Ouch (possible NSFW pictures of my rear to follow)
Discussion
Well, this isn’t good…
Yep, that’s a broken screw on the inside/small plate. The new plan is back to toe touch weight bearing for six weeks to give the new bone that’s (just) visible chance to consolidate/increase/harden and reducing the strain on the other metal/screws.
If there’s any more metal failures, it’s back in for (yet more) surgery, which will be a new plate with fresh screws. This has somewhat buggered up my plans for a trip away in May, because if I do need more surgery, that’ll be early April and there’s no way I’ll be back to full weight bearing/fully mobile in that short time.
Yay.
Yep, that’s a broken screw on the inside/small plate. The new plan is back to toe touch weight bearing for six weeks to give the new bone that’s (just) visible chance to consolidate/increase/harden and reducing the strain on the other metal/screws.
If there’s any more metal failures, it’s back in for (yet more) surgery, which will be a new plate with fresh screws. This has somewhat buggered up my plans for a trip away in May, because if I do need more surgery, that’ll be early April and there’s no way I’ll be back to full weight bearing/fully mobile in that short time.
Yay.
Arnold Cunningham said:
What a journey you’ve been on.
Regarding the broken screw - did you have any indication beforehand? Did you trip or stumble and “tweak” it, or was this a complete surprise?
No, I’ve been following doctor’s orders throughout. It’s probably because I’m what is known in medical circles as “a fat fRegarding the broken screw - did you have any indication beforehand? Did you trip or stumble and “tweak” it, or was this a complete surprise?
ker”. The osteotomy site has been sore, but not excessively or any noticeable increase, it’s been like that since the surgery (actually reducing over time). It’d be odd if it didn’t hurt, really.That was the advantage of the external rail, once the pins were set, it took all the weight and did all the heavy lifting, so it’s a shame it turned out not to be an option this time.
I’m just going to have to grit my teeth and take it easy for the next six weeks and see where we’re at mid-March. There is new bone forming, so it’s heading in the right direction, albeit not as fast as I’d have liked.
It could’ve been worse - look at what happened to Boothy from 44 Teeth. I’m comparatively lucky, when you look at the big picture (although that’s not always so easy to do when I’m in the thick of it). It is frustrating having to rely on other people, for a lot of stuff like shopping etc, but it’s nowhere near as bad as when I had work related PTSD about ten years ago and tried to top myself. I just need to keep reminding myself “It could be worse”.
Hello everyone (and belated thanks for the good wishes I missed previously).
I saw the consultant yesterday for my follow up appointment and the good news was that no more metal had broken, but he still wanted to get ahead of things and replace the inside plate on my femur anyway, with “a more robust one better able to cope with the specific installation…” (his words, cheeky fker - tell me I’m fat without telling me I’m fat 
). He also wanted to harvest a bone graft from my left hip and implant it in the osteotomy (cut in the bone) in my femur as further insurance to make sure the newly growing bone keeps growing and heals as well as possible.
So today, he did just that.
Except he didn’t. Not all of it, anyway. It’s actually more good news! He replaced the plate with a thicker and wider one, meaning it’s got six screws/pins, instead of just four, which are also thicker. That means each screw/pin holds less weight (of me), reducing the chances they’ll snap as they’re under less stress. That was it, job done. While he was in there, he saw that the regenerated bone was progressing well enough that the bone graft would have been counterproductive as he’d have had to remove some of that new bone just to do the implant. Even I can see that’s not a great idea and if a thicko like me can understand it, it’s pretty obvious.
I’ve no extra scars (boo) as he went in through one of the (then new) incisions from the surgery back in November. The nerve block is still working, so I’ve currently zero pain, but I’m plumbed in to a morphine pump if it turns out I do need pain relief once the nerve block wears off. One benefit of not having used the pump (so far) is I’ve managed a dump, which is one of life’s little pleasures. Or not so little, if it’s the first one after you have used the morphine pump…
I’m toe touch weight bearing on Leggy McLegster for two weeks, 50% for the next four weeks then can fully weight bear “as tolerated” after that, so the crutches will be about for a bit yet. Hospital food is as bland as ever, some other patients are utterly hideous human beings to anyone and everyone, on every level imaginable and 99.9% of staff working in the NHS are absolute fking superstars. I’m still blown away by their passion and compassion, especially that of some of the very new student nurses, who must be absolutely bonkers to incur such huge debt, but I’m glad there are people like that in the world.
