Well, I fractured my femur through and now have a steel rod in my leg.

[Scottie Mom]

Damn!

Visit # 1 to hospital for sore R knee. ER doc did X-rays an left me in the hallway got me a pain RX. Discharged me home w/o seeing if the brace fitted and w/o checking if I could securely walk. I fell going up concrete and brick stairs going into house. Leg twisted one way and full leg immobilizer the other way and I felt the biggest snap and intolerable pain

Visit # 2 to the ER was via ambulance for admission to an ortho floor. Out of surgery 5 hours now.

So how was your day after Thanksgiving?

[Walleye]

1. Well that is a bummer. Hope you get completely well quickly

[Scottie Mom]

2. Thank you.

I see the board on the wall in my room an that is on the list.

[Elessar Zappa]

3. Damn, that's no fun!

Sorry to hear of your troubles, sending good vibes and virtual hugs,

[Scottie Mom]

23. Thank you for the get well wish.

Each one makes me smile.

[multigraincracker]

4. Get back on your feet soon.

Look into vitamin D3&K2 for bone strength.
I got it from Amazon and now see it in drug stores.
D3 is for calcium and the K3 sends it bones and muscle and away from the places you don’t want calcium deposited.

[Scottie Mom]

5. Thank you for the info

Will definitely look into it.

[Scottie Mom]

6. I hear ya!

And I hate hospitals like crazy.

[Irish_Dem]

7. I did that, and it is so much fun, isn't it?

Scottie Mom hang in there.

It happened a couple of years ago and I have no pain at all and walk two miles a day now.

The recovery is not pain free however.
Just hang in there, it will get better.

PM me if you want to.

[Scottie Mom]

12. Thank you!

I fell asleep after the last post and did not see the replies after that. Sorry to take so long to respond.

I am so glad to see you are OK. Hope it continues in the same way.

[Irish_Dem]

37. You will be too.

It is an ordeal but turns out fine.

[Scottie Mom]

61. Yes, an ordeal.

No fun. At least no pain - achy, but no real pain.

Thanks for chatting with me.

[Irish_Dem]

62. That is very good, low pain.

Of course the pain pills help right now.

You are welcome. I hope my chatting is not too much for your right now.

[Scottie Mom]

65. Not taking any pain meds.

Would rather know my level of pain than not know. I need to get home to my Scottie and be able to take care of her.

Besides, I greatly dislike being in a hospital. The chatting helps! 👍

[Irish_Dem]

66. Jebus.

You are a better woman than I am.

I hate pain meds, I am afraid of them.
But I had to have them or couldn't get up and walk after surgery.

I am glad the chatting helps!

Are you going to manage at home OK?

I have a little dog too who is my soulmate!

[Scottie Mom]

68. I should be OK at home.

As long as I can get to the bathroom and kitchen, I will make it.

I love my Scottie with all my heart. Wish I had someone like you nearby. Dogs are the greatest gift a person can get.

[Irish_Dem]

71. Yes

I have a little Maltese, 8 lbs, who is my constant companion. And very protective.
She recently nipped a repairman at the house for the furnace, I was mortified.
But she thought he was too big and coming to close to mommy.
So I have to keep an eye on her.
Luckily the furnace guy loves animals and just laughed.

You may need a shower chair, it is really helpful when you are allowed to shower.
I assume you will have a cast for a couple of weeks until the surgeon takes it off.
You may just have to take a birdbath for awhile.

I also recommend you get home delivery for your groceries.
They will deliver them to your door.

Also most restaurants provide home delivery.

Use your walker at first. The cast makes you off balance, and trust me you don't want to fall.

Yes it would be great if we lived close.

[ailsagirl]

8. So sorry to hear this

😰😱😣

[Scottie Mom]

13. Thank you.

This has been awful.

[ailsagirl]

20. We're here for you, Scottie Mom

[Scottie Mom]

21. What a great reply!

Very sweet and kind of you!

