broken hip recovery advice needed...............
Comments
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I was thinking of starting yoga classes after nearly a year after breaking my hip, but not to do contortions!, just to get flexibility back.
Has anyone out there tried yoga?0 -
I just kept it simple. But then I'm a 57 year old giffer and I prolly don't have the imagination to do anything else...
On reflection the thing that most occupied my mind - and I've repeated the 'mantra' after back surgery - is keep it simple and take small but positive actions to get fit. By that I mean increasing the walking (or crutching) distance by fairly small amounts, increasing the turbo rides by very small degrees of difficulty. The thing I feared most was regressing through secondary injury, like a pulled muscle. By keeping positive and occasionally looking back to see how much progress you've made gives the whole recovery process a momentum and almost a self-fulfilling quality.
Good diet, plenty of sleep, the right amount of exercise and watching the calories did it for me :P
mox senex dormit0 -
V-Twin, did you say you're currenyly using one crutch?
From what you've written it seems that you're biggest hurdle has moved from a broken leg towards a muscular deficit in that leg, so you can't walk properly or ride on the road. Is this correct?
You said that you also had an injury to the quads tendon on that leg, but have these muscles been severed?
What do your phisio and consultant say about the muscles and abilities of your leg?0 -
No, I'm free of the crutches and it's now about two and a half years since the crash. As far as the consultants are concerned I'm signed off. We waited until the risk of AVN had reduced and then I was free to go. I'm back riding and had a good week poddling round the lower Alps last year
I have suffered some loss of muscle in my left thigh - I haven't mentioned the quads tendon (someone else?) which makes the left leg less strong than the right but it isn't terribly noticable.
In my rather patronising load of b***ocks above I was just saying that steady progress with bags of patience was wot won it for me....
mox senex dormit0 -
It was me who managed to 50% sever my quad tendon as well as breaking my femur. I somehow sliced my leg open just above the knee on some part of the car that hit me. The surgeon stitched the tendon back together OK and was actually more worried about the open wound and possible infection that the tendon. Luckily it was OK, with the tendon healed in about 3 months.
SLICED LEG
Both injuries in the same leg have really affected the strength of the quad, hip, buttocks etc. It's just a case of lots of exercise and patience to get the strength back up.0 -
Hi all,
I've found this a really interesting thread. I broke the neck of my femur in four places by falling on black ice in december 2007- no car involved. I'm 48 and reasonably fit, so yes you can break your hip/femur by falling on it. I had a dynamic hip screw and plate fitted into the ball of the femur and then down the outside of the leg with fourteen screws. The plate is about 8inches long. I'm now back on my bike and can ride 50 miles steady at about 17-18mph though it took a long time to get the leg strength back to climb effectively.
I agree with those people who have said on here that it takes a long time to recover. I still have a slight limp when I walk and running is a complete no-no at present. The soft tissues are taking longer to heal than the bone and I can't afford the physio to speed this process up. I have seen my consultant for the last time now and been discharged.
After six weeks no weight bearing and then relying on sticks to get about, I have had to do lots of physio exercises to strengthen the muscles that wasted away with six weeks non-weight bearing. You must stick at these even if they are boring and painful - they do really help. I was still walking with the aid of a stick in April, and only stopped walikng without one just before the May bank holiday. The point someone made about a static bike/turbo trainer is valid - I did this and you just have to build it up very gradually and not get frustrated and over do it otherwise you just put yourself back.
Another guy on this forum had a similar accident and he said it took twelve months at least to recover - though he has ridden the Marmotte since his accident. Good luck with the recover rehab and stick at it, you will get there in the end - I did.0 -
After my broken neck of femur (12/1/8) I have been back on the bike 3 times, 10 miles 3rd time.
This 3rd time I sprinted downhill to keep ahead of a car, passed a red stop sign at a tight,BLIND "y" junction at 35 mph (wrong side of road). Fortunately it was a quiet time of day, but I've done this before, fitting between cars I'm travelling the same speed as (after the junction).
Unless I become a father someday, I guess I'll never change
P.S. I wasn't knowingly taking ANY risk when I broke my hip0 -
Good to hear people getting back on their bikes and have some fun. Its only been six weeks for me so far but I am literally dreaming of cycling again.
I have started some physio getting strength back into my quads and bending me knee. One of the things I have to do is sit on a chair and lift me bad leg keeping the knee bent. This is hard and painful, so I haven't done it much as I don't know if its good or bad pain, anyone know?Mañana0 -
Hi there fellow limpers.
I too have come off my bike and chopped the ball off my femur.. Damm, for me it happened in the rain on a roundabout which has recently been painted green around the edge for the safety and benefit of guess who? yes us cyclists.