A photo. One of my friends commented it was a bit offside they were trying to make it look like I was wearing old style prison pyjamas…
I saw the consultant yesterday for my follow up appointment and the good news was that no more metal had broken, but he still wanted to get ahead of things and replace the inside plate on my femur anyway, with “a more robust one better able to cope with the specific installation…” (his words, cheeky f
ker - tell me I’m fat without telling me I’m fat ). He also wanted to harvest a bone graft from my left hip and implant it in the osteotomy (cut in the bone) in my femur as further insurance to make sure the newly growing bone keeps growing and heals as well as possible.So today, he did just that.
Except he didn’t. Not all of it, anyway. It’s actually more good news! He replaced the plate with a thicker and wider one, meaning it’s got six screws/pins, instead of just four, which are also thicker. That means each screw/pin holds less weight (of me), reducing the chances they’ll snap as they’re under less stress. That was it, job done. While he was in there, he saw that the regenerated bone was progressing well enough that the bone graft would have been counterproductive as he’d have had to remove some of that new bone just to do the implant. Even I can see that’s not a great idea and if a thicko like me can understand it, it’s pretty obvious.
I’ve no extra scars (boo) as he went in through one of the (then new) incisions from the surgery back in November. The nerve block is still working, so I’ve currently zero pain, but I’m plumbed in to a morphine pump if it turns out I do need pain relief once the nerve block wears off. One benefit of not having used the pump (so far) is I’ve managed a dump, which is one of life’s little pleasures. Or not so little, if it’s the first one after you have used the morphine pump…
I’m toe touch weight bearing on Leggy McLegster for two weeks, 50% for the next four weeks then can fully weight bear “as tolerated” after that, so the crutches will be about for a bit yet. Hospital food is as bland as ever, some other patients are utterly hideous human beings to anyone and everyone, on every level imaginable and 99.9% of staff working in the NHS are absolute f
king superstars. I’m still blown away by their passion and compassion, especially that of some of the very new student nurses, who must be absolutely bonkers to incur such huge debt, but I’m glad there are people like that in the world.A photo. One of my friends commented it was a bit offside they were trying to make it look like I was wearing old style prison pyjamas…
I’ve just seen the orthopaedic consultant for my post op clinic follow up.
The good news is the new, thicker metal plate and stronger pins are all holding and there is more bone growth showing on today’s X-rays. The downside is that I’m stuck on crutches for another six weeks or so, which means no driving until mid June at the earliest. fksake.
I’m due to see a new (to me) consultant as the current one is retiring (again) and today is his last day at work. He’s written me up for a CT scan for the next appointment in June and if there is sufficient bridging, I’ll be losing the crutches. I’ll also be able to go to the police rehab centre for a fortnight of pain. I could go now, but they’d have to limit how much I could do, so I wouldn’t get as much benefit, so I may as well hang fire and go when I’ll get the most out of it.
The good news is the new, thicker metal plate and stronger pins are all holding and there is more bone growth showing on today’s X-rays. The downside is that I’m stuck on crutches for another six weeks or so, which means no driving until mid June at the earliest. f
ksake. I’m due to see a new (to me) consultant as the current one is retiring (again) and today is his last day at work. He’s written me up for a CT scan for the next appointment in June and if there is sufficient bridging, I’ll be losing the crutches. I’ll also be able to go to the police rehab centre for a fortnight of pain. I could go now, but they’d have to limit how much I could do, so I wouldn’t get as much benefit, so I may as well hang fire and go when I’ll get the most out of it.
Cheers guys. I forgot to show you my gash…
Before the staples/clips came out. The yellow is the remains of the bruising.
Clips out, which was pretty stingy. About three had skin already growing over them.
And on the plus side, I’ve only got today and tomorrow left to self inject the Enozaparin into my stomach (the blood thinners to stop me having an embolism).
Before the staples/clips came out. The yellow is the remains of the bruising.
Clips out, which was pretty stingy. About three had skin already growing over them.
And on the plus side, I’ve only got today and tomorrow left to self inject the Enozaparin into my stomach (the blood thinners to stop me having an embolism).