[lastlib]

9. That SUCKS, Scottie Mom!

You are probably in for a LONG road to recovery! I hope you heal well! Please keep us posted on your progress!
Four years ago, I fell off the back of a truck at work, and broke two lower-leg bones--got a metal rod in each bone. After six months in a boot, and almost three years of therapy, it didn't heal properly, and I will have a limp for the rest of my life, probably. I hope I am not discouraging you by telling you this, and I hope you have a much better result. Mine didn't go well. OTOH, Alex Smith QB for Washington Redskins (now Commanders) had a double compound tib-fib fracture, got life-threatening infections from it, but a year and a half later, was back playing pro football. (Of course, he got a lot better (and more intensive) therapy than I could've afforded.

I hope you have a good support network of family and friends--that will be vital to a good recovery. Best of luck to you!

[Scottie Mom]

14. OMG! That is awful!!!

Glad to hear you are finally OK. What a journey for you. Do you Have any residual problems like arthritis?

[lastlib]

26. Yes, sadly, I do.

Arthritis in the ankle, swelling below the fracture (lymphedema), numbness in my foot from nerve damage, bruising and tenderness around the fracture--and a metal rod trying to pry my kneecap off if I flex the knee wrong. I used to wear a size 9-1/2 shoe--now I can't get my foot into anything smaller than a size 13, due to the swelling.

Other than that, I'm fine! (Hope you do better! Keep us posted!)

[Scottie Mom]

64. Wow! Two different sized feet. That's gotta be hard

I had a pal in college with two very different sized feet. She used a shoe exchange for people who had the same issues. Hope you found someplace like that.

I’m so sorry about what happened to you. You should have had better care. It’s a real shame when someone is suppose to help you and they hurt you instead.

[ProfessorGAC]

10. Geez, What A Drag

My wife broke the fibula a few years ago, but that's a pretty small bone.
Zero displacement, so no rod, screws or plates.
Your injury sounds way worse.
Sorry this happened to you. Get well soon

[Scottie Mom]

16. I did the same thing about 10 tears ago.

I used to wear toe traps when I road a bicycle. Don’t do that anymore!

Had the same recovery as your wife did with that break This break was much different. The giant muscles tried to fix it by spasming to put the femur back in place. I cannot describe the pain. Just will say that strong pain drugs, including Oxie, did not touch it.

[PJMcK]

11. Ouch!

What a bummer! I'm sorry to hear of your misfortune and hope you heal quickly and well.

Two years ago, I had a full-knee replacement on my left leg. I had been suffering from severe arthritis for years and when it finally got to bone-on-bone, it was time for a replacement.

The surgery was painless. The pain management was superior although my wife says that the Oxycodone (I think, it was the non-addictive drug) made me act a little loopy. I didn't care because I was comfortable.

Most important for me was to follow the post-operative exercises religiously. My insurance provided physical therapy at my house at three times per week for three weeks then two more weeks at a nearby facility. I was assertive with my exercises. This helped accelerate my recovery. I highly recommend this approach.

Best wishes and follow your healthcare professionals directions!

[Scottie Mom]

17. Thank you for the advice.

I will follow the instructions to the “T” that are given to me.

[unc70]

15. Shattered my femur 25 years ago

Several large breaks plus spiral breaks down to the knee. Large rod from hip down with 16 "sheet metal" screws holding everything together. No weight at all on that leg for nine months. Crutches only. Took another six months to rehab to walk fairly normal. Mostly ok now.

Good luck with your recovery. Femurs are slow to heal, but the will. Wishing you the patience to deal with this. Remember that, without that plate, you would be like the cartoons of the patient in traction with the weights hanging off the bed.

[Scottie Mom]

19. OMG!!!! Compare to you, I did nothing.

Wow. I am so glad you are OK. I have one break above the knee — clean through. Knee and rest of leg is OK.

Had surgery this morning and since that, I not asked for pain meds.

Glad, so glad, you are mostly OK. That was a devastating injury.

[mountain grammy]

18. So sorry that happened to you..terrible injury.

Hope you're feeling better and healing soon.

[Scottie Mom]

22. Thank you!

Every “get well” puts a smile on my face.

BTW: Great handle. I love it.

I just got a sweat shirt that says: “Gigi. Like a grandma, but so much cooler!”

[flying_wahini]

24. Sheesh! Some people will do anything to get out of Christmas duty!

(Sarcasm) Hope you get well soon.

