to any observers).
One last note: this event happened at home. My parents both took me to the hospital. I have a distinct memory of telling my mom that I was thirsty in the waiting area, at which point she got up and came back with a cup of root beer, saying she had found it on the hospital bathroom floor. She denied that for the rest of her life, but then why do I remember it so distinctly?
… I’m pretty sure they hadn’t given me sedatives yet at that point.
I’m pretty sure she got the root beer from a vending machine. If she said what I remember, I’m pretty confident it was as a joke. I was quite distraught in the moment and both parents were working hard to cheer me up.
When I broke my arm as a kid, a shape I still can’t physiologically justify formed in the middle of the arm. It was just a “U” but the arm continued normally after. I don’t know why.
My doctor at the time described it as a “swan neck” break. I’ve tried looking that up just now but all of the first results are people asking whether a swan can break your arm, so I’m not sure whether it’s a widespread term.
from what i searched up it looks like there’s a finger deformity called swan neck so maybe the doctor took it from that
According to him, it was because of the distinctive shape of the neck of a swan at rest in water:
My arm didn’t make exactly that sharp of a curve, but I see the connection. If the swan were looking up, it would be pretty close. Maybe it was just his office or even a regional thing, I don’t know. I’m reasonably sure that he and everyone who heard him say that, possibly excluding orderlies and probably excluding me, is dead now, so I’ll likely never know.
In trying to look that up, I saw several things I wouldn’t have minded not seeing. I was, however, amused by other search results, such as “how can I tell if I broke my arm” (based on my very anecdotal experience, if you’re not certain, it’s a fracture at most) and “broken arms: symptoms and causes” (admittedly there are edge cases, but I think in almost every case the sufferer will be cognizant of the cause or, if not, it will be obvious to any observers).
One last note: this event happened at home. My parents both took me to the hospital. I have a distinct memory of telling my mom that I was thirsty in the waiting area, at which point she got up and came back with a cup of root beer, saying she had found it on the hospital bathroom floor. She denied that for the rest of her life, but then why do I remember it so distinctly?
… I’m pretty sure they hadn’t given me sedatives yet at that point.
ah cool (except for the root beer (?)), thanks
No problem.
I’m pretty sure she got the root beer from a vending machine. If she said what I remember, I’m pretty confident it was as a joke. I was quite distraught in the moment and both parents were working hard to cheer me up.