It’s time for another of my (thankfully) increasingly less frequent updates.
I had my “early June” appointment with consultant number three today. It should’ve been on 14 July, but was postponed due to the junior doctors being on strike that week and the consultants striking last week. I’m fairly pragmatic about it to be honest, I think a lot of the front line/medical staff should be better paid and two extra weeks after over six years of this shenanigans is nothing, really.
The good news is that I’m now up from 50% weight bearing to 75%, then if everything is ok after three weeks, I can go up to 100% for the first time since 5 November last year. I’ll still be on crutches while I build up strength but I’m hoping to ditch them as soon as I can. Realistically I’ll probably lose one crutch pretty quickly, see how I manage with just one and once I’m at 100% weight bearing, I should be able to swap to the walking stick. I’ll obviously be looking to also get rid of that as soon as I can.
I’ve also been given the all clear to start driving again, which will be a massive help. I’m allowed to do 5-10 minutes while I’m at 75% and I’m now the proud owner of a blue badge! I just need to get the car jump started, pump up the flat tyre, probably get a new battery, have it valeted, get it serviced, get it MOT’d and taken off SORN…
I’m still mostly working from home and getting a lift in once a week or so with a colleague who lives nearby. Once I’m back to 100% weight bearing I’ll be looking to get back in to the office on a phased return. I’m not going to be able to manage the 30 minute drive each way just yet. The consultant has also given me the go ahead to get booked in for two weeks intense physio at the police rehab centre. I pay in just over seven quid a month and the treatment is equivalent to about £1,500 a week, so it’s a bit of a bargain to be honest. I’ve been paying in for the last 27 years, so it’s about time I had another visit. It’s a charity and doesn’t cost the tax payers anything, so don’t fret on that score! Id like to be in the position where I can take my fitness text, but because if the damage to my knee, it’ll be the treadmill version, rather than the bleep test and if I can pass, I can do my personal safety training and be fully operational again. That’s the plan, but time will tell.
My leg’s never going to be 100%, but it’s still attached and mostly sort of working. I’ll be able to get back on with the house renovation and decorating soon, which has all been on hold since last November. I did have a few days away in Copenhagen, still on crutches, but I thought “sod it” and flew business class with SAS, so that was bearable.
Anyone got any thoughts on the Norden 901?
No gash pictures, so have a photo of a motoring related Danish hamburger instead.
I had my “early June” appointment with consultant number three today. It should’ve been on 14 July, but was postponed due to the junior doctors being on strike that week and the consultants striking last week. I’m fairly pragmatic about it to be honest, I think a lot of the front line/medical staff should be better paid and two extra weeks after over six years of this shenanigans is nothing, really.
The good news is that I’m now up from 50% weight bearing to 75%, then if everything is ok after three weeks, I can go up to 100% for the first time since 5 November last year. I’ll still be on crutches while I build up strength but I’m hoping to ditch them as soon as I can. Realistically I’ll probably lose one crutch pretty quickly, see how I manage with just one and once I’m at 100% weight bearing, I should be able to swap to the walking stick. I’ll obviously be looking to also get rid of that as soon as I can.
I’ve also been given the all clear to start driving again, which will be a massive help. I’m allowed to do 5-10 minutes while I’m at 75% and I’m now the proud owner of a blue badge! I just need to get the car jump started, pump up the flat tyre, probably get a new battery, have it valeted, get it serviced, get it MOT’d and taken off SORN…
I’m still mostly working from home and getting a lift in once a week or so with a colleague who lives nearby. Once I’m back to 100% weight bearing I’ll be looking to get back in to the office on a phased return. I’m not going to be able to manage the 30 minute drive each way just yet. The consultant has also given me the go ahead to get booked in for two weeks intense physio at the police rehab centre. I pay in just over seven quid a month and the treatment is equivalent to about £1,500 a week, so it’s a bit of a bargain to be honest. I’ve been paying in for the last 27 years, so it’s about time I had another visit. It’s a charity and doesn’t cost the tax payers anything, so don’t fret on that score! Id like to be in the position where I can take my fitness text, but because if the damage to my knee, it’ll be the treadmill version, rather than the bleep test and if I can pass, I can do my personal safety training and be fully operational again. That’s the plan, but time will tell.
