Femur rod surgery. What to expect?

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GoldenGirls
GoldenGirls Member Posts: 608
edited July 2016 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

Though my mom's nondisplaced femur fracture doesn't require surgery, the orthopedic surgeon gave her the option to put in a rod so that she could avoid months of not being able to put weight on the leg while waiting for it to heal.

She has just completed rads to the leg and is waiting to find out when the surgery will be. In the meantime, she wants to hear from others who have a rod placed in their femur and what she can expect as far as recovery time and mobility.

Thank you

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  • LindaE54
    LindaE54 Member Posts: 2,054
    edited July 2016

    Golden, I had the femoral rod insertion in April 2014. Surgery went very well. Hospital stay was 4 days, was given exercises from hospital physiotherapist. Your Mom can expect a lot of bruising and swelling and pain unfortunately after surgery. I was told to take pain meds as prescribed to avoid chronic pain. Was also given a blood thinner (injection in tummy) for about a month or so to avoid blood clot. Used a walker for 2 to 3 weeks and then graduated to a cane for a while. It took a good 3 months to heal but was pretty functional. I didn't have complete anesthesia which scared the living crap out of me. I told the doc, I don't want to see nor hear anything. Worked like a charm and passed out!

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  • Fitztwins
    Fitztwins Member Posts: 7,969
    edited July 2016

    I just had it done on Tuesday. I was only in the hospital one night. I am on the walker to steady myself but can put full weight on my leg. The pain can be intense at times but I am doing pretty good. Yes, I have bruising all down my leg. I don't like the pain meds because they make me so tired. I have been sleeping a lot.

    good luck to your mom.

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  • PattyPeppermint
    PattyPeppermint Member Posts: 11,162
    edited July 2016

    fitz. Don't guess I knew you were having that done. Was it scheduled or a surprise by fracture? Take your time. Let it heal. Mo been trying to talk me into it since cancer has eaten it away so much. I am not yet convinced but am pleasantly surprised you are doing so well

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  • LindaE54
    LindaE54 Member Posts: 2,054
    edited July 2016

    Fitz - wishing you a speedy recovery!

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  • RonnieKay
    RonnieKay Member Posts: 2,067
    edited July 2016

    Linda & Fitz...YOU GALS ARE ROCK STARS!!! Keep up the healing Fitz...I didn't know either!! Golden...hugs to Mom & Patty..always in my thoughts & prayers.

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  • dinamarca
    dinamarca Member Posts: 37
    edited July 2016

    I had the rods inserted in both legs. The right side was done in Dec. there was quite a bit of swelling, bruising and pain. I took pain meds at night to take the edge off so I could sleep. I had to use a wheel chair until a rod was inserted on the left side. That was done in March, with very little swelling and less pain. I was on my feet the next day! I would use a cane from time to time for steadiness. Now several months out there's still some discomfort, but I'm up and walking!

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  • GoldenGirls
    GoldenGirls Member Posts: 608
    edited July 2016

    Thanks everyone!

    You ARE all rock stars!!

    She is having her surgery this afternoon and looking forward to being able to stand up again. She's been in a hospital bed for 3 weeks and was worried that it would be a few more weeks before she'd be able to get around herself. Hopefully she will be able to be released quickly. Will check in later.

    Thanks again!

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  • LindaE54
    LindaE54 Member Posts: 2,054
    edited July 2016

    Wishing you Mom the very best! Keep us posted.

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  • GoldenGirls
    GoldenGirls Member Posts: 608
    edited July 2016

    Not the update I was hoping to share. The surgery was more complicated than expected because there were a lot more mets in the leg than could be accurately seen on scans. They were able to get a rod in but every time they tried to add some of the screws the bone would give out so they had to leave it at just a few screws so the rod isn't as stable as they'd hoped. This means that she will remain in a splint and on a walker for a few months which the surgery was supposed to help her avoid. The only good thing is that she won't be bedridden as she had been these past few weeks. There is no elevator in her building so we are going to have to scramble to sell her condo and find her something on a ground floor or with an elevator, which unfortunately, is not easy in the small town she lives in.

    She was still very loopy and out of it when I left the hospital so I don't know how much information she actually retained. Hoping this isn't too big a blow to her spirits because so far, even with all the crap cancer has thrown at her, she has managed to be upbeat and in good spirits. She handles pain like a champ, but anything that effects her independence is tough for her to swallow.

    Will keep you posted. And thanks again for your input and support :)

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  • LindaE54
    LindaE54 Member Posts: 2,054
    edited July 2016

    Golden, sorry it was more complicated than anticipated. Did they mention rads to strengthen the bone?

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  • GoldenGirls
    GoldenGirls Member Posts: 608
    edited July 2016

    They did rads on the fracture before surgery, but so far there's been no mention of anything else. It will be another 2 weeks before she is able to try putting limited weight on the leg and no idea yet when they will allow her to leave the hospital. We're in the process of finding her a new place to live that doesn't have stairs. It's a sucky situation all around, but like always she is taking it like a champ. She stood up on one foot with a walker three times 12 hours after the surgery and has been going beyond what the physical therapist expects. She is determined to get out of the hospital as soon as possible.

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  • LindaE54
    LindaE54 Member Posts: 2,054
    edited July 2016

    Quite a lady is your Mom!

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