I broke my leg on Wednesday night. I am not talking about a small fracture here. I am talking about snapping my fibula in two pieces. The x-ray was awesome.
After the doctor showed me the x-ray, I was a little shocked. I was surprised that it was broken (I was hobbling around on it) and that the image was so clear. It was just a bone in two pieces. Not sure why, but I thought it was going to be a little more esoteric and harder to see a break if one was there. Not to knock radiologists, but if all x-rays look like that, I think I could do it.
After it happened, I was rushed to an orthopedist. He did not put me in a cast (I thought this was odd, but I was assured this was common practice now), he did not give me pain pills (which would have been appreciated since I am in immense pain), or give me much guidance on how to get around. He just gave me some crutches. Was he really a doctor?
At any rate, this has sucked. It was mildly entertaining at first because I have never broken a bone. People were volunteering to help, get me things, etc. As soon as I got back to my house, the realization sunk in: I can't carry anything (plates, glasses of water, etc). It's horrible. I can't walk or feed the dog or do much of anything. I have had to watch a lot of bad TV.
Work is going to be interesting tomorrow. I will have to explain the injury for the 15,000th time and I won't be able to carry things around the office. It's even more daunting knowing I will be like this for the next 6 weeks.
My goal now is to design a cup/bottle holder for my crutches. Another thought was to tie a rope around a koozie so I can put it around my neck. Might be messy though.
I can still drink wine, assuming someone brings me a glass. The problem is my wife has to get it out of the basement and I'd rather her not see how many bottles are already in the Eurocave.
Sleeping also presents certain challenges as well as changing clothes, and showering. Forget driving a car too.
So in conclusion, broken legs suck. If any of you are suffering from a similar injury, I hope you feel better soon. I would not wish this on my worst enemy. I have never felt so helpless in my entire life.
Sorry for the rant, but I have to vent and post this somewhere. I know this doesn't qualify as travel (since I am essentially immobile), so hopefully my story will offer some entertainment to those of who can walk. Don't take it for granted!

As I was typing this, I have decided to throw a massive celebration when the crutches are gone. Keeno Looses the Crutches '08. I am thinking about special wines for the event. What would be appropriate? Certainly Champagne will be in order. Need some others too. Any thoughts would be welcome. What wines say liberation/freedom/independence? A Jefferson bottle? (just kidding) What meal could I cook to match? Can't wait.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Keeno,

That blows. I know. I broke a leg bone even worse than that one. I broke a femur. Try that one sometime. I was admitted to the hospital, put into traction for a week to straighten it back out before they operated and placed a pin in it. A little over two weeks in the first time and another week later when they removed the pin. The morphine was fantastic though. Loved it.

Have fun hop-a-long. Be sure and pull a Champagne when you lose the crutches. No better way to celebrate.

Dude, sorry to hear that. A buddy of mine recently flipped his mountain bike and broke both arms and strained his neck in the crash. His wife has to “wipe” him after he takes a deuce. They are taking their marriage to the next level over the next couple of weeks.

quote:

Originally posted by GlennK:
They are taking their marriage to the next level over the next couple of weeks.

Sad for him, admittedly, but truly hilarious!

quote:

Originally posted by GlennK:
Dude, sorry to hear that. A buddy of mine recently flipped his mountain bike and broke both arms and strained his neck in the crash. His wife has to “wipe” him after he takes a deuce. They are taking their marriage to the next level over the next couple of weeks.

I shouldn't have, but your post made me laugh out loud. That's worse - hands down. I will have to tell my wife. She is not doing so well with all this, but least she doesn't have to do that. She was supposed to be going to New York next week. I keep telling her to go and that I will be okay. The bottle holder should be ready by then.

WIML: You're right. Femur would suck badly. Way more than this.

Sorry to hear about your misfortune. Get well soon.

quote:

Originally posted by Keeno:
Not to knock radiologists, but if all x-rays look like that, I think I could do it.

Shhhhhhh! Don't let the secret out. I might not ever get paid. Sounds like your film is what we sometimes call a "janitor case." Even the janitor from across the room can make the diagnosis.

How did you break it?
That sucks. I had ACL reconstruction when we lived in NY (on the 4th floor of a walk up, no less) and JC had to carry me up the stairs for months on end.

You would not believe how many people will let a door slam in your face until you're on crutches and actually depend on them to hold the door.

I have had 3 orthopedic surgeries now and they all suck. The ACL was the worst, for sure, but they are all bad.

Hope you are up and about soon, but by then you may be spoiled with people having to bring you stuff...

