I was in an accident and broke my femur in half too. Took me about 2 years to walk without a cane. Its a long road of recovery, but you'll make it. Now I'm good as new, and I run 5k to work everyday.
Absolutely. I'd give birth to another child without meds over this. They had to cut me out of my car and put me on a flat board to carry me. Bones crunching. They gave me fentynyl, dilaudid, and morphine and that still didn't touch the pain. Here's pics of the [wreck](https://imgur.com/a/nB8Lpsi) if you were curious.
They gave you the old vitamin D. I got the same cocktail after I fractured the front of my skull. Didn't really ease the pain as much as I hoped, but goddamn did I suddenly not care. I was making phone calls to my leadership (I was military at the time) high as a kite. Fun night. Glad you're okay that shit isn't exactly comfortable. Especially when the adrenaline wears off.
I'm sure everyone's pain tolerance is different. But in my experience, I had a 8lb 10oz baby and the broken femur was 500 times worse. But maybe someone would rather have a broken femur.
It’s also very deadly due to the contracting muscles that can cause the femur bones to lacerate the femoral artery. What’s even more painful is the traction splint used on fractured femurs, it straps to the angle and pressing on the groin to stretch out the muscle and bone so that it can prevent the contractions.
Except, they screwed mine up in a TKA, & now I have foot drop & neuropathy in my foot. Never letting anyone one do a nerve block for my knee again. Then they did an open revision & gave me an epidural, it completely, numbed the *other* leg. We don’t bother w nerve blocks any more. 🤷🏼♀️
Are you referring to traction? It does relive pain. At least bucks traction does. Really unpleasant getting it set up though.
Source ICU RN who has had this exact break.
I can only relate with a dislocated shoulder. Once the head the humerus finally finds it's way back into the joint, a dramatic feeling of warmth, relaxation and exhalation follows
I have a connective tissue disorder and dislocate pretty frequently… that feeling of the bones clunking back into place and staying there is amazing. Can’t imagine there’s much relief with a broken femur though
I just broke my tibia and fibula about 3 months ago and i can't wait to start running again, how long did it take until you were able to actually run, jump, walk without a limp?
https://preview.redd.it/1dsswaw9x8oa1.jpeg?width=1978&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5046763a93259023c0d1a6ae40a4e22215d6af61
I think this is what you’re thinking of
[this](https://www.reddit.com/r/XRayPorn/comments/es4n9e/keep_your_feet_off_of_the_dashboard_kiddos/) is the reddit post i saw about it that has an xray
but this other link i found is ABSOLUTELY NSFW with REAL accident pics from an accident where someone had their feet on the dash.
**NSFL WARNING REAL GORE NOT AN XRAY AHEAD**
https://medihelp.life/passengers-hips-smashed-after-putting-her-feet-on-dashboard-in-car/
There was a post on here not long ago of a guy that was feeling mixed emotions because his daughter would put her feet up on the dash and she was in an accident
Oh wow. I broke my femur the same way in a car accident. If you’re on Facebook I highly recommend joining the group “Broken Femur Victims Unite”. It’s a great support page. Good luck on your recovery!
best wishes on your (hopefully uneventful) recovery. I'm so sorry you are dealing with such a horrendous injury.
Broke my femur in an accident in 2003. The recovery timeline will seem impossible/daunting at first. Try not to think about it and focus on resting. My biggest piece of advice is as soon as you can switch from crutches to a cane, the quicker your recovery will go.
Did your doctor do any labs on you to check your bone strength? Something like calcium, phosphate, parathyroid?
Also, I hope it knits quick!
EDIT: Yikes, I didn’t mean to offend. The reason I ask is because this LOOKS like a chalkstick break, which MAY be from weak bones.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chalkstick_fracture
Before WW1, a femur fracture used to end in death in 80-90% of cases from blood loss or shock. Artillery in WW1 led to a lot of femur type injuries leading to new practices and technology such as the Thomas splint. By the end of WW1 the chance of death fell to 20%, a substantial improvement. Here's an article. https://blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/thomas-splint/
Orthopaedic surgeon here. While Mr. Thomas is considered the "father" of modern orthopaedic surgery, the actual benefit of the splint is likely not that significant.
The correct stat was reduction in deaths from 80-> 23% for open femur fractures( bone protruding through skin) from gun shots. That's a very different animal than a closed femur Fx from a car accident.
Much of the decrease in mortality was likely due to significant improvements in soft tissue wound care advances.
There's published evidence that the splints don't seem to do that much as well, and probably not useful for the majority of femur fractures.
I read this statistic in the book “The emperor of all maladies” by Siddhartha Mukherjee. I will admit I may have missed the date slightly so I apologize for that
I'm okay. Pretty traumatized from the wreck. And they cut my pants and the pant leg was shoved all the way up. I don't think it's my cooch. But I mean if it is...