My leg’s never going to be 100%, but it’s still attached and mostly sort of working. I’ll be able to get back on with the house renovation and decorating soon, which has all been on hold since last November. I did have a few days away in Copenhagen, still on crutches, but I thought “sod it” and flew business class with SAS, so that was bearable.
Anyone got any thoughts on the Norden 901?
No gash pictures, so have a photo of a motoring related Danish hamburger instead.
RDMcG said:
Sounds like serious progress and you can begin to plan to return to a more normal life. Very good news indeed- your journey has been long and very tough but you have never given up. Very happy for you.
Cheers. I’m finding there are limits to what my leg will or won’t do and I guess I’m just going to have to learn to live with those restrictions.I’m going to have to ditch some weight and get fitter. It’s going to be crap going for walks without my idiot dog in tow. I’m just glad we had one last good walk together the day before my surgery. It’s still very strange not having him around.
jimmyjimjim said:
Glad to see it's a positive update, there's been to many occasions on this thread where there's been steps backwards!
You must be delighted, especially if you're looking at bikes, iirc it wasn't too long ago you'd given up on the idea....
I’m going to have to wait and see if I can (a) swing my leg over and (b) support the weight of me and a bike on the duff leg. Those will be the deciders. As above, I had a few days away in Denmark. I thought that would scratch my travel itch. It just made me realise how much I’ve missed going away. Whether any future trips are on a bike is still in the balance.You must be delighted, especially if you're looking at bikes, iirc it wasn't too long ago you'd given up on the idea....
A bit of a milestone today.
I am now allowed to weight bear 100% on my right leg. Although, because I’ve been using the crutches since the start of last November, the strength/flexibility in my right leg is pretty non existent. But I can now at least start some more full on therapy/exercise. The hospital have signed off on me going to the police rehab centre, so I’ll be applying for that when I’m back in the office tomorrow.
I got the all clear a few weeks ago to start riding my push bike again and I’ve been out on it a few times. Nothing excessive, all sub 5k so far. The tricky bit is getting on/off, which involves tilting the bike towards me at an angle, grabbing my jeans hem and lifting my leg up and over. Graceful, it isn’t! I also have a walking stick attached to the crossbar, in case I need to get off and walkto the bar anywhere.
I also picked up a bargain Thule bike rack that’s practically unused and goes on the newly installed tow bar on my Saaaaaaab. £200 from Facebook marketplace - list is £530 from Thule (available for about £450 online if you shop around).
I am now allowed to weight bear 100% on my right leg. Although, because I’ve been using the crutches since the start of last November, the strength/flexibility in my right leg is pretty non existent. But I can now at least start some more full on therapy/exercise. The hospital have signed off on me going to the police rehab centre, so I’ll be applying for that when I’m back in the office tomorrow.
I got the all clear a few weeks ago to start riding my push bike again and I’ve been out on it a few times. Nothing excessive, all sub 5k so far. The tricky bit is getting on/off, which involves tilting the bike towards me at an angle, grabbing my jeans hem and lifting my leg up and over. Graceful, it isn’t! I also have a walking stick attached to the crossbar, in case I need to get off and walk
I also picked up a bargain Thule bike rack that’s practically unused and goes on the newly installed tow bar on my Saaaaaaab. £200 from Facebook marketplace - list is £530 from Thule (available for about £450 online if you shop around).
Thanks for all the replies, I’ve been at work all weekend and just waiting for transport home from today’s physio.
boyse7en, if you’ve any questions, feel free to PM me. It’ll be a tough time, but he’ll get there eventually. He just might find that “there” isn’t quite where it used to be and he will have to adjust to that, physically and mentally.
boyse7en, if you’ve any questions, feel free to PM me. It’ll be a tough time, but he’ll get there eventually. He just might find that “there” isn’t quite where it used to be and he will have to adjust to that, physically and mentally.
LosingGrip said:
Good update Dibble! Make the most of (I'm assuming) Flint House. Everyone who I know has been raves about it...I should pay in!