Its been nine weeks now since the surgery which I had the day after the incident, I was nailed twice, once into the ball and the other down into the femur to hold it all together, unfortunately as the vertical pin was being hammered in an additional splinter came off the femur... Upon seeing the post op x-ray I raised this issue with the surgeon, he claimed that there was a fracture there that was not showing on the original x-ray but I suspect that he whacked the pin too hard causing additional damage. Still my physio assures me that this not cause any long term problems so Im not going to pull my hair out about it, there really is no way of ever knowing.
I am still using my crutches for all but the shortest walks around the house, without my crutches I have a John Cleevesesque walk with a lurching to the side limp. But I AM cycling, it is with great surprise that I read through this thread, my physio had me on the exercise bike within a month doing gentle 10 min rides and now five weeks after that im going out and riding into town and around for around an hour a day, it gets a bit tricky getting on and off and I am pretty damm nervous of getting into an incident but Im there.
My physio has told me from the start that I need to hurt myself and bust a gut to recover in good time, work hard relax hard she says. Pain is essential at this time but only within reason. My muscles were wasted after the surgery but with a good physio dedicated to getting you going things can happen fast.
I changed my physio after around 3 weeks of treatment, it was without doubt the best move I have made, the quality difference between the two has been incomparable, so my best advice to anyone in this boat is to demand the best treatment you can.
A physio does not equal a physio....0 -
Thought I would join the broken hip club too! Mine was April 8th, a car T-boned me out of a give way and I got the neck of femour break.
The weird thing is that I have had vertually no pain what so ever and was amazed at the extent of the break. I even argued that I didnt need hospital to the ambulance men! Anyway I have three AO screws and started full weight bearing last week. What worries me is this business of the bone dying from blood starvation, people tell me differant things about this ranging from it is extreemly rare to it could happen at any time now for the rest of my life! has anyone got anything to add?
My NHS physio said 'just have a go' back on the bike so I did yesterday around a field and it seens ok but still no pain for which I am greatful but concerned anyone else got no pain?
The good news is that riding was actually more comfortable than walking.
Good to finally read some positives (ish) google 'broken hip recovery' can be a bit depressing but I guess more people talk about bad experiences than good ones.
I find that one person telling me a negative pulls me down the good of five people telling me positives.0 -
Saw my Doc last week and it is looking better now. I have started to walk with 50% weight + crutches and he gave me the green light to use the turbo!
conceptsails I am glad yours didnt hurt when you did it, I cant even describe the pain I was in although I did not break the neck but the top of the bone. I think the avascular necrosis is where the end of the bone dies away. When I first did my hip in I read about this and I think that it is less than a 50% chance and the longer it goes on without happening the less likly it is, I dont think it could start to happen in 5 years, I DONT KNOW though.
My hip is kind of pain free when riding indoors just a few twinges if I sped up to quick or my leg goes wonky, just strength issues I think.
EDIT:
I have just been on the turbo. 30 minutes maxing at 200W and there was no pain! The most excersise I have done in ten weeks so it bought on a good sweat!Mañana0 -
This loss of blood to the head of the femur is - I think - called avascular necrosis (or AVN). My consultant said that the tricky thing is to spot what the state of the blood supply to the femur actually is at any point in time. X-ray isn't apparently totally reliable at presenting a picture that is a clear symptom. I was just checked (by X-ray!) and by personal account of increasingly painfree symptoms for 18months. The shank and head of the femur were clearly bonded and I felt fine, so I was signed off with the proviso that groin pain was a possible early sign.
Sorry not to be more positive - maybe others' info on AVN is a bit clearer than mine... :roll:
mox senex dormit0 -
completely agree with stevebsl. I changed to a private physio a couple of days ago and the differance is fantastic. You get an individual who personally trains you back into sport not just walking. If you havent got one, get one. its worth the money mentally any physically.
Turns out that the reason for lack of pain in my hip is due to the nerve endings being broken as well so I may well get pain in the future as they rebuild themselves. Look forward to that one then!
The loss of blood is called AVN but nobody seems to know if or when it could strike.0 -
Interesting thread, guys. I broke broke the neck of my right hip (femoral neck) in the middle of February when I skidded on a wet road in Spain. I'm 46 years-old and the fracture was not displaced. The Spanish surgeon put two screws in to pull the bone together (under an epidural, I was conscious) and the operation was a complete success.
I walked with crutches after two days and then used one crutch after three weeks; then I was walking with just a stick after four weeks or so. I was back on the bike after about eight weeks. Did about 100k after about 12 weeks.
I only had physio during the first week or so after the operation. After that I just kept as active as possible with advice from a consultant. They were reluctant for me to get back on the bike and wanted me to wait about 12 weeks after the initial fracture.
However, I was told to use a stationary cycle. A friend also suggested using a cross-trainer. Once I started using the stationary cycle and cross-trainer my recovery advanced very quickly.