[Scottie Mom]

28. Well, all the shopping is done.

That’s at least a start!

[Irish_Dem]

43. Just sit back and let everybody wait on you for once.

Your shopping is done. That's it for you.

The first two weeks after surgery I wasn't supposed to be up on the leg at all.
Using a walker, and then used a walker for while after the first two weeks.

So you will be taking it easy the next month.

[Scottie Mom]

67. Don't mind the walker if I'm at home and can get around.

It’s being CONFINED and not being able to immediately shake free that is hard on me.

And, yes, I will try anything to see what I can tolerate. Can’t just sit there and not push to get better. Self hypnotism helps too !

[Irish_Dem]

72. That is the hard part, being confined and immobile.

But the good part is that the weather in most places has turned cold so you can't actually
run around outside any way. So if you are going to be laid up, a cold month is better.

But you will miss some of the holiday festivities.
And you can't hop in the car and go shopping or anything right now.

I would line up some books and movies to distract yourself.
Or work on some fun projects.

Did you say the PTs are coming to the house?
They are life savers. I was clear with them that I am a walker, I walk a minimum of 2 miles per day.
And I wanted to get back to that as soon as I could.
They understood and got me back where I wanted to be.

Today. I rarely even feel the pins and rod in my leg. It doesn't hurt at all.
But once in a great while you just feel it faintly there.

But don't get too carried away and overdo. You want the bone and muscles to heal properly.
The PTs will guide you on this. The surgeon's office will give you discharge instructions about
what he wants you to do and not do right after the surgery.

Oh, everyone says you need protein to heal the bones. So make sure you are getting protein
and an adequate diet. This is very important. And you are going to be more tired than usual.
That is fine. Your body needs it right now.

[Scottie Mom]

77. So glad you could get back to walking.

When you can do what you used to do, that really helps you feel like you have recovered.

I never thought about feeling the pins and rods in my leg. Kinda creepy.

Will watch the Diet. I tend to be a bit of a vegetarian, but I do eat fish and chicken.

Thanks for chatting with me.

[Irish_Dem]

83. Yes

As long as I can get back to my normal life, I am happy.
And do everything I need and want to do.

You can't really feel the rods and pins. On a rare occasion, it just feels like
something faintly is there. Barely noticeable. The surgeon's predictions that I
would always feel them was very wrong.

Yes I tend to eat salads and fruit and I got a big lecture from a family member who
is a nurse practitioner that I had to eat some meat and other proteins. It was critical
in my bone healing. Fish and chicken are protein. So make sure to eat them.

You have had a serious bone break.
You know the drill, healthy diet, stay hydrated, plenty of sleep, low stress.

[debm55]

25. I am so sorry for you Scottie Mom. Do you have someone to help you at home?

[Scottie Mom]

27. I have some great friends.

Thank you for asking. They have been with me all thru this.

[sinkingfeeling]

29. Hoping you have a complete recovery.

[Scottie Mom]

30. Hi and thank you.

So far, so good. I should go home this week.

[gibraltar72]

31. Broke femur in two places

when I was 14. Went into surgery, 12 hours later came out in a plaster body cast. That summer was hell.

[Scottie Mom]

33. OMG!!! How horrible!

How did you do that? Yes, a horrible summer, but a horrible time any time. Is everything OK now?

[Scottie Mom]

51. Long story. Fault of an ER doc who did no do her job correctly.

See original post re my two visits to the ER just hits apart.

Medical treatment in the USA is in sad shape. 😫

We really need better medical care.

[OldBaldy1701E]

32. So sorry that this had to happen.

[Scottie Mom]

34. That is so sweet to say.

Thank you so much for posting that. I don’t think it really would have happened if the ER doctor on my first visit had been so negligent.

[OldBaldy1701E]

35. I have to agree on that. (n/t)

[Irish_Dem]

44. I had the same thing happen.

I had another accident where I tore the ligament in my ankle and the ER doc put me in a boot.
It was huge, heavy and obviously too big (I am small.)
The doc insisted it was the right size for me.