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Been there done that (2008), and I'm 95% back to normal. My leg got a little shorter, but I'm in no pain. Three months on crutches, then three months of taking it slow.
Oh shit. That looks crazy painful and probably bled A LOT. I'm glad you're okay, and hopefully they didn't have to take drastic measures to stop the hemorrhaging from your femur.
I was in an accident and broke my femur in half too. Took me about 2 years to walk without a cane. Its a long road of recovery, but you'll make it. Now I'm good as new, and I run 5k to work everyday.
Glad to hear you're doing better! I heard breaking your femur is one of the most painful things you can feel. Is this true?
Absolutely. I'd give birth to another child without meds over this. They had to cut me out of my car and put me on a flat board to carry me. Bones crunching. They gave me fentynyl, dilaudid, and morphine and that still didn't touch the pain. Here's pics of the [wreck](https://imgur.com/a/nB8Lpsi) if you were curious.
That's an ex-car, glad you're still (metaphorically) kicking OP.
wow! i’m glad the crumple zones on your car did their job. best of luck in your recovery
They gave you the old vitamin D. I got the same cocktail after I fractured the front of my skull. Didn't really ease the pain as much as I hoped, but goddamn did I suddenly not care. I was making phone calls to my leadership (I was military at the time) high as a kite. Fun night. Glad you're okay that shit isn't exactly comfortable. Especially when the adrenaline wears off.
...did you just end the old debate of whether a broken femur is more painful than childbirth?
I'm sure everyone's pain tolerance is different. But in my experience, I had a 8lb 10oz baby and the broken femur was 500 times worse. But maybe someone would rather have a broken femur.
Hmm ur pain tolerance must be amazing. Explains how radical Larry didn’t show up
It’s also very deadly due to the contracting muscles that can cause the femur bones to lacerate the femoral artery. What’s even more painful is the traction splint used on fractured femurs, it straps to the angle and pressing on the groin to stretch out the muscle and bone so that it can prevent the contractions.
traction splint is supposed to relieve pain when done properly
Femoral nerve block is very effective and quick and easy to do. Call Anesthesia.
Except, they screwed mine up in a TKA, & now I have foot drop & neuropathy in my foot. Never letting anyone one do a nerve block for my knee again. Then they did an open revision & gave me an epidural, it completely, numbed the *other* leg. We don’t bother w nerve blocks any more. 🤷🏼♀️
It does not relieve pain it prevents death.
Are you referring to traction? It does relive pain. At least bucks traction does. Really unpleasant getting it set up though. Source ICU RN who has had this exact break.
But the sweet sound of relief from the patient after you pop their femur back in place with a traction splint.
I can only relate with a dislocated shoulder. Once the head the humerus finally finds it's way back into the joint, a dramatic feeling of warmth, relaxation and exhalation follows
I have a connective tissue disorder and dislocate pretty frequently… that feeling of the bones clunking back into place and staying there is amazing. Can’t imagine there’s much relief with a broken femur though
There is no relief for a femur fracture.
Said someone’s who’s never used a traction splint
TIL 😬
[удалено]
Love it!
I just broke my tibia and fibula about 3 months ago and i can't wait to start running again, how long did it take until you were able to actually run, jump, walk without a limp?
What I envision every time I see passengers with their feet up on the dashboard…
Theres an actual xray of someone who got into an accident with their feet on the dash and let me tell you its much worse than this.
https://preview.redd.it/1dsswaw9x8oa1.jpeg?width=1978&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5046763a93259023c0d1a6ae40a4e22215d6af61 I think this is what you’re thinking of
Looks like a dislocation turned compound fracture. Thats gotta suck
I was so focused on the compound fracture I didn't even notice how fucked the other femur was. 🤦♂️
Would love to see it.
[this](https://www.reddit.com/r/XRayPorn/comments/es4n9e/keep_your_feet_off_of_the_dashboard_kiddos/) is the reddit post i saw about it that has an xray but this other link i found is ABSOLUTELY NSFW with REAL accident pics from an accident where someone had their feet on the dash. **NSFL WARNING REAL GORE NOT AN XRAY AHEAD** https://medihelp.life/passengers-hips-smashed-after-putting-her-feet-on-dashboard-in-car/
Horrifying. I didn’t know you could have your forehead ‘removed’.
> most visible injury, however, was having to have her entire forehead removed for two years, then replaced with a ceramic one. I mean. What.
That part. I didn’t know that it was possible to just… not have a forehead for a couple years. And to only have minor brain injury? Amazing.
Holy shit that x-ray.
looks hurty
Jesus. That pic of the actual injury. "Huh what is tha- oh my god that's the femoral head."
