Femoral Fracture 12 weeks post op

[Alan B]

I had a second BHR in December of 2016.  The first was performed in 2011 and has been good in all respects for me. I returned to the same surgeon for this second BHR. I learned today through the results of an MRI that I have a femoral fracture in my hip from this second operation in December.  I was dealing with some pain when bearing weight on this leg. But there was no immediate or memorable painful experience.  It was not diagnosed through an x-ray last week which leads me to believe it is located within the cross section of the femoral component.  The Doctor after seeing the images is taking a position of keeping weight off it for 6 weeks.  Has anyone experienced anything similar and can share experiences.  I am 51 and really did not do anything that would have been traumatic to the joint.  Any sharing that could help would be appreciated.  Has anyone had success with this course of treatment.

Best, Alan

[Mike D]

Alan,
There's a very similar case on here from around the time i had my THR in 2012.
A guy called Jason who i think was Mr Mcminn's patient, crushed his femoral head.
He got away with it after resting up if I remember correct.
Maybe do a member search for him and get the full story?
All the best with your recovery, cheers Mike

[Pat Walter]

I am sorry to hear you have problems.  I think I have read of a couple cases where someone had a femur fracture and stayed off it for a period of time and it healed.  I wish I could remember who and when, but I can't.  If your surgeon thinks it will heal, it is certainly worth trying to keep the weight off and give it time to heal.  Good Luck.  Let us know how you are doing?  Pat

[moe]

Hi Alan, sorry to hear about your fracture. I had a serious bike crash 3 years ago, had to be rescued out of the woods. I had a fracture in the head of the femur, very painful, 10+, did I mention how painful it was? It showed up in x-rays and MRI. Spent a few days in hospital and doc advised non weight bearing 6 weeks, went from a walker to crutches to a cane. It healed nicely and I am back to 100%, I was lucky to save the BHR. Your situation is different in that you had no trauma, perhaps it did not heal completely and is more like a stress fracture.


I would do as your surgeon says and hope for the best at this point  Toe touch only on that leg.


Good luck and keep us posted, moe

[Alan B]

Thanks for sharing.  I remain cautiously optimistic, and also feel letting heal is best approach for now. I am one week on crutches and the pain/healing is very slow to improve which is probably not a surprise.  It is certainly not getting worse.  I will keep everyone posted as things unfold. 


Best,


Alan

[Alan B]

I wanted to report back on my situation.  I had a stress fracture that extended across the femural neck. It did not extend completely across.  I have been on crutches for almost six weeks and it is slowly but surely improving and seems it will heal with time. 

[Pat Walter]

Alan  Great to hear your fracture is healing.  I am happy you listened to your surgeon and stayed on crutches.  I wish you the very best and TAKE IT EASY.  Hopefully, you are well on your way to healing.

Pat

[moe]

Alan, good to hear that you are healing. These early weeks and months are really important to go easy. The bone will heal if given the chance.

[petemeads]

Today I managed to avoid the chance of a femoral fracture during recovery, it happened during the surgery - I was given a Zimmer ceramic THR instead. Bilateral at last,  but not as expected!

[blinky]

Well, drats!


Heal up quickly and tell us how the two hips compare. I hope they both feel great.

[catfriend]

petemeads -

Bummer! You'll have to let us know what happened.

[petemeads]

Hi blinky/catfriend  - I'm back home now and starting active recovery, taking 25 mins to  walk 1km, and things are looking OK.
Same surgeon as last time, happy to attempt BHR again, but different anaesthetist who took 2 goes to fit cannula to wrist and 2 goes to get spinal block  inserted which had me fainting and (nearly) requesting a general. Op went  well up to cementing the femoral cap in place then the ball fell off with the hammering. Plan B put into effect and a swish ceramic/crosslinked poly/titanium alloy THR was fitted. Surgeon apologetic but I think he has probably done me a great favour as a strong THR is better than a BHR  that failed out in the wilds somewhere. Activities can proceed as before, including running and climbing, and longevity should  not  be an issue at my age. Knowing it will take full weight already does make me more confident about this next phase which seems to be slightly advanced compared to last time. Will start a new thread, and will also join hiprunner (the THR community) now I am eligible!
Thanks for your good wishes, Pete