Broken stem
Posted , 12 users are following.
Hi, I'm new to the forum but I'm hoping someone can help me. I'm 46 years old and need a third hip replacement due to prednisone use for chemo when I was 21. I have had 3 surgeries postponed due to weird blood tests but finally discovered it's because I had my spleen removed. I found out today that my stem fractured, probably at least a week ago, but my new surgery, just scheduled today, won't be until next Monday. It's quite painful and I've been on Vicodin for close to a week. My family is upset, worried that this could be dangerous. Am l OK waiting a week? Not sure I have any choice. Thank you for any help.
3 likes, 42 replies
rose0000 candice57475
Posted
Candice - sending you so much love - you have been through so much....and come through it all. On the plus side it sounds like you have so much support and love around you, which will help you to recover properly, and secondly you know what to expect this time, and are clearly very strong.
You can do this, and in a week or so you will with the grace of god be all fixed and thinking about going home. I felt nothing but panic before my THP and didn't have your complications - but I look back now and wonder why I was so worried - the surgeons know what they are doing and will take immense care of you.
Stay in touch and tell us how you are, the whole forum will be behind you - remember to come back on here for support and guidance we are all here for each other...any time day or night, there is always someone here - big hugs and good luck.
PS If my hip lasts 18 years I will be delighted
beth2509 candice57475
Posted
Feeling any better today Candice? I just wanted to check on you
candice57475 beth2509
Posted
ihavenonickname candice57475
Posted
AlexandriaGizmo candice57475
Posted
candice57475 AlexandriaGizmo
Posted
No, but it's been over 18 years since my last one. This new one should last even longer, I'm told. It seems things have changed a lot!
AlexandriaGizmo candice57475
Posted
Does seem that way, they give up to 25 years now, you have done really well haven't you, is it the 18 year one that's fractured?
candice57475 AlexandriaGizmo
Posted
Yes, and I'm hoping my recovery will go as well as my first, if slower. They cemented the component in so that will have to be removed . Thanks for the support!
AlexandriaGizmo candice57475
Posted
Your very welcome, that does explain why its happened cause it has been in well over what they would have expected at the time, so I'm impressed, my mother in law will be well over a hundred when she needs new one LOL
ihavenonickname AlexandriaGizmo
Posted
AlexandriaGizmo ihavenonickname
Posted
No of course I'm not, but it all depends on not just the prosthesis but other factor as well, like the age you had it fitted, if you were very active ie jogging, whether you are having problems with it, is it causing you any pain, if not then it will probably see you good for as long as you need it, chemo and steroids weaken bone structure and it can take a few years for them to become strong again, Candice has done amazingly well and her new one will last like many now being fitted 25 years + most people who have hip replacement are older and should not have to worry about having more than one.
beth2509 AlexandriaGizmo
Posted
I've been working on the premise that my replacement now at 59, if it fails in possibly 15 - 20 years if ever, I think I might have more to worry about than that! Neither of my parents made it to that age - although I'm not being depressed about it. They were working class and people with hard lives tend to have shorter life spans - it's just statistics. So the odds are that I will outlive them both. But who knows where or what I will be at 75 - 80? I worry about that in 2036! Gosh, when I typed that it felt like a sci-fi movie date! "Another galaxy, far far away in 2036..." Yikes!
candice57475 beth2509
Posted
I know what you mean! Doing the math seems amazing. I was somewhat active but I'm also overweight. I will be changing that for sure. Definitely an incentive for healthy eating.
AlexandriaGizmo candice57475
Posted
That's great, if something helps us to reappraise our lives and do something that will extend and enhance it then its got to be good.
Keep that in mind while your recovering but don't go to extreme diet wise while bones heal, I was on about 1200 calories a day when I first became immobile and eventually I upped it considerably to keep my weight up as repairing bones use lots of energy, back to normal now and have to be careful cause weights gone up a bit
candice57475 AlexandriaGizmo
Posted
That's good to know. Not sure I'd have thought of that.
AlexandriaGizmo candice57475
Posted
beth2509 AlexandriaGizmo
Posted
Yes. I also have vitamin d supplementation because it's winter and no sun, and food alone doesn't really provide it.
The amount of energy required to heal is enormous - similar to those bottomless pits called children, who are growing and use more energy to do that than most adults need! I even found myself buying a box of chocolate I am so into snacking - and I don't like chocolate! But I just craved the energy! Probably because I eat very little sugar - I don't like sweet things usually and I don't take it in drinks either.
I'm quite fortunate because I am told that my bone density is astonishingly good for someone my age, so that means that I grow bone really well- but the cost is that I'm hungry more! On that note, I just remembered I have some packets of plantain crisps... And they are calling to me!