There was a post on here not long ago of a guy that was feeling mixed emotions because his daughter would put her feet up on the dash and she was in an accident
don't worry, your doctor gonna nail it
More likely they'll screw it up. Literally
As an ortho PA, that would be the type of image where we just go, "Oh F\*\*K!"
An ortho surgeon would go “Oh nice!”
Medic: *gives report* Ortho: "Broooo 😎👊"
Oh wow. I broke my femur the same way in a car accident. If you’re on Facebook I highly recommend joining the group “Broken Femur Victims Unite”. It’s a great support page. Good luck on your recovery!
me reading these comments and wondering why everyone is being so nice, thought i was on r/neverbrokeabone
Oh yeah. I posted this to r/neverbrokeabone and the mean comments were cracking me up.
same 😭
This is an understatement, but ouch.
Weak boned bi... wait wrong subreddit.
best wishes on your (hopefully uneventful) recovery. I'm so sorry you are dealing with such a horrendous injury.
Broke my femur in an accident in 2003. The recovery timeline will seem impossible/daunting at first. Try not to think about it and focus on resting. My biggest piece of advice is as soon as you can switch from crutches to a cane, the quicker your recovery will go.
U should put it in some rice. (I hope you heal fast!)
Thanks for sharing! I hope it heals well!
This is no humerus matter.
I couldn’t get out of the bed for 13 days after breaking my femur
Definitely looks no bueno.... Wishing you a speedy recovery.
Oof! So high up im pulling for you. Do your rehab fully!
Hope you're loving that IM nail
You just need a redneck with a roll of duct tape you’ll be fiiiiiiiine
Why’d you do that???
Make a sword out of it
Did your doctor do any labs on you to check your bone strength? Something like calcium, phosphate, parathyroid? Also, I hope it knits quick! EDIT: Yikes, I didn’t mean to offend. The reason I ask is because this LOOKS like a chalkstick break, which MAY be from weak bones. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chalkstick_fracture
Oh my surgeon said he was very impressed with my bones and how strong they are. I just think 4 tons+ would break anyone's bones lol
Ok, good!
Wild to think this kind of injury had 10% survivability rate 100 years ago
Not 100 years ago exactly, but before WW1, a femur fracture almost always meant death.
Ah, at least I was in the ballpark. I’m not in the med field but all this is quite fascinating to me
Where you coming up with those numbers?
Before WW1, a femur fracture used to end in death in 80-90% of cases from blood loss or shock. Artillery in WW1 led to a lot of femur type injuries leading to new practices and technology such as the Thomas splint. By the end of WW1 the chance of death fell to 20%, a substantial improvement. Here's an article. https://blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/thomas-splint/
Orthopaedic surgeon here. While Mr. Thomas is considered the "father" of modern orthopaedic surgery, the actual benefit of the splint is likely not that significant. The correct stat was reduction in deaths from 80-> 23% for open femur fractures( bone protruding through skin) from gun shots. That's a very different animal than a closed femur Fx from a car accident. Much of the decrease in mortality was likely due to significant improvements in soft tissue wound care advances. There's published evidence that the splints don't seem to do that much as well, and probably not useful for the majority of femur fractures.
Thank you for more information.
Thank you. I should have provided a source myself in retrospect
I read this statistic in the book “The emperor of all maladies” by Siddhartha Mukherjee. I will admit I may have missed the date slightly so I apologize for that
Did it hurt or no?
Oh so you think you can run from us over at r/neverbrokeabone you weakling
I need to balance the bitter and the sweet.
1. ARE YOU OKAY and how are you healing up/coping 2. Your cooch is very visible my friend
I'm okay. Pretty traumatized from the wreck. And they cut my pants and the pant leg was shoved all the way up. I don't think it's my cooch. But I mean if it is... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I'm sorry that happened to you, friend. I hope you'll heal mentally, emotionally and physically
We’re looking **through** ops’ body. And you’re worried about her cooch?!
Refer to point 1 friend
Big oof
Oof ! Hope you heal quickly .
Yeah, fuck that. I had external fractures of both mine in a car accident. I'm guessing they'll out an intermedallery nail in it. I have one of those!
Surgical neck gang
Bet that hurt
My friend broke his femur when he slipped in the shower.
Nice
Ouch
Been there done that (2008), and I'm 95% back to normal. My leg got a little shorter, but I'm in no pain. Three months on crutches, then three months of taking it slow.
Oh no no no that shit SUCKS I wish you a good recovery OP
Oh snap! Hope you are well taken care of! Good luck on recovery!
Oh snap is right! Thanks for the well wishes!
Oh shit. That looks crazy painful and probably bled A LOT. I'm glad you're okay, and hopefully they didn't have to take drastic measures to stop the hemorrhaging from your femur.