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Fractured Femur after hip replacement

Posted , 11 users are following.

Msky
Msky

Hi just came back from the OS,from my 1st post Op visit.They did x-rays and saw that the top of the femur appears to be fractured.there is a black line where it is fractures.It is well approximated and he is going to check it in 2 weeks.Has anybody else heard of something like this occurring?He said everything was so tight in there that the prosthesis just put to much pressure on the bone.I was 3 weeks out at the time and really feeling pretty darn good

3 likes, 45 replies

45 Replies

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  • Msky
    Msky

    Posted

    Hi so I have really essentially done nothing since Mondays visit with the OS and things were slowly getting better.I was spreading out my pain medications to every 5 hours again.I was able to walk standing straight with my walker and just now believe it or not I think I screwed it up again climbing into bed.I stood on my bad leg which can take wt and put my other leg on the bed and the essentially brought my ad leg to the middle of the bed.Somewhere in that move the side of my leg felt stuck.I stopped so as not to force it and my husband helped. Me get my leg more midline which is more abduction .Now it hurts again.I am so discouraged,Really discouraged.I hope it feels better by morning but I am not hopeful. Please say a prayer for me.Thank you
  • Msky
    Msky

    Posted

    Just an update.So today was just a hard day.What has made it so much more beer able is reading peoples messaging.Im not the only person 4 weeks out having an awful time.Sometimes I literally feel like a dear in headlights.Its like "what the heck just happened"It's literally just like that.I am no longer sure what I can safely do because even when I do follow the latest directions it just does not always work and if it screws up like last night it just seems to she so bad.I was feeling sorry for myself until I saw the x-rays of a young girl named Sara who had the unfortunate luck of being born in her body.Poor baby,she is 20 and that is a baby to me.She has had so many surgeries it puts me to shame.So for all of us ,May tomorrow be a little kinder and less painful..Good nightsmile
  • julia77343
    julia77343 Msky

    Posted

    Hello msky, sorry to hear you had yet another bad experience, hope everything works out well in the end. I've got a lot of pain front mid thigh this morning. Did the Dr say that your bone would heal by itself. I'm so worried that my bone may be fractured or has come loose where the implant was inserted into the bone. Hope you are feeling better today. Hugs Julia. Xxx
    • Msky
      Msky julia77343

      Posted

      Hi Julia,sorry Im so slow in responding to this message as I did not get a chance to open it until just now.The OS showed me the black line where the fracture occurred.Told me to stop doing PT,not to bend over going forward and not to addict or abduct my leg.He said the bone fragment could drift up from my femur in which case they would have to go in and wire the broken part back to the femur head.He told me to essentially do very little so that the bone can mend.That is what I'm doing.The pain level which had been coming down to A 4-5 went up to a 9 for several days and I had 1 more very painful occurrence when I was climbing into bed.Tomorrow will be 2 weeks since it occurred and honestly it's just back down to a 5-pain level now.He said in most cases they don't have to do anything. Be careful.Take it slow.Ice is your friend😥
    • julia77343
      julia77343 Msky

      Posted

      Hello Msky, oh chick, i do feel for you. Did they say how long it would take to heal on its own. I was having a lot of pain in my mid thigh area, but that has calmed down a bit, but it's so scary how many things that can go wrong. I do hope that everything heals properly and you dont have to go through another op. I will be saying a prayer for you chick. Take it easy, and rest up as much as possible. sending you hugs and warm wishes. julia xxx
    • Msky
      Msky julia77343

      Posted

      It is getting a little better.Really taking its time.Afraid to do much.Just allowing it to heal .Just starting to do dishes again.Trying to help my husband but literally just started.He did not give me a good guideline.He said I might have to extend my time off but I don't have much PTO saved up.
  • cindy00429
    cindy00429 Msky

    Posted

    Hi Msky.  Just had my 7 week post op appt. I also had a fracture repair during surgery. I am now permitted to drive and to put 75 to 100% weight on my leg as tolerated. I need to continue to use the walker at least until I go back in another 3 weeks. 
    • Msky
      Msky cindy00429

