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outsideplaying

The Hospital and Yes I broke My Hip

Yes, I broke mine yesterday morning, had surgery at 4 pm and am still in the hospital. I was at my usual Tuesday morning volunteer gig at the botanical garden greenhouses. Several of us were planning to clean out and organize what we call the ’pot barn’ which is an open air storage area for various size plastic pots. Someone had propped a tabletop-type piece against the entry and I tripped on it. I caught the toe of my left foot on it and it sort of spun me sideways. I landed hard on my right hip and knew right away it was bad.

An ambulance transported me to the ER where i got X-rays and was admitted for surgery. I am fortunate they could do the surgery the same day and the surgeon was excellent. DD is a Nurse Practitioner, formerly worked in the ED and still has ’connections’ and friends within the hospital. I had great treatment.

DH took this photo of the screen the ED doc showed us. I now have a rod holding my hip bones in place. The surgery itself only took around 30 minutes; the ER and surgery prep and waiting a lot longer.

Last night and today was fun-filled…BP readings, blood draws (at 3:30 am?), asking if i had peed, taking a bladder scan, more BP readings and blood draws, a catheter at 5:30, muscle relaxers to calm the muscle spasms (the worst part of all this), then PT around 8:30 this morning. I hope to go home tomorrow after a PT session with stairs.

Be careful folks. This was the most painful injury EVER!


Comments (63)

  • last year

    Praying for you and hope for a fast recovery. Follow the doctor's orders faithfully.

    OutsidePlaying thanked lindaohnowga
  • last year

    I wrote a comment earlier, but it seems to have gone missing. If it shows up, you'll have two get well soon wishes from me. Hope your recovery is swift and with very little pain.

    OutsidePlaying thanked olychick
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  • last year

    Oh I'm so sorry to hear this. Glad that you got such quick and good care. Sending you thoughts of healing and strength and patience as you work your way back to 100%!

    OutsidePlaying thanked Annie Deighnaugh
  • last year

    Wow! So sorry to read this. What a fluke of a mishap but that's why we call them accidents I guess. Hoping for more updates from you reporting on a steady recovery.

    We'll be here to encourage you on.

    OutsidePlaying thanked salonva
  • last year

    Ouch! Hoping that the healing is swift and you're up and about ASAP.

    OutsidePlaying thanked donna_loomis
  • last year
    last modified: last year

    Outside playing — I’m sorry about your injury and pain. It’s good that tou got a couple of lucky breaks — the fracture looks like a relatively clean one and you didn’t fracture the femoral neck or head, so they could do a ”simple” hip nailing. Secondly, you got fast and competent care. Kudos to your DD for her help. Thank your DH for the snapshot.

    I hope you have adequate pain relief and your PT goes well.

    Thanks for the reminder about watching out for trip hazzards. We all need to be mindful of trip and slip hazzards — cords, items sticking out into a passageway, waiting to catch someone’s foot, clay maganines or flyers on the floor, uneven flooring or walkways. We should all be sure to use handrails, wear shoes with good grip. I have a sibling that has fractured each hip over a twenty year span. One needed a total hip replacement because she was trybing to do too much, in a hurry and carried a basketful of laundry down her cellar steps without holding the railing. She lost her balance and crashed down the stairway into a steel support column.

    It is safer to just toss the laundry down the stairs, hold onto the railing. Once in the cellar safely, pick up laundry and proceed to washer. I do this when needed.

    Older people, particularly women with small fames and thin bones need to stay vigilant.

    OP — I want to metaphorically slap the person who left that panel intruding into the passageway.

    You will heal quickly, I’m confident. Take your time, and I hope you have some good reading lined up and a shady breeze deck with lemonade🧋🍋

    OutsidePlaying thanked petalique
  • last year

    I'm so sorry about your injury! I hope you heal quickly and are back on your feet again soon.

  • last year

    So sorry to hear about your injury. Wishing you a full, speedy recovery...

    OutsidePlaying thanked porkchop_z5b_MI
  • last year

    I'm so sorry to hear about this! Sounds like you're getting the best of care and hopefully can go home soon. I hope the pain is well under control, too.

