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Dynamic hip screw loosen

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Piercardin
Piercardin

6 weeks after dynamic hip screw for neck femur fracture new x ray done and seen by the Doctor shows healing and instructed me partial weight bearing without instruction of how many percentage then my friend physiotherapist friend instructed me every week increase gradually to 75 percent but i dont know exactly the amount i press on thr affected side then after one month which is 10 weeks x ray shows loosening screw but bone is fusing Doctor reminded me that i might to full weight bearing which is the reason but im always using 2 crutches then he said to restrict to 20npercent partial weight bearing for another one month. It is depressing to be like this cause i have yo go back to work. Is it dangeous? Do i need reoperation if this is worsening?Anybody can give me some ideas about this. I have wats up so can send my x ray +96569997261. Im confused need help.

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • vanessa24815
    vanessa24815 Piercardin

    Posted

    I had the same op on 17 April and was told to put my weight on it as soon as I could stand. Are you in the uk? I have been walking with one crutch for two weeks reverting to two when walking outside or when I’m just really tired. I had a zimmer for the first two weeks then crutches. I am doing exercises including doing walking on the spot on it and putting full weight. Not had my follow up yet- early June - presume I’ll have an x day to check it then. Do you still have pain- I have an ache all the time with burning at times, depending on how much I’ve done. But I’m not taking any pain killers anymore. As I’m not as far Along as you, I can’t say about another op although I was told that there is a 2 year follow up period to check everything stays in place. I need to go back to work too but as I’m on my feet most of the day it’s not possible at the moment, not sure how long it’ll take. Sorry you’re feeling down, I’m feeling the same, just want to go out walking as I did before and drive. I’m hoping my follow up shows no problems. Can’t bear the thought of more time in hospital after being in initially for 10 days. If you use one crutch are you able to bear it?
    • Piercardin
      Piercardin vanessa24815

      Posted

      Are you same my operation? Dynamic hip screw for neck femur fracture. Im 11 weeks post op now. Im working here in Kuwait. For about 2 weeks im on non weight bearing then after 6 weeks when Doctor shows healing he told me partial weight bearing but he didnt tell me how much percentage. My friend physiotherapist instructed me from 20 percent gradually increase to 75percent everyweek. ive never tried one crutch because i follow the Doctors order not full weight bearing. I dont have serious pain mild pain to moderate pain on certain movement like you i didnt take any pain reliever and i slept well most of the time. Now when ten weeks x ray shows loosening screw on the upper part thats why im worried and now go back again to partial weight bearing restricted to 20 percent thats why im wondering you did early full weight bearing. Now my supervisor allowed me to ga back work as desk job only otherwise i dont have salary. It is so depressing that we feel bored not to go back the activity that we were used to be. Now you are in one crutch but me still 2 crutch hoping it will be ok later for full weight bearing. Tell me about your story.
    • vanessa24815
      vanessa24815 Piercardin

      Posted

      Hi again, yes same break and operation. Had a fall and broke it. Emergency operation to do the DHS rather than a hip replacement as I’m under 50 and surgeon said they don’t last so I’d need it doing again in 10 years.  It’s been a traumatic time. You really should try one crutch to build up muscle on the other leg and get your body used to it. If the screw has moved but the dr didn’t mention an operation I wouldn’t worry about it but you must start to weight bear. Just start gradually- use two crutches most of the time but have short periods walking with one. It’ll take a while to get used to it. Your leg muscle will now be wasted in comparison with the good leg so you need to exercise it to build it back to shape. Have you been doing any exercises at all? 
    • Piercardin
      Piercardin vanessa24815

      Posted

      Yeah regularly i do exercise but im afraid not to follow the Doctors order to weight bearing only 20 percent because last time he riprimanded me that might be i did full weight bearing thats why the screw back out but i noticed in you tube different Doctors has different approach. I really wish to walk with full weight bearing to check if i can do without limping cause im worried. Its good for you you started it. Is it the instructions of your Doctor?
    • Piercardin
      Piercardin

      Posted

      Hi vanessa now going to 5 months im walking but with pelvic tilt if you have wats up i can send it to you for comparison how about you? Are you walking now without walking aids. Hope to hear your recovery.
  • vanessa24815
    vanessa24815 Piercardin

    Posted

    I haven’t seen a drsince  I was discharged at 10 days but I was told from the outset to put weight on it as soon as I was able to. Definitely different drs have diff approach, I’m back to see my dr in three weeks. I would question why your screw has come loose if you haven’t put weight on it? That seems strange to me - how would it work loose if you’ve kept your weight off it? 
    • Piercardin
      Piercardin vanessa24815

      Posted

      I did partial weight bearing but due to the Doctors not clear instructions i did what physiotherapist told gradually to 75 percent which i cant estimate maybe more but usually i walk outside 2 crutch thats why i wondered you early full weight bearingas tolerated. Hoping i can send you my x ray for 2nd opinion of your Doctor. You have wats up to send.
    • Piercardin
      Piercardin

      Posted

      Hello how are you now? Did you ask your Doctor about my situation? The Doctor saw my latest X ray and he wants to make sure the union and advice ct scan. So i didnt do full weight bearing thats why i wondered that your Doctor approached is to use one crutch which my Doctor say that the screw back out or loosening upper screw is the full weight bearing is the main culprit which i am 6 weeks non weight bearing then partial weight bearing that might i did maximum 75 percent. Hoping i can hear the explanation of your Doctor.
    • vanessa24815
      vanessa24815 Piercardin

      Posted

      Hi there, I saw my dr on Monday and he said that all patients are different but that the DHS is suitable for weight bearing straight after the op. I said other people had been told no weight bearing but he said it’s based on your personal history, generally it’s a weight bearing device. What he did say is that there is a 40% chance the hip will die off, the bone, so I need to be x-rayed every two months for the next two years. I lost a lot of bone in the break. It’s now just a waiting game for me. But I’m hobbling about without a crutch at home inside and walking well with one outside. Doing physio. I’d just advise that you need to follow your own doctors advice as I can’t advise you what to do, my screws are all in place, if the main weight bearing screw into your hip socket is loose surely that needs addressing?
    • Piercardin
      Piercardin vanessa24815

      Posted

      Hi there. The result of my ct shows that the screw has no fracture nails and no lucency around. Neck femur fixation is remodeling. Then Doctor allowed me full weight bearing. I tried to walk without crutch but i limp badly so that i use one cruth. Now om nearly 4 months post op. How about you?
    • Hoggle
      Hoggle Piercardin

      Posted

      Hi there, I am also recovering from the same injury and have a DHS. You will limp as the muscles around the hip have 'shut down' and need to be woken up with targeted exercises. Are you having physio? Keep the crutch until you have a smooth normal walking gait. Try to slowly increase walking every day, be safe though and don't push it if you're too tired or sore. Best wishes.

    • Piercardin
      Piercardin Hoggle

      Posted

      How many months before you walk with full weight bearing without walking aids. If you have wats up i can share my video to you to compare our recovery cause im worried for my pelvic tilt hoping it will not be permanent because i tried to walk straight but still uncontrollable.
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