I walked with the boot for six weeks as ordered, and one day my knee was so painful I couldn't walk.
Xrays showed a stress fracture most likely caused by the heavy and oversize boot
made for a larger male. I had to have surgery to put bone cement in the fracture.

I had also visited an orthopedic surgeon after the ER visit and asked him about a better
fitting boot, a smaller and lighter one, and he didn't even look at the boot.
Just said you already have one. Medicare won't pay for two boots.

So I hear you, it is maddening.
You go for help on one issue and end up in more pain and more surgery.

[Scottie Mom]

47. WE NEED SOCIALIZED MEDICINE.

I am sorry for what happened to you. People need to be respected and treated well. PERIOD. Money should not matter.

[Irish_Dem]

53. The medicare rules about ortho equipment are strict, so it gets a bit weird.

You will see what I mean.

For example you are probably going to be sent home with a walker.
Which Medicare will pay for. My first broken bone I was given a walker.
Afterwards I gave it away to a friend who needed one.

Then I broke another bone and found out that Medicare only pays
for a walker once every five years.
So I was on the hook for the second walker.

Yes you are right, it is crazy. In both our cases we were given the wrong equipment
or it didn't fit property and resulted in broken bones. It is all about money and bad care.

I myself am very skeptical of any ortho equipment given to me by an ER doc. I have osteoporosis
so I break bones. I once had an ankle break and the ER doc gave me a small boot and brace.
I went to see my beloved Physical Therapist and he took one look and said it was piece of crap and
took off the brace and threw it in the trash. He said I would break my neck walking with it. He gave me
something else to replace it that felt much better and actually fit. And I was able to walk well with it
and had no problems.

Oh I should also let you know. Once you are on Medicare and break a bone with surgery,
somehow you get on a phone sales list. You will be getting calls from people sounding like
they are from Medicare and want to send you a leg brace and things like that.
They are not from medicare, it is a scam. They send you stuff and it is billed to medicare.
Which then causes problems when you need legit equipment because you have used up your
equipment allotment.

Also I checked with my surgeon who was angry and said surgeons do not want their broken
leg patients on long term leg braces. The bone and muscles cannot start working and heal correctly.
So make sure to only take advice and equipment from your surgeon's office and from your personal
physical therapists.

[Marthe48]

36. Bad news to hear!

Be careful of yourself in the healing process. Move around as much as you are allowed to. I always worry about blood clots when someone has a leg or foot injury.

Maybe by the time I post this, you are home. Feel better!

[Scottie Mom]

38. They are starting in hospital therapy today.

Should go home this week. Will have therapy at home also.

Thank you for your well wishes.

[Marthe48]

39. We are all glad for the update

Thank you.

Hell of a fall and bad luck on top of it all.

[Scottie Mom]

40. I feel like I have to warm people.

They should be able to rely on the work and statements of a medical doctor — especially an ER doctor.

Her negligence is inexcusable. I should have NEVER been told what I was told and I should never have been sent home by private car.

[Marthe48]

42. I thought it was negligent to send you home

without some safeguards. You have time to think about following up on that part of it. Get mobile and get home before anything else!

[Irish_Dem]

45. Listen to the physical therapists. They will get you mobile again.

[Scottie Mom]

46. They were just here. I seem to have done well.

Now sitting in a chair.

[Irish_Dem]

49. Oh my you are doing very well, SM.

I was a wreck after the surgery and not doing well.
PT was a real struggle.

And here you are having done quite well with PT and even sitting up in a chair.
And also reading DU and making OP and comments.

You are a force of nature.

[Scottie Mom]

50. Thank you. What a compliment!!!!

I got out of bed and with a walker got out of my room and most of the way across the hall. I think I did pretty well. Afraid of pain of putting weight on the leg because the injury was screaming painful. No bad pain. Just a bit achy. Not bad for a first day. 😊

Thanks for chatting with me!

[Irish_Dem]

54. Wow you did great.

Wow I am impressed, you got across the hall.
You beat me by a mile. Good girl.

[AllaN01Bear]

41. eep. went into er last sat , didnt get out untill 0100 pst. feel better soon.

[Scottie Mom]

48. Thank you.

I hope you are doing well.