    OutsidePlaying thanked Bluebell66
  • last year

    I am so sorry to hear of this and wish you well with a fast healing. Your fall was a wake-up call for me. At last week's semi-annual visit with doc he ordered a bone scan since I have osteopenia and osteoporosis. I'm small-boned and thin and think I'm 35. Yesterday at the beach as my daughter and I were hopping around rocks on our beach hike I scraped my foot and right then I had an aahhhh moment. I can't be doing this like we always did because I am now old and do not have the same agility as I had when the two of us did then when she was a child. I'll still hike but am being very careful and vigilant. Your fall brought affirmation of this. For me, it was act your age. I hope your recovery will be swift and uneventful, Take care and keep us posted.

    OutsidePlaying thanked lily316
  • last year

    so sorry to see this! i'm glad you could get away w/o a total hip replacement as the recovery time would be much longer. heal well and fast!


    OutsidePlaying thanked Ninapearl
  • last year

    Breaking anything is terrible and painful, but it sounds like breaking a hip is especially bad. I hope you recuperate quickly and without any complications.

    How are you dealing with the pain? I don't like taking pain killers because of the side effects. Have you been prescribed anything for the pain?

    OutsidePlaying thanked Lars
  • last year

    Please heal quickly and with relative little pain. It sounds like you had your pain before surgery. Do all the physical therapy they plan for you. Check in for all of us please.

    OutsidePlaying thanked ladypat1
  • last year

    When I was in a care facility last year after breaking a bone and it was taking a very long time I was told that it was a pity I hadn't broken a hip because that was an easy one. It is relative of course and each person is their own story but everyone kept telling me that. Even the hospital where I had the surgery and had to keep going back for check ups. I hope you see the quick progress they all predicted.

    OutsidePlaying thanked Patriciae
  • last year

    @Lily, yes, it’s scary how little moments like you had can be a wake-up call. And the pain from a broken hip is no joke. I recall rolling over after the fall to my left side and being in the fetal position with the bad hip on top. I couldn’t move my right leg so I stayed there until the EMS folks moved me to the gurney, which was painful for an instant.

    For those who have been thru something similar, i know you understand the level of pain. It‘s been quite a revelation.

    The care at our hospital was excellent. We have a new Ortho & Spine center that was completed a couple of years ago, attached to the main hospital. The few times I’ve been in a hospital setting i’ve tried to be a ’good patient’, and it does pay off.

    My deepest gratitude to all my good friends here with your words of encouragement and concern. I did get home yesterday afternoon and it was so good to take a shower and sleep in my own bed. Yes, we have a recliner, thankfully. It's several years old, leather, but right now I don’t care as long as it is doing its job.

    Lars, yes, I have a drug for the muscle spasms, one for pain (oxycodone), and a baby aspirin twice a day for the next 3-4 weeks. Blood clots can be a concern. I’ve been mostly sleeping, the result of drugs and just being too tired to do much else.

    PT at home is still being arranged. I’m waiting for a phone call but maybe all those come at the end of the day. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Followup appointment with the ortho surgeon is in 3 weeks.

    Again, thank you all. Sending a virtual hug to each of you.

    Petalique, my feelings exactly!

  • last year
    last modified: last year

    Outside, I was wondering how you’re doing now that you’re home. Thanks for the update and it must have felt terrific to take that shower and be at home.

    It is going to be uphill from here, so enjoy the down time — sleep a d relax. ”You deserve a break today?” Huh, but you deserve a break for sustaining that break. I’m so glad to hear you got good care.

    OutsidePlaying thanked petalique
  • last year

    Thanks for the update. All our thoughts are with you for a fast and good recovery.

    OutsidePlaying thanked lily316
  • last year

    Its good hearing you are home and recovering.


    Unsolicited advice follows - the oxy for pain can be a gift, just be sure you taking a good stool softener too. (Warm prune juice is what worked for me.)


    wishing you quick healing.

