Broke mine some 20+ years ago in my early 30s. My recovery went like this:
First week in a rehab facility where I was the youngest person by a good 30 or 40 years. Sat in a chair, immense pain, with attempts to lift my knee an inch or so
After 2-3 weeks I got the OK from the doc to get on the lousy recumbent exercise bike. Put it on the lowest resistance, really just to get mobility and work any scar tissue
About 6-8 weeks found a deal on a used Computrainer and started doing indoor workouts
2-3 months after transitioned from crutches to a cane
3.5 months after was my first trip to Japan for work - not fun hauling luggage with a cane
4 months after got the OK to bike outside
6 months after got the OK to start running
My lateral strength in the affected length was compromised. Walking hurt, but once I started running those muscles really developed quickly and the pain went away.
Wow, thanks. Sounds like it was a long road. Did you feel like you had the crutches for a long time? How’d you break yours, cycling?
Crash on the bike. Do wonder if I had a stress fracture from too much running. Had crutches for 1 to 2 months as I just couldn’t put much weight on the leg. Really by the 3rd month I was getting around OK, albeit with the cane. Would still hurt at times. Still vividly remember the one night in Tokyo when I got up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom and hit my foot on a slight ledge. The intense pain certainly woke me up.
I fractured my hip socket/acetabulum and pelvis/ilium on 29th January of this year. I completed my first sprint distance triathlon back today, 4th June. I haven’t experienced any pain or difficulty, came off crutches after 6 weeks, started running again at week 9, first interval session at week 12, this is now week 17 I think. I don’t really think about it much.
I injured it being bucked off a young horse and falling from a height onto frozen ground. Couldn’t get up and had to wait for the ambulance while worrying about getting hypothermia! Very painful even lying down in a hospital bed for the first 4 days, slight improvement thereafter but couldn’t get out of bed into a chair until day 4 in hospital when I also managed on a walker for the first time, crutches on day 5 (I was determined to get out of hospital asap) and out of hospital on day 6. Swimming after 2 weeks with a pull buoy. Riding the static trainer after 4 1/2 weeks and back on a different horse walking only at 5 weeks. I think in retrospect I could have managed both a week earlier. Dispensed with the crutches at week 6 minus 1 day. I think I slightly frightened the consultant by going to the 6 1/2 week clinic and immediately getting up out of the chair and walking without the crutches when he said my x rays were good. I actually started competing at week 12 in an equestrian jumping competition.
I’m in the UK and didn’t need surgery and haven’t received any follow up advice, I did go to private physio for a bit and I had advice from other showjumpers who had fractured their pelvis about how long it might take, although no-one with a fractured hip socket. Horse riding and looking after the horses makes you strong and is good for recovery as you get a bit of lateral stretch without being fully weight bearing. Bear in mind I’m not just sitting on the horse while it walks slowly! F54. I do tend to heal very fast and eat an ultra healthy diet, lots of vegetables, chicken and fish, protein, no alcohol or takeaways. Vitamin supplementation, plus glucosamine/chondroitin/MSM were optimal especially considering the time of year.
Thanks. I’m non-weight bearing right now, and supposed to be until my next visit in three weeks. I can feel how tight the muscles in my leg are when I am seated and try to allow my knees to bend. Quads and hip flexors, I suppose. I wonder if there’s anything I can be doing to make the upcoming rehab easier, quicker, whatever, but I am trying to stay disciplined and not move around too much. Is this what you did?
Hey. I’m Triathelete probably close to 10 with more than 20 half’s. I’m 55. I’m going through this at the same time. I am at 4 weeks. Oh and I’m an orthopedic surgeon and hip specialist. I fell on a training ride at mile 40. Just slipped crossing a train track… a little wet. Once fixed the dice are case. We are waiting to see if it heals, heals well and we don’t have a late blood supply problem.
For healing and healing well I encourage you to follow your surgeons and advice and go slow. I am staying non WB for around 8 weeks….depending on healing. First X-rays were good.
The big question is how to avoid the late blood supply problem that occurs once in 5 people. There is no answer to that.
Helpful things. Good bone density (we all should have that), not to heavy, don’t smoke, fixed as as soon as possible after the fracture. Finally the quality of the repair.
We the patients have no control on those things. No particular meds have been shown to help. No particular therapy.
My fracture was displaced. So they had to reduce it before the screws. That’s sub-optimal… Undisplaced is way better. But I tick off the other good boxes.
Don’t start before advised to do so. I suspect I will hold off running 4-5 months except perhaps in a pool. Cycling when X-ray looks ok 6-8 weeks inside. These fractures always collapse a bit so you will lose some leg length and crest an imbalance. This whole thing sucks. But there is light. Many others on this forum have overcome this injury. We both need to be patient. Easier said right….
This is the longest pause without running or cycling I have had in 20 years. But we have to move forward. There is no reverse on this process.
Chin up and carry on. Now I’m trying to talk to myself.
I’m a year out from hip fracture and surgery. I agree with everything you’ve written, listen to the docs and take your time and be patient.
Swimming came first. Now, I’m back to road and mountain biking, and just starting to run on trails. My 8 minute miles are now 13 minute miles but it feels good just the same……
You’ll get back out there. You’re right, no pills or dietary supplements can help, as the bone just has to heal. I hope you had a good surgeon. Mine was excellent and knew I was a triathlete. I say this because during the physical therapy sessions my therapist noted how well I’d been put back together. I hope the same for you.
I’m a year out from hip fracture and surgery. I agree with everything you’ve written, listen to the docs and take your time and be patient.
Swimming came first. Now, I’m back to road and mountain biking, and just starting to run on trails. My 8 minute miles are now 13 minute miles but it feels good just the same……