Post Op - Fractured Femur Posted: 04-22-07 00:03am
I had surgery to have two screws inserted
into my femur following a mountain biking
accident last week. After the surgery, i
had a fibre back slab to immobilise any
movement on my right leg. My problem is
that after 5 days, i noticed that the back
slab caused a 1 inch by 1 inch abrasion
below my hips. I went back to the doctor
yesterday and after inspecting the wound,
he decided that I would not need to use
the back slab. He prescribed a knee
immobiliser (with adjustable straps) as
the material is more breathable, and
flexible yet rigid.
My questions are:
1. It is a bit too early to be of the
back slab?
2. Is it a good idea to use a knee
immobiliser? Although it is strap on
tightly, when i try to move my hip, i
encounter severe pain.
3. What was your experience with back
slab/cast and how long were you on it?
4. Anyone used the knee immobiliser
before and what is your opinion?
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JuLeen
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 20 Apr 2007 Posts: 8
Posted: 04-22-07 01:10am
First of all you really need to trust that
the surgeon is experienced and will not
prescribe something that will jeopardize
the success of the surgery. Secondly, it
sounds like the reason for making the
change to the brace was to alleviate a
possible pressure sore. Trust me, that is
something that you do not want. The
straps of the brace should be snug, but
not so tight that it is effecting your
circulation. Once a fracture is set the
amount of pain should start to decrease.
You can have muscle spasms or muscle
cramping in the vicinity of the injury /
fracture that they can be extremely
painful. If that is occurring make sure
to speak with your surgeon and they may be
able to prescribe the appropriate
medication.
Good Luck.
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mlady777
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 10 May 2006 Posts: 21 Location: Alaska
Immobilizer Posted: 04-30-07 15:20pm
When I broke my femur the Dr used a rod
inside the leg with a screw in the hip and
two in the knee area. The pins were used
to hold the rod inside the femur in place.
The rod was put there as a stabilizer for
the bone to hold the leg together until
the bone healed. Why did the Dr put the
pins in your knee? Following my surgery,
my Dr gave me a brace similar to the one
you mention but he also told me he didnt
want me to use it. In PT my main goal was
to work on flexibility and range of motion
for the knee. If you wear a brace then
how can you move the knee?
