Hi All: New here and happy to find some real life experiences. I fell 12 weeks ago and didn't learn until 3 weeks later than I had fractured my hip. Doc says it is a "non-displaced fracture." What he didn't tell me is the top of the femur is now jammed up into the socket, with a resulting at least 1/2" (sorry, I'm in the U.S. - don't know metric!) short leg on the fractured side. I was doing well until in therapy they put me on a stationary bike - that set me back about 3 weeks and I'm just getting back to where I was. I continue, however, to have horrible pain in my groin, like someone is shoving a sharp stick up inside my leg. The pain has been so bad that I haven't been able to do my exercises in physical therapy 2 out of the last 3 times I went. Now I'm hearing "If you're not getting better you probably need surgery." I really don't want surgery and I'm already going batty from being home for 3 months, can't imagine dealing with this all over again for another 3 months, although I realize if I do nothing I do continue to heal. Had a good day today so I did my exercises, now I am preventatively sitting on an ice pack. Anyone else out there who did NOT have surgery and still having pain at 12 weeks? I appreciate everyone's comments, you all give me hope!
~ Janet
hi janet,
warm welcome to the hippies forum where we share personal experiences and stories -
I am so sorry about your situation and the pain you are in ... I don't think it will get any better, sweetheart -
perhaps even worse -- it already has an effect how you walk now and soon you will lose range of movements -
Did your Orto Surgeon discuss anything with you - show you the xray and tell you how it can be repaired?
maybe you can ask for anothe consultation so you can make the right decision .. if there is an alternative, he/she might be able to help you with that as well -
please let us know how you are getting on okay ...
big warm hug
renee
'...the top of the femur is now jammed up into the socket, with a resulting at least 1/2" ... short leg on the fractured side. ...'
Hi Janet-
You have damaged your hip joint, and disrupted the circulation to the ball. It is slowly dying, crumbling. They call the syndrome Avascular Necrosis (AVN). There is no cure. You will continue to experience constant aching pain, with occasional stabbing episodes, that will quickly take over your life. Fortunately, modern medicine has a treatment that works 100% of time: total hip replacement. My advice: get yourself to a University affiliated major medical center, have their orthopedic docs take a look at you; see when they can schedule you. Or, if you feel comfortable with your local doc, and he has the THR surgery experience (!), you can stay local.
Don't hesitate. Get that THR. Start healing.
Hope this helps.
Hi Janet I sent you a PM I'm not sure if you can access them yet being a new poster, let me know if you cant
Get a 2nd opinion. To me it sounds like surgery is the cure
Hi Renee,
Thank you for your kindness and candor. I am beginning to realize what is in my future. I'm just sick about it, after already recuperating for 12 weeks. I am very leary of going into the hospital - MRSA and SEPSIS abound, not to mention a 12" scar, more rehab, physical therapy, and no guarantees that I won't still have pain after surgery. This seems a no win and I am very sad.
Hi t3chiman:
Thank you for your input. Perhaps this is why all of my muscles in the back of the leg where I fractured the hip have atrophied more than a doctor (not my ortho doctor, a physical therapist) would expect to see in someone confined to bed rest for 12 weeks. I started physical therapy two weeks ago, but most of the time the pain in my groin is so severe I cannot perform half of the exercises. I am getting a little stronger, but if this is good effort for no good reason, I might as well give up now and acquiesce to what seems the inevitable. Thank you for your share.
Got your PM and responded.
"...I started physical therapy two weeks ago, but most of the time the pain in my groin is so severe I cannot perform half of the exercises..."
Such is the futility of physical therapy on an injured body part. I would say, by all means, keep yourself as active as you can--under the circumstances that you presently find yourself. There is value in motion. But true healing won't begin until the joint replacement specialists do their work.
The thing is, it is amazing just how soon post-op you can start meaningful PT. Hours, not days or weeks. And the anesthesia specialists are so good, you hardly feel a thing. It is not all that dreadful of an experience. Get the ball rolling now, be back on your feet by Christmas.
THR scheduled for August 30. I hope it puts an end to the pain and that I soon can walk again. Not happy about having surgery, but the "non-displaced" fracture is now "displaced," so it was only a matter of time. Thank you for the encouragement!
hi janet,
I know ... it really sucks and that is the truth ..
I read some of our responses in another discussion and it seems that you are about ready to have it done - once the pain is so bad that you are getting EXCITED to have the surgery, you are there honey ...
you can look forward to a pain free, easy toilet trips etc. in your near future -
Accept that this is it for now - you can relax and that will ease your pain a little ...it is okay ...
Hi Renee: I just woke up and so did my hip! So yes, while still reluctant, am excited to get it done and over with and I'm reading over and over that as soon as it's done the pain will be gone. That's a great motivator! Even my arms are starting to hurt from using the walker! Don't mean to just complaint. I am grateful to have found this site where I can learn the truth about the whole process, and many nice and encouraging folk seem to be here. I appreciate being made to feel welcome.