OH CRAP !

[Maddevill]

Well, 2023 hasn't started out too great for me. After my tibia plateau fracture back in 2021, my knee was just starting to get back to the point where I could get my foot properly back on the peg. I was even kinda considering trying a track day after years. Also my little riding group was finally starting to come together up here.

Well, wife had to fly to Vegas and we had a pretty major snowstorm. The poor dogs were cooped up for days so, on Sunday, I decided to take them on a short walk. I planned on being careful. Put on my Sorel boots and headed out.

Got just past the neighbors and discovered that there was a layer of ice under the fresh snow. Left foot slipped and I guess I kinda rotated. I actually heard a loud POP as I went down. Pain wasn't too terrible but now the lower half of my left leg was sticking out almost sideways. First thing was straighten out the leg. Kinda weird, the bottom half didn't feel like it was attached anymore

Next was to start yelling. Remember I live in a very rural area in the mountains. I guess I was incredibly lucky that my neighbor, who's gate I was sitting in front of, had decided to take the day off because of the storm. He came out, ran down to my house, gathered up some stuff and put the dogs away and got my Yukon out. He drove me down to the hospital in Redding.

Final score I had snapped my femur just above the knee. The fact that my thigh muscles and quads were still not fully recovered from last time probably were part of why the bone broke.

So another long recovery ahead, my 3rd in 3 years. Wife is still gone so I'm trying to handle everything myself. It's very frustrating. I had big plans for the spring and summer.

Anyway, thanks for letting me vent.

Mad

 

[LowerRPMs]

Yikes!!! I am so sorry to hear this, and I hope you heal up as quickly as possible. Thank God your neighbor was around.

 

[DucatiHoney]

Wowzahs...that's no fun! I'm a little concerned that a fall while walking was enough to snap a big bone like a femur, even with a history of accidents in that region. I'm not going to pretend I'm any sort of authority on the subject, but that just doesn't sound right. Hope it heals up quickly and thoroughly, and that you were just the unfortunate recipient of physics working against you...

 

[cg_ops]

So sorry to hear this... my shattered femur wasn't much less painful than severing my arm. The femur is one of the worst bones to break.

If it might be of any help, I noticed a moderate drop in pain and clicking in the (shattered) knee after about 2 months of taking fish oil, glucosamine, and chondroitin. After 4 months of taking them I stopped and within a few weeks noticed a slight return of discomfort. Got back on them and it helped again. Stopped 6 months later and didn't notice a difference in pain/discomfort. So, in my anecdotal experience, they help during the healing period but might not have much/any benefit after the area stabilizes.

Glucosamine helps develop other chemicals to maintain/heal soft tissues
(Quality)Fish oils are high in mega-3 fatty acids and aid in bone growth and maintenance

I'm not a homeopathic fan in general, however, that said, I do feel that supplements can... supplement the nutrients, minerals, and chemicals that are lacking in an otherwise mediocre/poor diet. You can probably get similar results from a stellar diet but, unfortunately, that's basically a rich person's luxury these days. To eat super healthy requires discipline, good cooking habits, and a lot of trips to the store since those foods expire in just a couple/few days.

 

[budman]

That sucks Mad. So sorry to hear about this.

Hope things can be overcome.

 

[berth]

Good heavens. Walking the dog and breaking a femur.

Reminds me of a friend long ago. Was a great skier, hadn't been in some time. Finally got to go to Utah, Park City. 3rd run, waiting in line, he just fell over and broke his knee in 3 places. I mean, you'd expect that if you were the Wide World of Sports guy careening down the ski jump. But, no. Whoopsie! *POP*

So sorry to hear this. Get better soon.

 

[easy wind]

Icy crap! That sucks. Hopefully a clean break outside the joint that heals quicker than the pesky plateau. Likely some femur de-mineralization due to past injury and recovery, the healing callous will strengthen it. Ask about a bone stimulator for home use esp if not mending well after immobilization/cast. Your PT will help the knee again in a few weeks. Perhaps those nerdy hiking poles when ya get back out there with the dog, just for backup. G'Luck!

 

[Jbella]

Wowzahs...that's no fun! I'm a little concerned that a fall while walking was enough to snap a big bone like a femur, even with a history of accidents in that region. I'm not going to pretend I'm any sort of authority on the subject, but that just doesn't sound right.

Heather's (DucatiHoney) observation is very savvy. Easily broken bones can be a SYMPTOM of something else (ask any woman over 55 about osteoporosis). If for no other reason than piece of mind you should see your doctor and tell him/her about your recent episodes.

Take care.

 

[WoodsChick]

Ugh!! I can only imagine your frustration I'm really sorry you're having to deal with this. Will there be surgery? Or just a cast? I hope your wife is going to be home soon. Dealing with this is a total drag when you actually have help. I can't imagine how difficult it must be trying to do it on your own! Sending healing vibes and wishes for a quick and complete recovery! And, yes...hiking poles and snow shoes!

