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Julie_Bache's avatar
Julie_Bache
Member
14 years ago

Almost pain free!

Hi all. Long time since checking out what's been happening here!

After months of treating pain with drug patches and some radiotherapy, I finally found out what was causing all my pain. I had complete break in my femur! Only found out because the rod I had put in 31/2 years ago ... snapped without warning!! When the surgeon requested all xrays and scans he noted the break showed up in a March scan but was not reported on. This was in June. The pain started towards end of the previous year so I expect it was breaking slowly for long time.

I now have a metal plate inserted, with 13 screws, going from knee to top of femur. Expect airport alarms to ring! While I still need to do hydrotherapy for flexibility and strength I do not have to take the strong painkillers anymore. Don't know how I functioned with all that was being pumped into me!

Now looking forward to taking off for white christmas in USA but no skiing allowed! Been 51/2 months and bone still not healed but the metal is holding all in place.Further bone grafting may be needed.

When will medicos listen to us when we say things don't seem right? I really must become more assertive!!

A merry Christmas to you all. Hoping you can enjoy some wonderful festive times with family and friends.

Julie xx

9 Replies

  • Di_BCNA's avatar
    Di_BCNA
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hey Julie, glad to hear that things are looking up and you're feeling good. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you with take-3!  Your holiday plans sound fab.

    Di

  • Julie_Bache's avatar
    Julie_Bache
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Tonya.

    Enjoy your trip. It's great to be able to look forward to these things. I thoroughly enjoyed mine, in spite of the discomfort. I was not going to let it spoil my fun!! I am already planning my next getaway. It certainly gives me a purpose to keep on going. Going to explore a bit of the N.W. of W.A., then Tasmania and then hopefully some of Europe. Feeling very lucky and blessed right now; I am confident things will improve from here on in.

    Happy travels,

    Julie.

  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    14 years ago

    Yes,it becomes a saga doesn't it. My ankle saga went on for about 2 years. I feel so sorry for you- the leg pain must have been dreadful. It's hard to enjoy a holiday when in pain. I hope take 3 works out and you can recover and get on with life. I'm well and about to go on a trip to Europe in 2 weeks time.

                                        Tonya xx

  • Julie_Bache's avatar
    Julie_Bache
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi all.

    Tha saga of my femur continues! I returned from my holiday at the end of January to have follow up exrays from the latest surgery (June) involving insertion of plate and 13 screws to hold and support femur. I had been experiencing pain while away and needed walking stick to get around. Xrays showed three screws had broken and plate had come away from bone in area where broken bone had still not fused. When surgeon (I requesed another surgeon) went in to do a bone graft he discovered the bone was in fact dead! He had to cut out 5cm bone and then do graft, consequently leaving me with na shorter leg!! He also removed the plate which he said was doing nothing. I am glad I changed surgeons as I like that he has taken a diiferent approach.

    Hoping that take 3 works!!

    Trusting all of you are finding positives in your journeys

    Julie. xx

  • Julie_Bache's avatar
    Julie_Bache
    Member
    14 years ago

    Tonya, I actually changed surgeons after my op. Not that it was his fault that the break hadn't been diagnosed but he was a pompous prick! It must be a trait of orthopedic surgeons!!

    Have a great Christmas,

    Julie.

  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    14 years ago

    Yes,we must be more assertive.A similar thing happened to me.I broke my ankle a few years back and got talked into a plate and 5 screws- the fracture wasn't really displaced but I wasn't about to argue with a top ankle surgeon. So ,like you,I endured 5mths of agony and on crutches with the pompous surgeon telling me I wasn't positive enough.He finally relented and sent me for an xray.His words were -o how did that screw get in there,that's too long.We'll get you in straight away to remove it.He had nailed my fibula to my tallus with a 3inch screw-no wonder I couldn't move my ankle.I told him to remove plate and ALL screws.But he accidentally left a screw behind sticking in a muscle. So another 8mths of physio and pain till I finally had a ct scan and then found another surgeon to clean up the mess.It will never be the same but at least I can walk ok(3hrs tops)and I don't need those pain killers.Hope you have a great holiday and keep those doctors on their toes!

                                                       Tonya xx

  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    14 years ago

    Yes,we must be more assertive.A similar thing happened to me.I broke my ankle a few years back and got talked into a plate and 5 screws- the fracture wasn't really displaced but I wasn't about to argue with a top ankle surgeon. So ,like you,I endured 5mths of agony and on crutches with the pompous surgeon telling me I wasn't positive enough.He finally relented and sent me for an xray.His words were -o how did that screw get in there,that's too long.We'll get you in straight away to remove it.He had nailed my fibula to my tallus with a 3inch screw-no wonder I couldn't move my ankle.I told him to remove plate and ALL screws.But he accidentally left a screw behind sticking in a muscle. So another 8mths of physio and pain till I finally had a ct scan and then found another surgeon to clean up the mess.It will never be the same but at least I can walk ok(3hrs tops)and I don't need those pain killers.Hope you have a great holiday and keep those doctors on their toes!

                                                       Tonya xx

  • traxx65's avatar
    traxx65
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Julie,

     

    Wow what a long time to go through pain.  I've heard about things not being picked up lately. 

    Enjoy your White Christmas in the US.  Take care and I wish you well.

    Tracey xx

     

     

     

  • traxx65's avatar
    traxx65
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Julie,

     

    Wow what a long time to go through pain.  I've heard about things not being picked up lately. 

    Enjoy your White Christmas in the US.  Take care and I wish you well.

    Tracey xx