Fingers crossed you can get on with PST and back out and about! N
Flint House is for those filthy southern types. We pay into the Police Treatment Centres and I can’t recommend them enough. You should definitely pay into Flint House, for the few quid a month subs, it’s absolutely worth it.Fingers crossed you can get on with PST and back out and about! N
https://www.thepolicetreatmentcentres.org/
Rushjob said:
The team at St Andrews did wonders for my recovery when I had knee surgery.
That two week stay was worth all of the contributions over my entire service.
Cracking place.
Yep, just checked my payslip. £7.80 a month, currently. It was £9.52 back in 2015 (the oldest payslip I can find), but that also included St George’s/Benevolent Fund as well. That two week stay was worth all of the contributions over my entire service.
Cracking place.
I’m at the end of my first week at the police rehab centre in Harrogate and have limped myself out for a beer or two.
The week hasn’t been altogether smooth. You know that saying “If I didn’t have bad luck, I wouldn’t have any luck at all”? I was due to drive over first thing Monday morning, which would’ve been the longest drive I’ve done in over a year and consequently would’ve had tI break it down into at least three chunks with a bit of stretch/rest en route.
Except on Saturday, my car decided to throw a wobbler (probably the alternator/alternator belt) and no chance of getting it fixed. A quick phone call to the rehab meant I was ok to book in on Sunday, so train it was. I limped the car home to then discover a water leak from the internal stopcock. Convincing my home insurance company (using their own policy wording) that I was covered was hard work.
They eventually sent a plumber who sorted it, so I thought I’d celebrate by slashing my own finger on a sharp knife in the washing up bowl. As I’ve just had the damp course done downstairs, everything from there is in storage/upstairs so my dressing consisted of a tea towel and some gaffer tape. By this point, I thought I deserved a glass (bottle) of wine, so over to the corner shop I went.
Things by now were obviously going too well, so I thought I’d liven things up by not putting it in my bag but dropping and smashing it instead. I picked up the bits, did a quick about turn, second bottle bought and across to the Chinese for some MSG heavy stodge. Only to be told it was a minimum of an hour’s wait, so dinner ended up being fish finger butties instead.
Sunday saw me on the train to Harrogate. Just not the one I’d planed on, as 50% of them were cancelled. Three trains in all, with each delayed, plus other cancellations, meant I missed the planned connections, my scheduled 4 hour journey took nearer seven and I’d missed the evening meal by the time I eventually got here.
Then when I was admitted by the nursing staff, my blood pressure was too high so I was banned from exercise until it came down, I had to ring 111 and speak to a doctor at their insistence (it was either that or they were calling me an ambulance…) I spoke to my GP the following morning who said I was ok to stay and exercise, as long as my BP came down and stayed down, which it did late Wednesday. So I’ve crammed in the gym/classes/phsyio and there’s already an improvement.
I’ve got a weekend to chill out and kick my heels in Harrogate, then back into it for a full week next week.
On top of that, the “outside” plate is still uncomfortable, so the consultant is minded to remove it. In the second half of next year… the good news is that it’s one night in hospital, 50% weight bearing immediately for two weeks, 75% for the next two then up to 100% as soon as tolerated. I think it will need to come out, it’s pretty niggly and uncomfortable. The bone is classed as healed as there is regrowth across the entire width, it just needs to fully consolidate.
Anyway, some photos. Hope you all have a great weekend and thanks for the continued good wishes and encouragement, it really does help.
The current domestic chaos…
Slightly less chaotic now
Compression ratios…
The ouchy bit is where the cursor is, as there’s not much padding over it. Even for a fat knacker like me.
Sports kit, just before I did Pilates today. There are some utter tossers here with all matching sports gear/tough mudder finisher/ironman winner tee shirts… they’re just lucky I even possess shorts and trainers (although these were a Facebook bargain, Karhu brand, £130 RRP, new in box for £20)
The week hasn’t been altogether smooth. You know that saying “If I didn’t have bad luck, I wouldn’t have any luck at all”? I was due to drive over first thing Monday morning, which would’ve been the longest drive I’ve done in over a year and consequently would’ve had tI break it down into at least three chunks with a bit of stretch/rest en route.
Except on Saturday, my car decided to throw a wobbler (probably the alternator/alternator belt) and no chance of getting it fixed. A quick phone call to the rehab meant I was ok to book in on Sunday, so train it was. I limped the car home to then discover a water leak from the internal stopcock. Convincing my home insurance company (using their own policy wording) that I was covered was hard work.
