I broke my femur about 4 weeks ago when a
four wheeler landed on my leg and i had a
titanium rod placed in my left leg. I
haven't really been doing much but on the
computer a lot and crutching a little bit.
I was wondering if it is okay if my left
foot is swollen, the veins are kind of
popping out on it and my foot is red. is
that normal or do I have some kind of
problem with my leg cutting off
circulation? also i was wondering if its
natural that i cannot stretch out my leg
strait because it is swollen also... I
also want to know if it's okay to put any
kind of weight on it before 6 weeks i'm
only 17 so it should heal fast.
EDIT: I wanted to add something also that
I cannot sleep I stay up all night unless
I take sleeping medication or something
called clonidine. Is that normal aswell or
is it because I have too much energy from
not doing much physical activities?
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yogahoneybunny
Supporter
Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 880 Location: Strumica, Macedonia
Thanks: 4
Thanked:0
Posted: 07-23-07 09:41am
Poor you!
I totally empathize. To help control
swelling (which seems pretty normal in
such a sever case of injury), you can lay
on the ground and put your legs in a chair
or a bed above you. If you're really
adventurous, you can put them up a wall.
Try to wait 15-20 minutes, and then gently
drop your feet to the side. Lay there for
another 2-3 minutes in the fetus position.
If you do this 2-3 times a day, you'll
reverse the blood flow and perhaps reduce
swelling. Ice packs help, too.
GOOD LUCK!
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mlady777
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 10 May 2006 Posts: 21 Location: Alaska
Hey Posted: 07-25-07 02:30am
I Too broke my left femur in a 4 wheeler
accident. It was a year ago April. I
have returned to all of my previous
activities. Actually, tonight I was
playing softball with a 10 year old and he
couldn't keep up with me playing catch. I
am a 55 year old female hairdresser. My
break was a spiral and I spent 3 days in
the hospital. 6 weeks at home in a wheel
chair doing nothing more than my physical
therapy at least 3-4 times a day. I
really was determined not to be a gimp
when I returned to work. Your recovery is
up to you. Do what your Dr tells you and
stretch your PT as hard as you can stand
it. No pain no gain with in limits. You
were stupid enough to be were you are.
Now be smart and recover. I was at 25%
body weight at 6 wks, and at 10 wks I was
at 100% but I was using a cane when I was
walking a lot. Just do what you can and
push a little beyond your comfort zone.
Good luck.
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mlady777
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 10 May 2006 Posts: 21 Location: Alaska
Stretch Posted: 07-25-07 02:45am
Sorry, I didn't answer your main
questions. Sweeling is what is causing
the redness. Elevate and drink plenty of
fluids. You can't stretch out because you
are not making yourself do your PT. Do
you want to recover? You have to take
responsibility for how you come out of
this. There are excersise's that will
help you fully extend and there are
excersises that can help you get your heel
right up to your butt. Trust me, I can
do both. Here's a challenge for you. My
Grandmother at age 98 broke her femur and
4 months later was up and walking with
full range of motion. I was 54 when I
broke my femur and now a year later, I
ride my 4 wheeler 20+ miles and I live in
Alaska. Trust me, I am not riding on
groomed trails. Buck up and feel the
pull. Tomorrow, it won't hurt so then you
push harder and feel the pull.