  • last year

    Outside, glad to hear things are coming along. Miralax and a stool softener, asap!

    One time i fractured my ankle and the pain was so awful I literally saw stars.

    Wishing you continued good healing.

  • last year


    Giving you a choice.

    And will USPS deliver to Outside Playing name? PM me please.

  • last year

    Haven’t heard back so am sending you the blue with dragonflies!

    Will mail on Monday.

    Kathy G

  • last year

    ^^^ Kathy, you are so kind, and very talented!

  • last year

    Hmmmm, Kathy i responded yesterday, so I don’t know what happened.

    Anyway, I so appreciate your kindness and thoughtfulness!

    Love the dragonflies!

    I’ll try again to send my name & address. USPS probably will deliver to us.

  • last year

    It looks as if my messages went through and i just sent another. 🤷🏻‍♀️

  • last year

    I am sorry to hear what happened to you. Falling or tripping over something is one of my fears. I hope you heal fast and are not it too much pain.

    OutsidePlaying thanked Cherryfizz
  • last year

    OutsidePlaying, are you feeling more comfortable?

    OutsidePlaying thanked petalique
  • last year

    Yes, Petalique, every day brings a bit more comfort and mobility. I’m still attached to my walker, but can stand mostly unassisted for brief periods of time to do small things like prepare a salad. I still need a bit of help getting into bed. I can get out of bed just fine but our bed is higher than i thought and I have long legs. It is just painful to lift the right leg. It’s good to feel a little bit independent even though DH has been a huge help and is always there when needed.

    The bruising around my swollen thigh is ridiculous. It looks like I was run over by a truck. I’m sure all that is from the surgery and insertion of the rod.

    Thanks for checking on me.

  • last year

    I am so glad to hear you are getting around so well as to be able to do small tasks standing. Good for you. I had an amazing lot of bruising as well and they all said it was from the surgery. It looked worse after a week or so. I guess the extra fluids move around. Keep up the good work and keep us posted please.

    OutsidePlaying thanked Patriciae
  • last year

    Did you receive the bag? Kathy

  • last year

    Outside, Did you get the bag? I haven't been on THS much.

  • last year

    No not yet, but we didn’t even check out mailbox today.. SMH!

  • last year

    I hope you are feeling better very day.

    OutsidePlaying thanked petalique
  • last year

    If it's not there I'll resend one. Had this happen once before. Kathy

    OutsidePlaying thanked kathyg_in_mi
  • last year

    Kathy, it’s still not here. let’s wait until Friday just in case.

  • last year

    Petalique, thank you, I’m doing much better. DH and I went to buy groceries today. First time I’ve been a grocery store in over 2 weeks! DH has been of course, but i’m now feeling like putting a small, easy dinner together with his help.

    I had PT again this afternoon and the therapist works me pretty hard, but she said i am really doing exceptionally well. I think I mentioned before that she said my fitness level and Pilates training really paid off. It really has. Yes, I’m still a bit sore, especially my thigh (from the rod implant I’m pretty sure) and general quad and hamstring loss of strength and flexibility I need to get back.

  • last year

    I'm glad things are improving for you day by day. You are really doing really well for the time since it happened. A friend at the ranch had a similar break 6 months ago while on vacation. Same rod repair. It's a longish healing process, but she got back on a horse (one of the easy ones) and rode for over an hour with us on a trail ride the other day after 6 months. But I could see she had to push through it. When my son shattered his femur into a zillion pieces and had a rod repair they said it was always a long recovery. Told him he would be lucky to walk without assistance for up to a year. He went to the gym and set up his own PT. Was back to normal in 6 months. Shocked his doctor by walking in on his own before 3 months. But he was still young and very determined.

    OutsidePlaying thanked wildchild2x2
  • last year

    How exciting for you. A trip to the grocery store.

    Seriously, great progress!

    I know nothing about 'rods', but have had two hips replaced. I'm wondering if this is 'it' for your 'repairs' -- nothing further to be done? The replacement recoveries were so quick. I'm guessing this is more difficult because of the fracture. Is that correct? Can you educate me?

