i refer to falling as free bone density tests, and indeed best way to know, although rather inconvenient when breaking something. recently failed mine when i broke two ribs. nothing that can be done about it, but suck it up.
never knew they can't put elbows in casts. can't imagine what you have been going through with the pain. i can imagine the inconvenience w intubating as i had the worst time when my arm was in an immovable cast following the shoulder replacement. the nurses poking my catheter in is what caused the hernia--i'm quite sure as that's when it first appeared. so be careful! i know you are. janet