Nervous about everything!

[Lotus4]

I broke my femur in December it’s been a terrible time I feel trapped it’s really working on me not only physically but mentally some days I just want to give up can’t do the things I used to do never will be able too it’s really taken it’s toll on me it’s really hard has anyone ever had this to happen?

[PlanetaryKim]

Very sorry for what you are going through. It's very psychology traumatizing to break any part of leg and become instantly disabled/immobilized and unable to walk or attend to basic daily necessities. I broke my ankle in 3 places a few years ago. It was repaired with 2 plates and 9 screws (which I later chose to have removed). I had a friend who badly broke his femur around same time i broke my ankle. We would see each other at the cast clinic and compare notes. He did get back to normal eventually with a lot of physiotherapy. Even went hiking in the Andes! And my ankle is nearly normal. I can do anything I did before. I restored about 95% range of motion with lots of physiotherapy. Was told to expect no more than 70%. But I aimed for 100% and achieved about 95%.

So the message is: Don't give up! I know how dismal it is to be instantly immobilized. But you will get back to mobility, potentially quite a bit with good physiotherapy guidance. I only saw a physiotherapist a few times. But he set me on the right path of what I needed to do at home every day.

[CDreamer]

Hi and sorry for what you are going through but broken bones heal, as Kim has just said. Are you in physical pain?

I also broke 3 bones in my ankle hill walking and had to be rescued and carried about a mile and half and then had to wait 3 weeks to have it set because it was over the Christmas period, no weight bearing at all for 8 weeks, I know it’s frustrating but worth preserving with immobilisation to ensure good healing. Have you got help and support?

I was walking without crutches in 12 weeks but it took about a year for the soft tissue to heal and that with a lot of physio (essential from as soon as immobilisation is over). I am now more cautious and I still get some pain and stiffness when I’ve overdone things but I can walk without limp and do most things.

This too will pass so just keep on, keeping on a bit longer and you will heal and soon be up and about again.

Best wishes

[Hatten28]

Hello Lotus4, I too have been through a similar experience, just over two years ago I fell and badly broke my hip, this was at the start of the pandemic. Made a good recovery, but approximately three weeks later my hip fractured itself while walking with a frame, to add insult to injury I fell while leaning across my frame, I managed to twist my body to stop from falling on the damaged hip, instead I bruised my back and ribs, very painful.But here I am still alive and making a nuisance of myself at age 82 , yes I regret falling as my life has changed considerably, but I still have a life.

My only advice to you is ,it happened, you will get over it, keep a positive outlook on life, most of all do your exercises to keep your muscles strong, keep smiling and very good luck.

Hatten28

[jedimasterlincoln]

I remember what I was like when I had a mircofracture procedure on my knee and was none weight bearing for 6 weeks. You feel even more trapped than usual!

[captainKFF]

Hi, I had a similar situation getting of a horse, don’t despair, there is light at the end of the tunnel, how did you injure yourself?

[Staffsgirl]

Just to add to what others have said…it feels so awful at the time, and you think you’ll never be mobile again. Hang on in there. I broke my femur in my late sixties, had other health stuff going on, was on crutches for the best part of a year. Never ever, in my wildest dreams at the time, did I think I would walk unaided again, let alone without a limp. I did, and I do. I walk for pleasure several miles at a time. Do your best to be a patient patient. Not easy, I know.

One tip…ensure you get as much physio and rehab as you can. I had to be pushy to get any at all, but did, through sheer determination. Aquatherapy was particularly helpful for me.

[Lizzie0205]

Hello and not my femur but my humerus. Had to wait 9 months for surgery to set it and although I was able to go out I found it hard to go very far as my arm was set in a brace and not a cast and this made my broken bone more unstable. So I get the mental anguish you are experiencing. I watched a lot of Netflix but even that got tiresome , as did reading. I feel for you. It was definitely one of the hardest times in my life. And all you can do is wait it out. I guess you might have tried some new hobbies that are manageable? Best wishes.

[bassets]

Sorry you are feeling so awful but as everyone else has commented, this will pass and you'll be up and about again. Best wishes.

[Cha275rL]

It WILL get better. Just make sure you regularly do the exercises the physio gives you, that’s really important. I broke my kneecap, and had to wear a leg brace for 6 weeks, and thought I’d never be able to go for a walk again, but no problem now. My cousin broke his femur 5 weeks ago, and has a plate in, and he has 2 zimmers, one for up and one for down. Still v painful, but he’s getting there. Don’t give up, you’ll get there.👍