Broke my Hip almost 3 weeks ago

[Mandie4711]

I broke my hip nearly 3 weeks ago but didn’t need a replacement hip I had metal and screws to repair it. I was already disabled with limited mobility before my fall. I was doing ok slow but steady improvement but still pain and swelling then this week I started physio at home. I can’t do much but tried what I could. I’m struggling a lot with mental and physical recovery as after doing the physio exercises I’ve found my leg hurts more and the inner thigh, groin area is quite painful. It’s not hot to touch or red just hurts a bit more. I don’t know if this pain is normal or not and I do over worry. I am also trying to deal with the news I got yesterday that my son has Cancer so I’m worrying about him so my mind is all over the place now. I just hope someone can help me as my Dr is not at all helpful and waiting to see the Health visitor but is the pain I’m having normal as I’m thinking something is wrong like the repair has gone wrong or I’ve done something wrong . I know it’s early days and as I’m not physically fit anyway I just need help as I’m stressing myself out too much which isn’t helping me with my recovery.

Thanks

[Yellowbluebell]

Hi mandie, did you mean to post on the pmr/gca forum as you seem active on others rather than here. Do you take prednisolone? I suspect your pain is just from exercising your recently strained muscles from the op. You do need to see your doctor though just to check. Could you see another gp in the practice? YBB

[SheffieldJane]

I am so sorry that you have this news about your son, on top of being in so much pain. Do you have a PMR diagnosis? 🌸

[PMRpro Ambassador]

You need to get a medical opinion on the pain but I doubt many of us can help you as this is the PMR and GCA forum and as far as I can see you don't have either?

[Mandie4711]

Sorry everyone looks like I accidentally posted on wrong site

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Mandie4711]

That's OK - just sorry we can't really help! Get well soon.

[DoverSole]

If you are still looking at this post, groin pain is very common with a hip fracture. Hip pain from arthritis or a fracture is commonly felt in the groin. It sounds as though you had a hip screw or nail, the method of fixation is dependant on the type of fracture you had. It is most likely that this pain is normal post operative pain. Often when you start to feel better you do more but the pain then gets worse, esp the day after pushing yourself..

As advised the best way to be sure of this is to get a professional opinion. This is best obtained from the team that did your operation rather than a GP.

Also, are you taking the pain killers you were given? Some people stop taking them a bit early due to side effects. Pain killers need to be taken regularly to be properly effective.

I would contact the hospital who operated on you to discuss the pain and symptoms and take it from there.

Good luck,

D. S

[Mandie4711 in reply to DoverSole]

Thank you D.S,

Your answer has been very helpful to me. I will get it checked out but I do think I over did things. Trying to run before I could walk is my problem. The only pain killers I was on is Paracetamol 4 x a day and yes I did cut them down to 2 a day. I just felt that by now I should be able to do more but as I’m disabled anyway it’s just a case of getting a little more stable and being able to dress myself and generally being able to make a cup of Tea as that’s all I basically could do before my fall. I do feel under pressure from my husband as I know he has to return to work but I don’t feel safe yet being left on my own. Hopefully over the next week I will see improvements otherwise I’m not sure how I will cope on my own.

Thank you for replying to me as I posted on wrong page as I find it hard finding the correct site.

Mandie

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Mandie4711]

Just to add to DoverSole's comment - all painkillers work more effectively when you don't allow the pain to return in the first place and use them regularly, even if you think you don't need them yet.

And recovery after surgery is variable - but after 3 weeks I wouldn't expect too much after such a big intervention, This is a useful timeline - but notice that at 3 to 6 weeks all the comments have the qualifier "MAY" and it all depends on YOU, not what someone else may manage.

webmd.com/osteoarthritis/ti...

It is easy to say - but resist the man's pressure, trying to rush will make it even slower.

I broke my leg and had to have it pinned - it was a couple of months before I felt safe to do anything more than make that cup of tea and I was physically fit before (I did it skiing) and only 41! I had the kettle and all the rest together with a jug of water that was all reachable in small moves from where I sat to drink it - we had a large kitchen/conservatory living area which did make it easier to manouevre a small trolley to move things around - I pushed it as far as I could in the direction I was going and then followed behind on crutches. Rinse and repeat. Very effective ...

[DoverSole]

No problem, you stumbled on an area I know a bit about.

Paracetamol will definitely work better 4 x a day.

3 weeks after surgery is a little early to expect to feel anywhere near back to normal. I think you are expecting too much too soon.

Please do speak to your team that operated on you though because they know you and are best placed to give you accurate advice.

Good luck

D. S.