I did try swimming. But I wouldn't recommend it. It's a very slippery environment and the risk of falling is very great. I nearly fell in the shower when one of my crutches started to slip. When I had a friend take me to the pool and look after me it was fine. But I wouldn't advise it alone.
One think that hasn't been discussed on this thread is bone density. The registrar at the fracture clinic happened to mention to me that it is unusual for someone my age and to be otherwise healthy to fracture their hip. He suggested that I have a bone scan. I'm glad he did, as the results showed that I have osteopenia (which is a mild form of osteoporosis).
My T scores for left hip (the good one) and lower spine are -1.2 and -1.4 respectively. This means I am outside the normal range which is +1 to -1. Any score between -1 and -2.5 is classed as osteopenia, anything less than -2.5 is osteoporosis.
I saw a bone specialist yesterday and she initially attributes my lack of bone density to alcohol abuse (drank a lot of beer) between the age of 17 and 29 and use of steroids (prednisone) to treat asthma. She doesn't think I have low testosterone levels (which can cause low bone density) but I had blood tests and more x-rays to find out more about my condition. When I return to the clinic they'll make some recommendations.
In the meantime I'm taking a calcium and vitamin D supplement and doing some weight training and some running.
I only fell from the bike on a wet road. No other vehicle involved. If you saw Denis Menchov slip on the road in the TdF stage a couple of days ago, then that's the sort of way I fell.
Any of you had a bone scan?
Bin0 -
V-twin wrote:groin pain was a possible early sign.
I am a bit concerned by groin pain being a sign of AVN, did the doctor give any more details?
Its just I have noticed a bit of pain in that area recently. I think this is normal as I have only just started to put some weight on it with crutches, but I cant help worrying.Mañana0 -
He wasn't more specific, I'm afraid. I asked whether I would feel pain in the hip (as an indicator of AVN) and he said no it would be groin. However this was advice given to me over a year after the break and with regular x-rays showing a good bond between the broken bits. Incidentally I had all sorts of twinges and aches as my body started to adjust to the partial weightbearing process . Seeing as I was in my 50s it was going to take time to mend and I just plodded along hoping that each x-ray would show a healthier mend.
If you feel unsure then it's prolly wise to ask about your specific situation; I can only mutter on about my own nightmare...!
(But I managed to climb the Tourmalet and Aspin in the past month so that got a bit of confidence back...
V-T
mox senex dormit0 -
Thanks for the reply. I contacted my doctor and he has arranged to see me next Tuesday. I was hoping he would say it is nothing to worry about and I am seeing him in three weeks anyway.
I did mine 12 weeks ago now, and like I say I have within the last week started to put some proper weight on it so this is probably why but I cant help fearing the worst.
Mañana0 -
Hi,
A dog brought me off when I was riding out to the start of a time trial. I broke my proximal femur and had a dynamic hip screw inserted.
I was back on the turbo after 2 months and I'm riding pretty strongly on the road now but not racing.
My consultant wants to see me in another 12 months to discuss removing the pin which at the moment I'm not too keen on ! Apparently it can cause complications later on in life if you do keep it in.
Anyone else had them removed ?
Paul0 -
graceo36 wrote:Hi,
My consultant wants to see me in another 12 months to discuss removing the pin which at the moment I'm not too keen on ! Apparently it can cause complications later on in life if you do keep it in.
Anyone else had them removed ?
Paul
Hi
I have just had the nail removed (2 weeks) from my femur as it was causing a fair amount of pain and restriction of movement. It feels ok at the moment, just had the staples out of the wounds today, so it's a bit sore. I go to see the consultant next Tuesday and will be asking how soon I can get back on the bike, but obviously the bone will be weak where the screws were, I just hope it won't be too long ! I will let you know what the consultant has to say.
TC0 -
Yes thanks. I'd be really interested in how the recovery goes and more importantly how quick you get back on your bike !
4 months on from my accident I rode our club 10 for the first time tonight. About 2 minutes slower than usual, but the wind and rain put me off a bit !!
Paul0 -
My consultant wants to see me in another 12 months to discuss removing the pin which at the moment I'm not too keen on ! Apparently it can cause complications later on in life if you do keep it in.
Anyone else had them removed ?
I had three compression screws in my hip - I don't know if they perform the same function as your dynamic hip screw (yours sounds slightly more (cough) exciting). The screws in my femur lined up the bones so that they would be held in the correct place for bonding to occur. As this happened so the heads of the screws protruded from the femur and I felt them pressing against the outer thigh muscles.
All three screws were removed after 15months and X-rays used to follow up and ensure that bone was filling in properly. [I explained that my greatest fear was coming off the bike again and landing on the screw heads...aaaaarrgh]. After a bit of partial weight bearing I was back to normal and I feel no symptoms at all from the broken hip - just the 4mm shorter leg length.
