Mlady777,

hey you probably read my post. "broken femur need help!" and got scared. I too am always on my feet at work. As far as devices I personally never needed one for my butt, but I did sit comftorably with my leg elevated on some pillows. Maybe a pillow or a little air seat cusion would help. They sell them at wal-mart, I think. I can't tell you how many times I got to drive around in the little electronic shop cart crashing into things. :-) lol.

My broken femur was unusual. Non-union (non-healing). So it took more time to get better. However eating good will help. Eating a lot of green vegtables will help. But all in all it just takes time. Like I tell everyone else just try and think of it as a longggg vacation.

Good luck! If you have any questions just reply to the post.

~steve~

Today I had a 6 weeks follow up appt. The dr took new x-rays and was very encouraged by my progress thus far. I have been very diligent in doing all the things I was told to do. I excercised 3-4 times daily. Worked on range of motion, ate good food, took supplements to enhance bone growth and protein drinks. Did not do any more than toe touch weight bearing that amounted to 20 lbs that I actually worked on at a bathroom scale so I would know what that felt like. Today I was told that I could now add 25lbs to that. That brings me to 25% body weight. He says that next week I can go to 50% body weight, the following week I can do 75% and then by week 10 when I go in for my next check I could be walking in the door on my own. I have read a lot of sad stories about people not healing or having prolonged healings. I am a 53yr old postmenapausal women. I am in good health but I did fear complications. I work as a hairdresser and I am so glad to know that tomorrow I can go back to work, it will be short days and I will be confined to working off a stool, but at least I am up and doing well. I know a lot of people have experienced prolonged pain. I have not taken any pain pills other than otc for 3 weeks. My dr encouraged me to stop taking them asap. I guess I just want to encourage all of you to do what your Dr. Says and combined with a lot of prayer support, you should get through it fine. Just remember, there are worse things that could have happened and be grateful they didn't. Keep a positive attitude and enjoy the time you have to reflect. I have learned a lot about myself. God be with you.

Hey all, I just want to encourage anyone who has suffered a similar injury. When you realize how serious a femur break is, you feel fortunate to be alive. To actually be healing without complications or delays is such a blessing. I have been back to work for a week now. Working 8 hour days. Getting around on the stool and doing what ever my clients need me to provide for them. I use crutches to and from here to there and carry stuff in a back pack, note: if you put a water bottle in there be sure it is closed tight, arrrgh. I heard about a lady that has custom crutches after spending years on hers, it is called lemonade crutches. She gives a lot of her proceeds to charity. It was started after a serious accident that claimed her husband and son and left her on crutches for 3 years. Her crutches have special pouches and purses and colors and amenities. Anyway, I just want to be an encourager, when I first went on line and read the things available about femur breaks I really had to fight the depression. I have to say, it is hard to spend 6 weeks doing nothing but let your body heal. But, use your time to reflect and think and seek. Its amazing what you can learn about yourself. Accept the fact that it will take time and use it wisely. This is really an opportunity for you.

I am up and walking great. I started using a cane to get around at week 11. It was hard at first, even a little scary. Working as a hairdresser I am on my feet a lot but I think it has been good for me. Clients that come in weekly comment on my improvement each time they come in. Uneven ground is where I have problems but I just take it slow and easy and remember to heel-toe and focus. My knee is still working to adjust to walking but it will just take time to build back the strength. I went through a museum last week. Spent two hours wondering through looking and felt great. I did take my cane but mostly for security. Feels good to be doing so great.

After 6 months I am progressing great. At the gym I am up to 150 pounds on the leg press. I am scheduled to have the pins out of my knee next month. There is some numbness in the knee associated with the pins and some arthritic type of discomfort which I am hoping will resolve when the pins come out. I am walking really well and on my feet most of the day working 9hr days 5 days a week. It is great to be up and around and doing so well. It's hard to remember back to the accident.

It's almost 7 months to the day that the dr took the pins out of the lower part of the leg. Very near the knee. On the x-ray the pins look like they are in the knee. Anyway, they are out now. I got to take them home. The procedure was pretty simple. I did have to go under a general anesthetic. I was able to walk out of the hospital, didn't need crutches and no pain. I had the procedure done day before thanksgiving, took that day off, save fixing the feast for my family. Was back at work on friday. I am so thankful for my good recovery.