[LakeArenal]

52. Now they check ya close at the airport! 😉

Are you going to need PT or wheelchair for several weeks?

Try the pool therapy. I liked it

[Shermann]

63. This is true, they can set off those detectors. nt

[Scottie Mom]

75. I know about the airport. My late husband had an implanted device.

Right after 9-11 we had to fly from the West Coast to Washington, DC. OMG,, did airport security check him out!!!

Will need PT for a bit, but should come to the house. I am using a walker now. Cannot see a need for a wheel chair...hopefully.

Oh, yeah, the pool!! I love the water. Will suggest that.

[yonder]

55. Sorry to hear and best wishes for a quick recovery.

Shout out to the D3 K2 treatment mentioned upthread. The poster explained its function well. I understand K2 is like a traffic sign for calcium: go here but don't go there.

After first hearing of it I asked my doc - he was kind of lukewarm but said go for it.

Again, wishing a speedy and quick recovery!

[Scottie Mom]

76. Thank you for the good wishes and the info.

Will make the same suggestion to my doctor. Want to read up about this before I discuss it with him. I’m

[pandr32]

56. May you recover well.

Hopefully you have some loved ones near to spoil you a bit while you mend.

[Scottie Mom]

74. I have wonderful friends.

I am blessed that they are in my life. Thank you for the get well wishes.

[Alpeduez21]

57. My Friday sucked

My sister plugged her hair dryer into the microwave circuit and the breaker kept popping. Took too long to reheat my leftovers. Needless to say I was bummed.


I’m very sorry to hear about your accident. Rest as much as you can. Feel better soon. Sending the best possible vibes your way

[Scottie Mom]

73. Thank you for the good wishes.

And I should not have laughed at the hair dryer disturbance. But it did made me smile. So thank you for that, too !

[Alpeduez21]

82. I'm glad you got the joke

You don’t know it but believe me your posts have kept me sane.

[Jilly_in_VA]

58. Wow!

At least they got it right the second time! /s My Thanksgiving? Well, I was in the hospital too. See my post below yours. Anyway, best wishes to you for a speedy recovery. (hugs)

[Scottie Mom]

78. Trying to find your post!

The new DU is a bit confusing!

[Bayard]

59. Dang!

That really sucks. I haven't broken a leg, but most everything else. Do your PT!

[Scottie Mom]

70. Love the Scottie. Thank you.

Did the PT today and did well. Will keep working at it.

[beaglelover]

60. OMG, was it a compound fracture?

[Scottie Mom]

69. Was not compound.

But broken completely through. Ortho doc has doc said it was a very bad break.

[beaglelover]

79. So sorry. Sounds aweful! Hope you feel better soon!

[Iggo]

80. Oh my gawd!

I heard someone’s femur snap back in high school.

It ain’t nothin’.

I hope you’re on all the dope you need.

[Scottie Mom]

85. Actually before the surgery, the pain was off the chart.

Nothing, ever oxie, was touching it. Had the surgery, and no pain meds after. I was amazed. Achy today after PT and sitting up for hours. But still OK. Working on getting health aides at home so I can get back to my Scottie AB.

I have to say that the pain with the fx was off the chart to the max.

Thanks for the post.

[underpants]

81. Ouch!

[Scottie Mom]

86. Yeppers! Awful pain. EOM

[Laffy Kat]

84. Oh, no. A femur fracture is one of the most painful injuries.

And right at the holidays. So, so sorry this happened to you.

[Scottie Mom]

87. Thank you for the reply.

Have most of my shopping done, but still a bummer to be hurt and in the hospital.

You are correct - a femur fx’d is the worst pain I have ever had. Much better now.

[Marthe48]

88. How are you today?

Hope onward and upward

[Scottie Mom]

89. Hi, thanks for asking.

Little sore today. The plans are for more walking. But doing well overall.

The nursing staff and PT persons are wonderful. Kind and great at what they do. Of course the food sucks!

Posting with all the great DUers has been a gawd send. It has given me so much strength to know there is a wonderful family of friends surrounding me.

Again, thank you.

[Marthe48]

90. Maybe someone will sneak in some leftovers :)

Glad you have a good pit crew. They'll get you up and running soon.