 

[greenmonster]

Wow, sorry to hear of your situation, especially when you were just on the cusp of recovery from another injury,

Kinda does sound weird to break your femur in that fashion. I just Googled "femur" - it's the largest bone in the body and can support up to 30 times the weight of your body.

I'm wondering if something might be going on with bone density as Jbella suggested. Or it's the thigh and quad muscles being weak as you mentioned.

Keep us up to date

 

[Maddevill]

Thanks for all the information. I just turned 65 and am sure I've lost bone density. Like I said, the supporting large muscles on that leg were underdeveloped so that could also be a factor. I agree it seemed to be a strange way to break a femur and I was worried about it possible being bone cancer. But the doctor said everything looked ok. Knee joint itself and ligaments all complete and attached. After the initial part of just not moving it, I'm going to talk to him about supplements and my rehab program. My goal is to kick ass in rehab. Right now there is a nice piece of steel in there. Basically the ball at the knee joint broke off.

Ill keep everyone posted.

Mad

 

[ctwo]

Steel? I think Conor McGregor has a titanium rod, and some think that will give him an advantage. May you never injure your leg again.

 

[bikeama]

Hope you heal quick. Summer is coming, but may be later than normal in the Sierra. Hope you are riding by the time the passes open.

 

[Maddevill]

So sorry to hear this... my shattered femur wasn't much less painful than severing my arm. The femur is one of the worst bones to break.

If it might be of any help, I noticed a moderate drop in pain and clicking in the (shattered) knee after about 2 months of taking fish oil, glucosamine, and chondroitin. After 4 months of taking them I stopped and within a few weeks noticed a slight return of discomfort. Got back on them and it helped again. Stopped 6 months later and didn't notice a difference in pain/discomfort. So, in my anecdotal experience, they help during the healing period but might not have much/any benefit after the area stabilizes.

Glucosamine helps develop other chemicals to maintain/heal soft tissues
(Quality)Fish oils are high in mega-3 fatty acids and aid in bone growth and maintenance

I'm not a homeopathic fan in general, however, that said, I do feel that supplements can... supplement the nutrients, minerals, and chemicals that are lacking in an otherwise mediocre/poor diet. You can probably get similar results from a stellar diet but, unfortunately, that's basically a rich person's luxury these days. To eat super healthy requires discipline, good cooking habits, and a lot of trips to the store since those foods expire in just a couple/few days.

Can you give me the names of the supplements you used.
? Specifically brands. I definitely want to do everything I can to support the area.

Mad

 

[tzrider]

Mad, this won't be of much use until next winter, but you might be interested in Korkers' Polar Vortex boots. They're warm, easy to put on and take off and have replaceable soles. They come with two sets, one of which has ice studs embedded in them. Would be very good insurance in the situation you were in.

I got a pair last year and absolutely love them in the snow.

 

[DucatiHoney]

Good on you for getting a more thorough checking out. I didn't want to drop the C-word on you while you're trying to get through a broken leg, but yeah, that's what I was thinking. Bummer that you have a broken leg for any reason, but I'm relieved to hear that there aren't underlying causes.

Heal up fast!

 

[thepretender]

Trying to walk the dog this morning almost slipped twice a adventure in pain given my broken ribs. I've decided I hate snow LOL

Do your best to heal up get better all all that stuff.

 

[greenmonster]

I decided snow sucks years ago and have avoided it ever since. To those that enjoy snow my hat is off to you, just not for me

 

[abithewannabee]

Thanks for all the information. I just turned 65 and am sure I've lost bone density. Like I said, the supporting large muscles on that leg were underdeveloped so that could also be a factor. I agree it seemed to be a strange way to break a femur and I was worried about it possible being bone cancer. But the doctor said everything looked ok. Knee joint itself and ligaments all complete and attached. After the initial part of just not moving it, I'm going to talk to him about supplements and my rehab program. My goal is to kick ass in rehab. Right now there is a nice piece of steel in there. Basically the ball at the knee joint broke off.

Ill keep everyone posted.

Mad

Can I ask if it was a spiral fracture? sounds like you twisted and fell.
You definitely have lower bone density in that leg since you have walked on it less due to the plateau fracture and muscle loss, but bones are actually quite weak in torsion. People much younger if twisted the right way will break even a bone as strong as femur. Did you get a rod in the leg or a plate on the side?

In terms of supplements all the vitamin D, calcium, chondroitin, glucosamine are good, but keep your general nutrition up, in other words, not a great idea to lose weight after surgery.

Bone, specifically femurs and tibias react to weight bearing, tension and compression. Good idea to keep the knee range of motion up, you've already unfortunately had a round of this already so you know the drill, hope the healing is fast.

 

[Maddevill]

I'm not sure what kind of fracture it was. I did spin to my left on the way down and it's the left leg. It basically snapped the ball off the femur where it sits on the knee joint. I already have a side plate on the tibia from where the dog ran me down in 2020. This time they put a rod into the bone. I'm going to set off metal detectors for miles. I am going to try to really hammer the rehab. I understand it's hard to build muscle at my age but I need to make that leg stronger. I have a mountain bike and plan on riding the crap out of it as soon as I'm able.

Mad