It has now been a year since the spiral break of my left femur. I do notice when the weather is changing. I do take stairs a bit slower. But yesterday I was out in the yard working and cleaning up. Riding my 4 wheeler and getting around great. It feels good to be active and working and knowing that I was very lucky to heal so completely.

I am so grateful for how well things are going. Logged on tonight and see that there are more of you breaking your legs. Are we not stupid or what? I am so gratefull that I am back to normal activities. More so than most I think. It must be my genes that helped me to heal so completely. Also the fact that I didn't sit home feeling sorry for myself but did what my Dr. told me to do and did my PT beyond what was expected. I feel great. Playing ball with kids 1/4 my age and they can't keep up. I must enourage yu to work and work and work and not feel sorry for yourself. Hang in there and do what must be done.

64 year old female, quite healthy hiker...fell, broke the neck of femur...have a stainless steel ball with composite spike appx 9 inches inside femur....am one year out...do pt 2-3 times weeks. have a lot of pain, cramps at times, sometimes feel fine, other times have hard time even with cane recently had a bone scan and x rays, showed, no fractures, no loosening...anyone else with these problems...thanks castevenscpa

You mentioned a non-union femur break. My husband broke his two years ago--compound fracture. One year later it still had not healed and the surgery was redone with bone graft. Now another year later and it still has not fused properly. How did they get your non-union femur to heal. We have done everything the doctor told us to do, and eat healthy....plus take vitamin supplements. Any suggestions?

I am a 49 year old female. Broke left leg femur in car accident. Recovery has been very good. To date I exercise 4 times a week. Orbitrek and weights on affected leg during the week. Walk over the weekend. Started off with 3km now on 6km and will increase weekly.

X-ray showed extensive callus formation. I am very blessed to be alive and active again.

Yes you are...To be able to exercise as you do, is just plain wonderful...This can be a mean recovery and you have been fortunate...If you had been a few years older, it could have been different....Keep up the good work...

Caroline

I broke my tibia and fibula. A compund fracture. I am a 64 year old female and was on the third day of a sailing holiday. I slipped in my brother's driveway after a bon voyage dinner. I have a plate and 11 screws. You are all very brave. I have 2 more weeks until my second follow up appointment at the hospital I was taken to in by ambulance. The doctors and nurses all said, "You've done a good job on yourself!" I'm hoping to get back to the gym, walking and sailing in a month. It happened on July 3 pm and I was operated on on the 4th am. Hope I'm not being too optimistic.

Hi Norsca and welcome to ehealth...I think you are being a bit ambitious in your recovery program...That is a big and painful injury that you have...Then add to it our added age, (I am older too) and the fact that it must heal sufficently to be strong enough to bear the weight of your body...Don't rush it...Don't disappoint yourself...Take is easy and do what your doctors tell you to do....I do envy your sailing vacation as that sounds wonderful...In the meantime, relax and smell the roses of life...Refresh in your mind how lucky you were that this wasn't worse....Good luck...

Caroline

I am now 32 (almost 33) and shattered my femur 6 yrs ago in a car accident. The Dr decided to operate right away but did not take accurate protocol in repairing my injury. Nonetheless, my right leg (the injured leg) is a little over an inch longer than my left leg. I have gained and lost weight (now gained again). This uneven-ness has caused me many problems in life and my military career. My hips are off balance. My back is not aligned, and I had a great deal of pain carrying my last child. I have a titanium rod and 4 screws/pins still in my leg that no one feels the need to remove. I encourage anyone that goes through this terrible, painfull experience to ensure that their physician has YOUR best interest at heart and will take the time to perform the appropriate tests and x-rays to ensure an accurate treatment and better healing process for quality of life.

Latocha

Hello,
I just wanted to say something that will hopefully motivate anybody that reads this. I broke my femur about two years ago, and I know that's a long time and you're probably thinking "well that's a long time"...but I have been 100% ever since 5 1/2 months from my accident. I broke my right femur and had 2 pins and a wire in my leg. I was back to sports in 5 1/2 months and it's as if it never happened. I feel excellent. I just hoped that might make people a little more optimistic. I'm sorry for everything that happened to you guys and I hope you're as fortunate as I was.