So my experience was positive - so far (2 years) [touch wood]
mox senex dormit0 -
Mine is starting to really piss me off!
:twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:Mañana0 -
After breaking my femur & partially severing my quad tendon on 26/9/07, I finally got back on the bike yesterday. I've been turbo training for some time but yesterday I put the road bike in the back of the car and drove to Richmond Park. Comfortably managed a couple of laps at a reasonble speed, although my right leg is still so much weaker than the left.
I'm seeing the surgeon next month for hopefully the last time. Fingers crossed the x-ray will show full union of the femur. Talking about pin removal, the last time I saw the surgeon he said come back a year or so after complete bone union to discuss the option of taking it out. I'm still getting some discomfort in the leg when walking any distance which feels more bone than muscle related. I had the screws out a few months back and that led to a decrease in pain, especially when exercising. Maybe pin removal will help even more, although a guy at work has had his pin in for 7 years without any issues.
For all you people on the road to recovery - keep your spirits up and if you see a guy on a Sigma Attica in Richmond Park with a large scar above his right knee, give him some encouragement (or a wide berth if you are in a car). 0 -
anyone who has had screw taken out... how long does it take for the holes to fill back in? weeks or months?0
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conceptsails wrote:anyone who has had screw taken out... how long does it take for the holes to fill back in? weeks or months?
A few months I reckon. Just had my final x-ray and consultation earlier today and you can still see faint lines in the bone where they took the screws out 4 months ago. They've healed up in that time though.0 -
I cracked my pelvis a year ago when a guy leaned out of a car window and pushed me off.
Best think I can recomend for cycling is keep RPM reasonably high, don't stand on the pedals for too long, and as soon as you can, work on the weakened leg - i'm all outa balance...Note: the above post is an opinion and not fact. It might be a lie.0 -
Hi, just getting over a hip operation i had a FAI , I did not do any rideing until the physco said it was okay ,and do all the exercise they give you they seem weak but they are the best to build core muscle back, i did exercise bike after one week just very very light while watching tv only 20minutes a day, went onto 1 crutch found it easier to try to walk with one , after 2 weeks out on the bike every day just 6 / 10 mile really easy and light and then slept in the afternoon as it wore me out, Listen to ya body and advise from the pros.
get well soon
Bill
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Hi, just getting over a hip operation i had a FAI , I did not do any rideing until the physco said it was okay ,and do all the exercise they give you they seem weak but they are the best to build core muscle back, i did exercise bike after one week just very very light while watching tv only 20minutes a day, went onto 1 crutch found it easier to try to walk with one , after 2 weeks out on the bike every day just 6 / 10 mile really easy and light and then slept in the afternoon as it wore me out, Listen to ya body and advise from the pros.
get well soon
Bill 0 -
Finally been back cycling for the past week, after over four months off the bike. The Doc says the bone is still not 100% healed but sufficient to go outside. I took the last three days off last week off and made the most of the sun, I clocked up 55 miles on Friday. My fitness is much higher than I expected and my hip/leg felt good but I have lost all ability to ride up hill, still averaged over 16 mph for those 55 miles though! The worst thing is how I feel when I get back, it felt like I had cycled more like 100 but thats a good feeling I havnt had for a while!
Going to start cycling to work next week.Mañana0 -
pigshed599 wrote:graceo36 wrote:Hi,
My consultant wants to see me in another 12 months to discuss removing the pin which at the moment I'm not too keen on ! Apparently it can cause complications later on in life if you do keep it in.
Anyone else had them removed ?
Paul
Hi
I have just had the nail removed (2 weeks) from my femur as it was causing a fair amount of pain and restriction of movement. It feels ok at the moment, just had the staples out of the wounds today, so it's a bit sore. I go to see the consultant next Tuesday and will be asking how soon I can get back on the bike, but obviously the bone will be weak where the screws were, I just hope it won't be too long ! I will let you know what the consultant has to say.
TC
Re my last post,
I saw the consultant 4 weeks after having the nail removed and he told me to leave it another week before easing back into cycling. I was a bit nervous at first about where the screws were being week, but it now feels really strong and much more mobile than before the op. I go back in 3 weeks for an x-ray of the neck of the femur, as they want to see if any signs of the dreaded AVN, if they are concerned they will send me for an MRI scan of the joint, which shows much more apparently. I thought at first I would be laid up for months after the op, but was only on crutches for 3 weeks and back on the bike in 5 weeks, I don't get out as much as I would like to on the bike, maybe 2 or 3 times a week for a couple of hours at a time. I am very pleased with the outcome of the op, if you need it doing I wouldn't worry about it, biggest problem for me was arranging the time off with work.
TC0
