I have decided to share my unfortunate experience. On 4/23/16, I fell getting up out of a wobbly recliner in the late evening. Fortunately, a friend wa there to help me get up. I was also suffering from edema to both feet which prompted me to try to sleep in the recliner. Though I was unable to`sleep, I waited the night through and took a cab to the emergency room. During my emergency room evaluation, which i went there predominantly for the edema in myfeet, the ER Doc let me know that I had broken the ball off of my right femur in my fall the night before. He called my orthopedic surgeon in to confer with me about moving up my hip replacement. The hip replacemet was attempted the following evning at th same hospital. When I woke up in the Orhtopedic floor, I was told that the hip replacement didn't happen becuase when the surgeon lifted the broken femur head upt, he thought he saw pus. Thus I was put on IV anitbiotics and am still on oral antibiotics awaiting an upcoming 2 week period of time to be antibiotic free after which my right femur fluid will be retesed for infection and ,if clear of infection, I can reschedule my right hip replacement. What worries me is the loss of lenght in my right leg nd the loss f muscl tome waiting to have the hip replacement. My originally scheduled hip replacement was to have been last week. My dilemna is not knowing how long I will have to wait to get th hip replacement. A friend of my father's, another doctor, told me that what my surgeon may have seen could have been decomposed fat or bone marrow which occcurs when a bone is fractured. So far, my bone has not tested positive for infection but I was immediately put on antibiotics.
I am curious if anyone else has had an eperience such as this.
I am do sorry. That must be awful. I will keep good positive thoughts for you!
It all sounds dreadful, Cathy! May your situation improve soon! Your surgeon would be the person to ask for an estimate of how long until the hip replacement. In the meantime, I wouldn't worry about the loss of muscle tone. After the surgery and the initial healing, you will get your muscle strength and tone back. In the meantime, how are you getting around? I would imagine it is very difficult to navigate with the ball broken off. Must you use a wheelchair? I hope you have plenty of help so that you don't hurt yourself further trying to care for yourself. All of my best wishes go to you!
Hi cathy
Sorry about your health condition.
When i went to the doctor i was worried too about length of my legs.
My doctor said they can work out on it after my surgery difference is only 2 MM.
Please consult your doctor and also choose a doctor who is specialized in hip replacement surgery someone who has done 100 plus replacement.
Well ... thankfully for me, I haven't had any experience with your situation! What rotten luck you have had and how scary it must be. I am so sorry for your misfortune and send good wishes for a smooth and rapid resolution.
If you've read much on this forum you will know that the recovery from an uncomplicated THR is is not rapid. But it is all doable and the reward is great for those who persevere with prescriptions, restrictions, exercises and a good diet. I am getting second one done in a couple of months as pain is getting quite bad and the first is healing well. I hope you can move into the 'uncomplicated' category soon.
L
hi cathy,
that is very unfortunate ... what a terrible experience to wake up and find out you didn't get the surgery -
I would give the surgeon the benefit of the doubt - he was there and made the decision what probably involved more than have a look at it ...
I agree with Annie regarding your worries about length difference and loss of muscle right now -
When is your next appointment with surgeon?
This waiting time is the worst, isn't it ? Hopefully you'll get a date soon -
big warm hug
renee