Fractured Acetabulum - hip, anyone here been through it ?

My turn to reach out and ask for advice...

As a result of a road traffic collision between me on my pushbike and a Transit van, I find myself at home trying to cope almost singlehandedly and looking at up to 6 months of work.. 3 months off without question and physio booked there after with a phased return to the office but a good while till I can climb ladders or get back on my bike.
Just wondered if anyone on TZ has been through this as I would be interested to read of their recovery timescales, how they coped and how they are doing now..
I had my collision (I don't like to call it an RTA as he was 100% negligent/ failed to look etc), two weeks tomorrow (Tuesday), and I have been at home one week tomorrow after an op in St Georges to pin my hip together..
I'll be off for my lunchtime nap soon (getting around on the crutches and doing stuff is knackering), but would be v interested to hear from people who have been through it or from any healthcare people..
Even though I had quite an eventful week in St Georges, I have nothing but praise for the staff there and for the care I received. All nationalties in there working together to deliver successful outcomes - made me think " sod this Brexit b*ll*cks" .. but that is not a topic for the George & Dragon :)

thanks in advance,

bry,

No experience myself, but very best wishes for your recovery.

No help on timescales but sending best wishes for your recovery. Having had a number of mates with serious injuries (part of the job) the ones that recovered best/fastest seemed to be those who gave themselves some structure to their days, ate good diet and set regular small achievable small goals with regards to their recovery.

Tom

I can't help with recovery info, but as a fellow cyclist who has taken a spill or three I wish you good luck for a speedy recovery. Mine says hi . . . ;-)


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thanks BP - appreciate that...

Thanks for the advice Tom.. I think I'm doing what you suggest which is good to read. I have been making 'to do' lists of every day tasks plus phone calls to make etc and that is keeping me focused and helps me not to waste energy as I hop around my small house.I have been v busy just keeping on top of things but I'm taking all the meds and eating well and sleeping a lot better now at home, with lunchtime naps as well :)
With the first week (out of 12), of keeping the weight off my right leg ticked off tomorrow, I tell myself this is the hardest it will be.. I have not started the exercises yet but will do so tomorrow.. My goal at the moment is to get through this crucial 3 months without putting weight on my right leg. The physio said "only as much weight on that leg so as not to crush a strawberry beneath your foot" !!

Magirus - that must have been a fair old bash as it looks very colourful !
thanks,
bry

Playing football five years ago I managed to snap my femur and shatter my hip. I was in hospital for three months due to various issues/complications and had to have a full replacement, this was a killer for me in my early 30’s having played team sports all my life. Anyhow the physio was tough but I stuck to it and was walking again without crutches/sticks in eight weeks (I had a lot of muscle wastage due to laying in bed for so long in hospital). I was able to get back to the gym after about three months and build more strength up but obviously football, rugby and basketball were now out of the window (if I am honest a brief return did happen but a dislocation later that stopped). So now there is some rowing, some cycling and lots of hiking but everything else is back to normal except for setting airport metal detectors off.


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^^ Wow, that sounds worse than me for sure, at least I'm at home now after a week in hospital.. I was never into football that much, cycling has been my passion for the last 14 years so I hope I can get back into it.. Have to cancel a ferry ticket for a camping & cycling trip to the Pyrenees i had planned for the end of May.. I tell myself there are plenty of people worse off than me..
They put a titanium plate and screws into me - would that set anything off? can't be that much material there..

I broke my acetabulum/neck of femur when cycling to work and a guy walked into the road ahead of me.

Good news is that my injury didn't displace and I wasn't in too much pain. I avoided pinning and any AVN complications. I had to rest without lifting/exercise for a number of months, but went back to work quickly riding my motorbike.

Bad news is that 9 years later I am increasingly arthritic and suffer night pains when the weather changes. I will need a hip replacement at some point.

Great thread here - it's a "popular" cycling injury - https://www.bikeradar.com/forums/vie...011&t=12571535

Thanks for the link Guinea - plenty to read on that thread for me.. Good that you did not require surgery, shame about the aches and pains..The surgeon did say I would now have a greater chance of developing arthritis... may i ask, did you ever get any redress from that ? at least the driver did stop in my case and I'm going through the CTC accident route..

Did my hip Boxing Day 2016, laid 2 hours in a field waiting for an ambulance. Plated and pined the following day and kicked out (in the nicest possible way) on New Year's Eve.

8 weeks non weight bearing.

My advice, listen to your physiotherapist and complete all the recommended exercises. As soon as I could I was out walking on my crutches, even got past by an elderly neighbour who had a replacement hip two weeks earlier. That spurred me on :).

Best aid was a high toilet seat, (adjustable height that stood over the existing one) little things.

All the best with your recovery.

I'm wincing at the thought of this. I have a minor foot issue that is now very much in perspective.

All the best in recovery. Eat and sleep well to give yourself the best chance.

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Originally Posted by bry nylon

^^ Wow, that sounds worse than me for sure, at least I'm at home now after a week in hospital.. I was never into football that much, cycling has been my passion for the last 14 years so I hope I can get back into it.. Have to cancel a ferry ticket for a camping & cycling trip to the Pyrenees i had planned for the end of May.. I tell myself there are plenty of people worse off than me..
They put a titanium plate and screws into me - would that set anything off? can't be that much material there..

