'dem' bone(s), 'dem' bone(s)...

[Jace]

Did you know?...
The strongest bone in your body is your femur, or thigh bone.
Although it's HOLLOW, "ounce for ounce"...it sustains the weight-bearing strength
of cast steel.

Hopefully, you haven't had the misfortune of it's break.

But, if you have/had...

Care to share...how long recovery...etc.

 

[hollydolly]

Did you know that because it's the longest and strongest bone in the human body, that it makes the greatest contribution to Archaeology ?

 

[Alligatorob]

Never broken one, but I am getting both knees replace in October. And as I understand it they will saw off the ends of my femurs and replace them to make the new knees... Will let folks know how that goes when the time comes.

Did you know that because it's the longest and strongest bone in the human body, that it makes the greatest contribution to Archaeology ?

Makes sense, but I didn't know.

 

[Flarbalard]

Never broken one, but I am getting both knees replace in October. And as I understand it they will saw off the ends of my femurs and replace them to make the new knees... Will let folks know how that goes when the time comes.

Makes sense, but I didn't know.

Years ago when a heart surgery and some other operations were televised I did catch the knee replacement episode. I bet you could find something like it on youtube if you were interested. I was most taken by the electric saw and the very elaborate doweling jig used in the operation. Personally, it's the sort of thing I'd watch after I was back home. Have a speedy recovery!

 

[Alligatorob]

Personally, it's the sort of thing I'd watch after I was back home. Have a speedy recovery!

Me too, that video can wait... Thanks!

 

[jet]

did you know the Coccyc is also called the tail bone

 

[helenbacque]

Never broken one, but I am getting both knees replace in October. And as I understand it they will saw off the ends of my femurs and replace them to make the new knees... Will let folks know how that goes when the time comes.

Makes sense, but I didn't know.

I had both knees replaced (6 month interval) about 15 years ago and they now function great with no pain. The rehab was painful but worth every minute. I understand same surgery now is far less invasive and rehab much easier. Good luck with yours.

 

[Alligatorob]

Thanks @helenbacque that is good to know.

My surgeon was reluctant to do both knees at the same time, it took some convincing. I just did not want 2 operations and 2 recoveries... One fear is that after doing it once I might not go back for the second. I need it in both.

 

[Della]

A few years ago I fell down the steps from the house to the garage taking my full weight on my left knee as it hit the concrete. I broke my tibia, my femur, knocked my knee out of joint and tore all four ligaments at once. I did not drop the puppy I was holding.

It took a few weeks before I could put any weight on that leg and then a few months of rehab after that. All the bones healed fine but ligaments don't heal very well and a couple of mine just didn't. So every step i take bends my knee inward a little since there's no MCL there.

I would love to have a knee replacement since the ligaments are built into the artificial knee but my surgeon says I shouldn't chance it because all the surgery I've already had has killed lots of nerves in the skin and it might not heal from further cutting.

 

[helenbacque]

Thanks @helenbacque that is good to know.

My surgeon was reluctant to do both knees at the same time, it took some convincing. I just did not want 2 operations and 2 recoveries... One fear is that after doing it once I might not go back for the second. I need it in both.

I have a high tolerance level for pain but I'm not certain I would have been able to do the very necessary rehab if I had done them together. When mine were done, the surgery would have been useless without the follow-up rehab but newer surgical methods may make it easier.

Sorry for disrupting thread.

 

[horseless carriage]

Years ago when a heart surgery and some other operations were televised I did catch the knee replacement episode. I bet you could find something like it on youtube if you were interested. I was most taken by the electric saw and the very elaborate doweling jig used in the operation. Personally, it's the sort of thing I'd watch after I was back home. Have a speedy recovery!

Back in 2018, I had replacement surgery on my hip. The operation was not done under general anaesthetic, at my age the risk was deemed to great. However the local anaesthetic was so powerful it caused me to drift in and out of consciousness. I felt nothing but I did hear the saw, it was a surreal experience.

At the first post operation appointment my surgeon brought up the images that you can see on his desk computer. I asked if it was possible to have a copy. "Give me your phone number," he said, a few seconds later my phone went "ping" and there was my shiny new hip.

The screws that you can clearly see in the last photo always make me smile, they look like some carpenter's screws.

 

[Alligatorob]

I have a high tolerance level for pain but I'm not certain I would have been able to do the very necessary rehab if I had done them together. When mine were done, the surgery would have been useless without the follow-up rehab but newer surgical methods may make it easier.

Thanks, I am trying to mentally prepare myself for the recovery period, I know it will be painful. At my doctors suggestion I have also been doing a lot of leg exercises, he says that will help.

He also said to expect to spend a week to 10 days in a rehab facility with twice a day PT, and then to have to keep up the PT for a time afterwards. Also I go to a gym regularly and use a trainer, she has worked with people who have had the surgery before, so as soon as I can be I am going back to the gym and weight lifting. Think that will help, but who knows.

I have a good friend, a year older than me, who did the same double replacement two years ago. He has warned me about the recovery, but is quite happy he got it done. He went from barely being able to walk to running and playing softball regularly.

I don't think this is much of a disruption, we are talking about damaged femurs.

 

[dko1951]

A few years ago I fell down the steps from the house to the garage taking my full weight on my left knee as it hit the concrete. I broke my tibia, my femur, knocked my knee out of joint and tore all four ligaments at once. I did not drop the puppy I was holding.

It took a few weeks before I could put any weight on that leg and then a few months of rehab after that. All the bones healed fine but ligaments don't heal very well and a couple of mine just didn't. So every step i take bends my knee inward a little since there's no MCL there.

I would love to have a knee replacement since the ligaments are built into the artificial knee but my surgeon says I shouldn't chance it because all the surgery I've already had has killed lots of nerves in the skin and it might not heal from further cutting.

Get a second opinion. I have had so many surgeries on my left I can't remember them all. Skin nerves don't affect the inner workings that are causing you discomfort. I had some numbness but it was not an issue in the day to day. If I had chronic pain, I wouldn't hesitate to alleviate it with a surgical procedure. I ended up having my leg amputated after 30 years of attempts to "fix" the problem. No more pain or numbness, Just an occasional "phantom" sensation. Still haven't got used to feeling an itch on a foot that isn't there.