Broken femur- what to expect next?

[Caesar]

Hi,

Very weird you reply exactly now...
I have problems with that leg since the last 2 years (pain on and off as well as higher body temperature as normal).
After visiting 3 orthopedists in Brazil and a few other specialists (eg. infectologist) because of that pain and the heat where the fracture was, I decided to get the rod out of the femur. Only one orthopedist in Fortaleza/Brazil wanted to do it. The others thought they did not have the correct tools to get it out.
To my surprise and big disappointment, when I woke up the Brazilian surgeon told me he could not get it out and only removed the screws. He said he would need to cut the leg into 2 pieces to remove the rod. He took a biopsy which showed a bacterial infection around the fractured bone, a type of bacteria not looked for in previous exams.
I contacted the surgeon who put the rod into the femur in 2008 and he said the rod should come out a.s.a.p. because of the infection.
In previous years surgeons suggested to get the rod out after the healing process but these days they suggest to leave it in there if there are no problems.
So 3 weeks after the operation in Brazil I went back to Australia (a 48 hours VERY painful trip which I wont forget).
The Cairns surgeon removed the rod and last night I arrived in Germany (this time flying in front of the plane in my own suite) where I will stay until the pain is gone.
So, I hope the pain will be gone after a while. The Cairns surgeon asked me not to kite for the next 4 months (and I will follow his advice).

Cheers and all the best to you
Caesar

[Bille]

caesar,

one more thing...don't rush getting off the crutches. from previous injuries, i've known that it's super important to be as symmetrical as possible while walking, etc.

people will rush getting off crutches and then have to compensate and walk with limps. make sure your stride is accurate and the same on both sides.

muscles will learn if you're compensating and it could make it harder to walk without limps. i went to cane for a short time and now walk about 80% of the time with no limps, etc.
...

bob
http://www.kiteridersllc.com

That's some Seriously Good advise !!

I have one of those metal rods on my left Tibia, (the strong bone below the knee)
and never had any problems with it . Walking actually helps the broken bone to heal
faster , but be certain to read --toyletbowl's-- suggestion , one more time.

Bille

[flybykite]

Not first hand experience but my friend had a very nasty spiral break along the entire femur a few years back from doing kite loops and landing hot with one foot in and one out. The femur was in 4 pieces seen on the xray. Multiple plates and dozens of screws. I thought for sure he'd be out of work (kite instructor) and fun for at least a year. 3 months later he was teaching and kiting again, maybe it was 4 months but not more. We were all really surprised! He still has a bit of a limp after a long day but goes strong on the water with the rest of us.
Take the recovery extra serious! Rebuilding the muscle that will likely be lost on that leg is important. Keep the muscle built around the knee to help avoid future damage to it.

[NYKiter]

Might be good to consider dialing it back on the high jumps...is a permanent limp really worth it?

[Craboo]

Almost at 3 months, feel great. Hope to be full weight bearing in the next 10 days and back on the water in the next 20 days. The PT is a huge help and the leg is regaining strength quickly.