      Posted

      The doctor was very clear that I must use my walker .Im walking very slowly with it.Yesterday we went to my brother in law's for Fathers Day and walked on gravel and it was scary.I did however totally love getting out and everyone's company.I felt more normal.My leg still hurts It's been 5 weeks as had it done 4/18.I am towing the line as I have got to heal up.
    • Msky
      Msky

      Posted

      So Today I went to 1 Tramadol 50 mg and 1 Vicodin in 8 hours and my pain level is still very manageable .Progress slow but steady.Im also doing some housework so onward and forward.1 step at a time
    • Msky
      Msky cindy00429

      Posted

      They told me to continue to use the walker also. My fracture occurred almost 3 weeks post op. The pain was really just like fresh post op all over again. Its starting to improve but I'm having to be very conservative. I am now back down to a hydro codons and 1 Tramadol ,goal 8 hours but made it for 10 but truthfully it hurts all the time. I just don't want to be a woos about it. How was your pain level. Its different when it's 3 weeks out but I just don't know what to compare it to. Please message back if you can. Thank you??

  • cindy00429
    cindy00429 Msky

    Posted

    Hi Msky.  My pain was all pre op. I was really unable to walk and pretty much hopped around.  It was excruciating even on pain meds for a year! I was very fortunate and did not have any pain after the operation. I still don't.  I do get stiff and sore if I overdo but it's bearable. I take pain meds only if I need them. Maybe once or twice a week. Driving has not affected the leg and I still use a walker even though I can put all of my weight on the leg. Remember, we are all different and we heal differently. I absolutely think that because I lived with such horrible OA pain and a fracture pre op;  that the discomfort that I get now is hardly noticeable. Best wishes to you. Let me know how you're doing. Cindy

    • Msky
      Msky cindy00429

      Posted

      Thank you for messaging.Its frustrating as I will compare self against folks that don't have a fractured femur and the other hip and feel frustrated that I'm not doing as well.Im learning that all things are relative.I have what I have.Today I did dishes and damp moped the kitchen and hall using a large cleaning cloth and the tool you use to pick up things,and teach things.I took pain meds every 8 hours and am now using 1 Vicodin and 1 Tramadol.It still hurts but I see daily progress.I have to go back to work in 2 weeks using my walker.He said I will probably be using it until I heal up from my 2nd hip which I don't think I will be able to get done until the end of October or beginning of November.Im glad your doing better.How long do you anticipate using the walker?Well be well??

  • cindy00429
    cindy00429 Msky

    Posted

    Good Morning! Hope this finds you in better shape and spirits. I return to my surgeon on 7/7. Until then, I have been instructed to use my walker, no exceptions. It's hard to not have the use of ones hands isn't it? But I think I figured something out. When I was last at my surgeons, he and his assistant were complaining to me that other patients were disobeying orders and precautions by going out shopping and actually lifting heavy cases of items off of the shelves. The Dr. actually saw this while shopping himself on the weekend! Subsequently, problems with the surgery happened. I think they deliberately keep patients on the walker so that the activity level and risk associated with it are reduced! I am allowed to put full weight on my leg as tolerated but with the walker. I think the walker limits certain activities as I'm sure you know. I don't know if I actually still need it at 8 weeks post op? Not if he's allowing full weight bearing? But I do whatever my surgeon instructs because the last thing I want is to have to return to the hospital. I do have to stop myself often from doing things that I am physically capable of: like putting my socks and shoes on, bending or lifting. I understand that there is a reason irrespective of the fact that I am physically able. But., still so very frustrating. What has helped me is visualizing myself in a wheelchair viewing my spotless home! It's just not worth it! Hang in there. Hope I was able to answer your question and I'll definitely let you know what he says after the 7th when I return!

    • Msky
      Msky cindy00429

      Posted

      Hi Cindy I am feeling better.The area of fracture,the breaking point is the center of discomfort but it is improving.I go back to the OS tomorrow.I think I'm going to ask for an extra week off to gain strength and stamina.I hate to do it but I don't want to go back word .I hope my job understands.I still want to do my other hip ASAP,hopefully the end of October.Thank you for your encouragement.It really has been difficult????

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