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Yeah it was fairly shitty and they had to chop the femur off at the first break and then insert a titanium shank and ceramic ball. I echo the toilet seat idea and I also found a weird device to help with socks. All in all I don’t look back on the period fondly but I don’t really experience any issues now. Due to all the morphine I was taking in hospital the most painful part of the process (except for actually doing it) was when the nurse had to remove the 43 staples from my leg when the wound had healed after the op!


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Originally Posted by magirus

I can't help with recovery info, but as a fellow cyclist who has taken a spill or three I wish you good luck for a speedy recovery. Mine says hi . . . ;-)


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Attachment 14068

Mine says Hi too. Cars hurt! [emoji605] [emoji594]

Wishing you a speedy recovery

From my experience if you are still being paid DO NOT focus on the insurance claim. They go on for years and can delay mental recovery. Ping me if you want to chat.



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A couple of small tips.

Sleeping with a nice big fluffy pillow between your legs helps you to settle on your "good" side and reduces the temptation to try to turn over. I found sleeping the hardest part about hip surgery and was kipping in the spare room. Our neighbour must have been one of the last people in Britain to get milk bottles delivered and the milkie arrived clanking down the long path in front of us at 3AM. If I had been mobile I'd have throttled him!

Consider a mattress topper as an interim arrangement for when you can first lie on the operated side. It will be tender for quite some time from the incisions and memory foam reduces the pressure.

Get some gel pads that go on the handle of the crutches. It really helps after a while.

Then as others have said, listen to the physio and do exactly what you are told. Ideally find one that specialises in hip re-hab.

Good luck!

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Originally Posted by MonkeyBoy

Did my hip Boxing Day 2016, laid 2 hours in a field waiting for an ambulance. Plated and pined the following day and kicked out (in the nicest possible way) on New Year's Eve.

8 weeks non weight bearing.

My advice, listen to your physiotherapist and complete all the recommended exercises. As soon as I could I was out walking on my crutches, even got past by an elderly neighbour who had a replacement hip two weeks earlier. That spurred me on :).

Best aid was a high toilet seat, (adjustable height that stood over the existing one) little things.

All the best with your recovery.

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cheers MonkeyBoy, I'm out on the crutches but do find it tiring I must admit.. I was given an A4 handout which had some recommended items which I have now bought: perching stool for the kitchen, adjustable rails to go around the toilet and a litter picker type grab handle.. All of these have been v useful..

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Originally Posted by Bendigits

Yeah it was fairly shitty and they had to chop the femur off at the first break and then insert a titanium shank and ceramic ball. I echo the toilet seat idea and I also found a weird device to help with socks. All in all I don’t look back on the period fondly but I don’t really experience any issues now. Due to all the morphine I was taking in hospital the most painful part of the process (except for actually doing it) was when the nurse had to remove the 43 staples from my leg when the wound had healed after the op!


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I'm having the staples out this afternoon - not looking forward to it !

Thanks for the kind words and tips stefmcd,TAG0001 and thegreatdogwood, all good stuff for me.. I had a busy day yesterday what with an eye test & popping into my office, was good to see people but I feel a bit deflated this morning and thinking of staples out at 5pm.. I bought some gel stuff from a tennis & cricket shop as the handles are getting to me already..
Yeah I keep thinking about the claim and stuff.. I was disappointed to receive a letter on Friday from the Met Collision Investigation & Prosecution Team for Lewisham & Bromley Area : 'no further action' - civil matter etc... I have not even given a statement yet to the Police for what I say & others agree, seems to be a clear cut case of driving without due care & attention..
They have asked me to put an email together and they will have a fresh look..
thanks,
bry

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Originally Posted by magirus

I can't help with recovery info, but as a fellow cyclist who has taken a spill or three I wish you good luck for a speedy recovery. Mine says hi . . . ;-)


https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-...-SkcQfXf-M.jpg

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thats what my thigh looked like until recently - i hit the pavement broke some ribs and my knees have never been the same.... still only a month ago so I cannot imagine how long a fractured hip will take.

speedy recovery and don't be afraid to nap and take frequent rests its normal you need to watch the weight too as you won't be so active anymore - eat healthy and after the three months do do as much physio as possible
a lot of people think they feel better so dont bother and go back to work - big mistake

I've torn both patellar tendons separate times in the last 3 years, total nightmare full cast couldn't walk for 3 months each time then 3-9 months rehab to regain quad size and as a bodybuilder that's tough. Full year really for recovery.

Best advice keep your diet tidy so easy to get fat and lazy, and as soon as you can move something move it, my 2nd tear was so much easier with recovery as I knew what I could do.

Keep positive and know that apart from aches when its cold after a year or so you wont even remember it. Just feels bloody awful at the time.

<flippant> How's your bike?

That sounds really nasty. Best wishes and hope you're back riding asap.

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Originally Posted by bry nylon

may i ask, did you ever get any redress from that ? at least the driver did stop in my case and I'm going through the CTC accident route..

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No, I didn't chase it.

No guarantee of insurance as he wasn't a car driver and no lawyer would be interested in a no win no fee deal without the bad guy having guaranteed insurance.