Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Very frustrated that I might have a fractured hip

I had a bad fall last March, while I was away at school. My right hip was very painful afterwards and an x-ray showed that the ball of the joint had been pushed into the socket, narrowing the gap and compressing the ligaments. It took weeks to improve. Months later the pain returned and continued to get worse through Xmas despite rest etc. The doc is sending me for a cat scan because he suspects an intertrochanteric fracture that didn't show up on the x-ray. My biggest worry, if that turns out to be the problem, is why didn't it heal.

((HUGS))) Wendy.....hope you get some relief and answers soon

Sherri

Hi Wendy,

I am so sorry your having such problems. I would think if it is fractured it would never heal without a hip replacement. I can't imagine you walking on a fractured hip for this length of time, but it has been known to happen. I remember working in the ER one week and we had 3 women admitted with terrible hip pain, and they all had fractured hips without even falling.

I hope you get some answers very soon.

Hugs,
Janet

That's what I'm afraid if. If it hasn't healed in nearly a year, I may need a hip replacement. Very scary.

Hi Wendy,
Most hip fractures would actually heal without surgery, but the problem is that the patient would be in bed for eight to 12 weeks. Doctors have learned over the years that placing an aging adult in bed for this period of time has a far greater risk of creating serious complications than the surgery required to fix a broken hip. This is the main reason that surgery is recommended to nearly all patients with fractured hips. Having arthritis would also put you at a terrible risk to leave you on bedrest for twelve weeks. You are a fighter and you will do well if you need surgery. We are all such fighter's

Hugs,
Janet

Any thoughts on why it didn't heal over the last ten months? I wondered if my meds (methotrexate) were a factor by delaying healing.

Hi Wendy, I am so sorry for these problems. You know my sternum didn't heal after my heart surgery a couple of years ago. The dr. told me before that was his concern because of disease and so many steroids. I am afraid to have back surgery because of these problems.

I have been thinking of you a lot.

Hugs.
Joyce

Hi Wendy,

Were you on strict bedrest? I bet you were not. The prednisone wouldhave a big impact on softtening the bones, and the healing .

Janet

Does your sternum continue to give you pain, Possi?

I'm sorry I haven't been around much. I think of you all often but my PhD studies, combined with work and grandchildren are keeping me very busy.

You're right. I wasn't on bed rest because the x-ray didn't show a break. And I was on prednisone for about two years although I'd been off it for approx a year before I fell.