They eventually sent a plumber who sorted it, so I thought I’d celebrate by slashing my own finger on a sharp knife in the washing up bowl. As I’ve just had the damp course done downstairs, everything from there is in storage/upstairs so my dressing consisted of a tea towel and some gaffer tape. By this point, I thought I deserved a glass (bottle) of wine, so over to the corner shop I went.
Things by now were obviously going too well, so I thought I’d liven things up by not putting it in my bag but dropping and smashing it instead. I picked up the bits, did a quick about turn, second bottle bought and across to the Chinese for some MSG heavy stodge. Only to be told it was a minimum of an hour’s wait, so dinner ended up being fish finger butties instead.
Sunday saw me on the train to Harrogate. Just not the one I’d planed on, as 50% of them were cancelled. Three trains in all, with each delayed, plus other cancellations, meant I missed the planned connections, my scheduled 4 hour journey took nearer seven and I’d missed the evening meal by the time I eventually got here.
Then when I was admitted by the nursing staff, my blood pressure was too high so I was banned from exercise until it came down, I had to ring 111 and speak to a doctor at their insistence (it was either that or they were calling me an ambulance…) I spoke to my GP the following morning who said I was ok to stay and exercise, as long as my BP came down and stayed down, which it did late Wednesday. So I’ve crammed in the gym/classes/phsyio and there’s already an improvement.
I’ve got a weekend to chill out and kick my heels in Harrogate, then back into it for a full week next week.
On top of that, the “outside” plate is still uncomfortable, so the consultant is minded to remove it. In the second half of next year… the good news is that it’s one night in hospital, 50% weight bearing immediately for two weeks, 75% for the next two then up to 100% as soon as tolerated. I think it will need to come out, it’s pretty niggly and uncomfortable. The bone is classed as healed as there is regrowth across the entire width, it just needs to fully consolidate.
Anyway, some photos. Hope you all have a great weekend and thanks for the continued good wishes and encouragement, it really does help.
The current domestic chaos…
Slightly less chaotic now
Compression ratios…
The ouchy bit is where the cursor is, as there’s not much padding over it. Even for a fat knacker like me.
Sports kit, just before I did Pilates today. There are some utter tossers here with all matching sports gear/tough mudder finisher/ironman winner tee shirts… they’re just lucky I even possess shorts and trainers (although these were a Facebook bargain, Karhu brand, £130 RRP, new in box for £20)
Cheers guys
It's actually quite cathartic writing it all down here and I'm glad I'm able to provide some light entertainment as well. In all seriousness, I'm doing ok inside my head and I do appreciate the continued piss taking - it reminds me not to take myself too seriously. .There are plenty of other people who've had/are having a much worse time than me.
It's actually quite cathartic writing it all down here and I'm glad I'm able to provide some light entertainment as well. In all seriousness, I'm doing ok inside my head and I do appreciate the continued piss taking - it reminds me not to take myself too seriously. .There are plenty of other people who've had/are having a much worse time than me.
Krikkit said:
Best get yourself a lottery ticket Dibble, you're due to swing back to good luck some time very soon! Hopefully going a bit better this week
Today was Pilates, breakfast, hydrotherapy pool, gym, ball class (balancing on those huge beach ball things), lunch, gym, lower limb class, gym, pool/aquarobics, dinner, relaxation session.Gym work is walking on the treadmill, Watt bike, some upper body stuff to improve core/general overall fitness but mainly leg press/leg extension. Those last two hurt like an absolute b
d at the end of the reps.ST565NP said:
ConnectionError said:
Great progress
Cannot believe the accident was in 2017.
+1Cannot believe the accident was in 2017.
On the up side, I’ve already improved the strength in my leg since I’ve been at the rehab centre in Harrogate. I couldn’t move some of the leg machines with almost no load and I can now do it with a bit of weight added, so there’s definitely the start of something there. The entire team at the centre are all brilliant and the physio I’ve been seeing is an absolute superstar. She’s a very straight talking Yorkshire person, which is exactly what I need. She doesn’t try and flower anything up and has pushed me hard enough so that I’ve made the progress I have.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff