Break2
junior member
Hello everyone,
I’ve been reading posts on this forum and decided to join in the hope that shared experience will help me learn to manage my pain. I first broke my hip in an accident in Mexico in 2004. After 2 unsuccessful surgeries in 2004 and 2005, I underwent total hip replacement in 2006 and felt miraculously healed the moment I woke up in recovery. For 12 years I was able to live a full pain free life with the ability to do everything I wanted to do physically, except running and jumping, which I have no desire to do anyway.
On January 9, 2018, I slipped on black ice and fell directly on my left hip prosthesis, causing the shaft to move and suffered 4 fractures in my left femur and hip. I spent 2 days in the local hospital and was moved to Baltimore, Maryland for surgery on January 11, 2018. I received a new ceramic head ball, a new stem, a nice claw plate on the trochanter fractures, and 9 cables to hold it all in place to promote healing.
Since I’ve had experience with hip surgeries, I felt prepared for recovery this time. Doctor said it will be a lot of pain and that I can have the claw plate and cables removed at 8 to 12 months postop. There is evidence of healing on follow up X-rays, so I just have to be patient and take care of myself. It was feeling better every day, then plateaued around 8 weeks, then got progressively worse as I became more active and bursitis and tendinitis kicked in as a result of the claw plate and cables. I’ve had 2 steroid injections in the hip and thigh, which were helpful, but I still have what feels like sciatic pain with swelling. I have a short leg and need a heel lift to improve my gait. Doc says these hips of ours are adjustable and he will correct leg length issues when he does the hardware removal.
I do my own PT and still use ice daily. I’ve been taking oxycodone and Tylenol for pain relief. I am unable to work regularly and it is hurting my business (which I am the owner). Now, due to the supposed “opioid epidemic” in the USA, I am on my last prescription for oxycodone and have to find a new way to manage my pain until September when the source of my pain will be removed. How am I supposed to handle the pain without meds when I am only able to take care of my basic daily needs with meds? I am being referred to “pain management” by my surgeon and do not know what to expect.
In addition to my home therapy, I get a full body massage once a week and my yoga instructor is teaching me a home restorative program.
Does anyone know how many steroid injections it is safe to receive? I think if I could get one in my sciatic area I could manage the pain without narcotic pain meds. I don’t know how people manage chronic pain. This has been enlightening for me. It’s frustrating and depressing.
Good news is doc says I have good bones and this was just a horrible injury. I will never laugh at ice fall videos again. It is not funny.
Sorry for the long introduction. I’ve been holding everything in for a long time. Feels good to get it out, even if you all think I am crazy. Thank you for listening. I’ve added a pic of my new hip for reference.
I’ve been reading posts on this forum and decided to join in the hope that shared experience will help me learn to manage my pain. I first broke my hip in an accident in Mexico in 2004. After 2 unsuccessful surgeries in 2004 and 2005, I underwent total hip replacement in 2006 and felt miraculously healed the moment I woke up in recovery. For 12 years I was able to live a full pain free life with the ability to do everything I wanted to do physically, except running and jumping, which I have no desire to do anyway.
On January 9, 2018, I slipped on black ice and fell directly on my left hip prosthesis, causing the shaft to move and suffered 4 fractures in my left femur and hip. I spent 2 days in the local hospital and was moved to Baltimore, Maryland for surgery on January 11, 2018. I received a new ceramic head ball, a new stem, a nice claw plate on the trochanter fractures, and 9 cables to hold it all in place to promote healing.
Since I’ve had experience with hip surgeries, I felt prepared for recovery this time. Doctor said it will be a lot of pain and that I can have the claw plate and cables removed at 8 to 12 months postop. There is evidence of healing on follow up X-rays, so I just have to be patient and take care of myself. It was feeling better every day, then plateaued around 8 weeks, then got progressively worse as I became more active and bursitis and tendinitis kicked in as a result of the claw plate and cables. I’ve had 2 steroid injections in the hip and thigh, which were helpful, but I still have what feels like sciatic pain with swelling. I have a short leg and need a heel lift to improve my gait. Doc says these hips of ours are adjustable and he will correct leg length issues when he does the hardware removal.
I do my own PT and still use ice daily. I’ve been taking oxycodone and Tylenol for pain relief. I am unable to work regularly and it is hurting my business (which I am the owner). Now, due to the supposed “opioid epidemic” in the USA, I am on my last prescription for oxycodone and have to find a new way to manage my pain until September when the source of my pain will be removed. How am I supposed to handle the pain without meds when I am only able to take care of my basic daily needs with meds? I am being referred to “pain management” by my surgeon and do not know what to expect.
In addition to my home therapy, I get a full body massage once a week and my yoga instructor is teaching me a home restorative program.
Does anyone know how many steroid injections it is safe to receive? I think if I could get one in my sciatic area I could manage the pain without narcotic pain meds. I don’t know how people manage chronic pain. This has been enlightening for me. It’s frustrating and depressing.
Good news is doc says I have good bones and this was just a horrible injury. I will never laugh at ice fall videos again. It is not funny.
Sorry for the long introduction. I’ve been holding everything in for a long time. Feels good to get it out, even if you all think I am crazy. Thank you for listening. I’ve added a pic of my new hip for reference.