    OutsidePlaying thanked chisue
  • last year

    Great progress and I'm glad you got to the grocery store. My DIL had a hip replacement and two weeks later rode her bike 17 miles. She still has discomfort but all in all, is glad she did it.

  • last year
    last modified: last year

    Yes, from some things I’ve seen and read online about the trocanteric nail procedure (yes they call it a nail), It may actually be 2 rods that are connected. One short one goes into the bone that ends in the ball joint and the other goes down the femur. I don’t actually know, as I was somewhat out of it when the surgeon came by in the hospital. I hope to get more clarity when I go back on the 12th. I did ask about the bandage just above my knee and he said ‘oh that’s where we attached the rod’. 😳 Which explains a lot about why my whole thigh is black and blue and somewhat sore in various places.

    DH has had a hip replacement too and it was a piece of cake compared to this.

    I’m still using a walker but can stand upright without it and if I’m wearing cushioned shoes (like sneakers) I can take a few tentative steps unaided. I feel as if I am almost to the point of graduating to a cane, but not quite!


    kath, I’m afraid the package still did not arrive today.

  • last year

    Dear O.P. -- Thanks for that. I'm feeling sorry for asking when you're obviously hurting and trying to just get ON with things, but I learn so much from our 'adventures' here. It sounds like more than the hip joint is the problem. The fractured bones need additional strengthening.

    This is no picnic, but I bet your doctors are happy to have a patient who is strong going into this -- probably not the usual case.

    OutsidePlaying thanked chisue
  • last year

    This has surely been a learning experience here too, Chisue. Fascinating what the ortho folks can do today.

  • last year

    Each day will get better ... listen for the doctors' limitations. You are lucky someone was in the lab overnight, unless they had to call in a lab tech; our among many true unsung heroes for sure. All the best, and don't be afraid to use some pillows if need be, and ice.

    OutsidePlaying thanked bragu_DSM 5
  • last year

    After breaking my leg I had to go and get scanned for osteoporosis and the technician I had used to work as a nurse in orthopedic surgery. He was an amazing source of information. He pulled up pictures on his phone to show me what was done. He said the rods are called nails because they can actually pound them into place with a hammer-no kidding. There are points along the rod with holes for cross pins to keep them from moving. The crook in the leg bone at the joint is indeed a separate rod usually. He said it was for all the world just like carpentry and the tools were the same. Yipes. And I did not have osteoporosis.

    It sounds like you are doing well. Dont push it on getting rid of the walker. You can pick it up and carry it with you for best balance when you are walking more. A few tentative steps is a long ways from making sure you dont trip and fall.

    OutsidePlaying thanked Patriciae
  • last year
    last modified: last year

    Outside playing.

    Sending tomorrow!

    Kathy G

    OutsidePlaying thanked kathyg_in_mi
  • last year

    Wow hearing all this up to date on the ways of bone repair is amazing. When I first read about your broken hip, I assumed that it meant a hip replacement. I am assuming what they did for you Outside Playing, was less invasive? I guess the older we get the more hip injuries get our attention. You are an inspiration doing a little cooking so soon after all your stuff.

    OutsidePlaying thanked ladypat1
  • last year

    Outside, here is your tracking #9500 1127 7467 4190 8087 44

    USPS says it should be delivered on Thursday!

    Wait and see. Kathy G


  • last year

    USPS tracking says it was delivered today!

    Kathy

    OutsidePlaying thanked kathyg_in_mi
  • last year

    Kathyg, yes it arrived and I love it! The dragonflies are a favorite and the colors are so pretty! Thank you for the day-brightener! Today was a little rough, so it was a welcome surprise.

    Ladypat, sorry for my delay in responding. My procedure was much more invasive, and more painful, with a longer recovery than most hip replacements. DH had a hip replacement in 2017, and was walking unassisted in a couple of days, pretty much pain free. This has been hard since I’m usually so active. A good time to sit and clean out drawers.

  • last year

    Happy you like it! Kathy G

    OutsidePlaying thanked kathyg_in_mi
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