I hope you and tiger recover quickly!

quote:

Originally posted by Keeno:

After it happened, I was rushed to an orthopedist. He did not put me in a cast (I thought this was odd, but I was ***ured this was common practice now), he did not give me pain pills (which would have been appreciated since I am in immense pain), or give me much guidance on how to get around. He just gave me some crutches. Was he really a doctor?

Geez, where'd you go? Doc in the Box?

Keeno, I'm sorry you were hurt and now must deal with crutches, not to mention the constant explaining. I hope you heal quickly.

Red Guy: If I can get a copy of the x-ray (I actually really want one), I will take a picture and post it. I think it was definitely a janitor case. The lady that took the picture was a nurse or assistant or something. After the film was ready, she came back in with a wheelchair. I asked if it was broken and she said she couldn't read x-rays. When the doctor came in with the x-ray, I just starting laughing. It was beyond obvious. I think the nurse didn't want to be the one to break the news.

mona lisa vito: I broke it playing kickball. Yes, I was playing kickball. You all can laugh, but it is fun. It is an adult league sponsored by a local pizza joint, and the players get 20% off food and drinks throughout the season plus 2 nights of free pizza and beer.

The injury was neither my fault nor the result of me doing anything stupid. There was a guy on the other team that was way too intense. In fact, the inning prior to the accident, I looked at my buddy and said "that guy needs to bring the intensity level down a couple of notches." I'll be the first to admit that I am pretty competitive (our team is undefeated), but this guy was a little scary.
At any rate, I was pitching and trying to back up the catcher for a play at the plate. It just so happens that the same guy was trying to score from third. Instead of letting up, he crushed me, Pete Rose style. A little too much for kickball in my opinion, but that's the way it goes. I didn't think I had broken anything. I just limped off the field cursing the other guy for being a dumb ass.

mneeley: The doctor was legit. I got some feedback from other doctors today and apparently it is normal for a broken fibula. The bone did not have to be set. It was already where it needed to be. He said the cast would just isolate the leg more and cause atrophy. I am sure there will be some of that anyway, but supposedly not as bad.

Thanks for all the good wishes everyone. I just needed to vent a little. The way the injury occurred just got me frustrated. Just sucks not being able to do a lot of things I enjoy. I will stop bitching though because I DO NOT have it nearly as bad as GlennK's buddy. My femur is fine too, and my ACL works great. Clearly, it could have been much worse, and I am very lucky it wasn't.

quote:

Originally posted by Keeno:
There was a guy on the other team that was way too intense. In fact, the inning prior to the accident, I looked at my buddy and said "that guy needs to bring the intensity level down a couple of notches." ...It just so happens that the same guy was trying to score from third. Instead of letting up, he crushed me, Pete Rose style. A little too much for kickball in my opinion, but that's the way it goes. I didn't think I had broken anything. I just limped off the field cursing the other guy for being a dumb ass.

Irwin?

This should be right up your alley, no?

i feel your pain Keeno

when i was about 11-12 years old, i was in a head on dirtbike accident. wearing full offroad gear (probably saved my leg), i broke my left tibia and both sides of my left ankle. i was in a full leg cast for probably 4 months, and a "walking" cast from the knee down for another 3 months... leg has never been the same, and actually (i think), ive been avoiding having my left knee checked out (now 29) for the last few years. dont know if it's residual from that but i wouldnt be surprised if i have some cartilage issues (i snowboarded until about 24, and now play golf, so im stressing it bad). in the mornings sometimes, and during the winter, my left leg still bothers me a little, probably will for the rest of my life.

anyway, hang in there, and be diligent about any physical therapy you may have in the coming months.

KSC02:
Keeno knows how to find me. Depends on the law of the place where the kickball game was. I forgot where Keeno lives.

I would make this observation..... There are tons of doctors out there who have clinics specializing in "Sports Medicine". Well, if athletics was so good for you, how come people get injured at it?
I mean, did you ever hear of a "Chess Medicine" clinic? Much safer.
When I get an urge to exercise, I just lay down until it passes.

I broke my femur going on two and a half years ago skiing in the Italian Alps next to the Matterhorn. Either my bindings were too tight or they were frozen on, because when I finally stopped, both skis were still on and my left foot was pointed backwards. I didn't really think twice about it, so I popped my ski off and flipped my leg around, which was more than painful. Until I saw the x-ray I was convinced I just had a minor tear and the Italian doctors were quacks. I had to be airlifted off the mountain and spent 16 days in the hospital in Aosta, Italy. One more senior the two surgeons assigned to me refused to perform the surgery until insurance had paid or given a guarantee to pay. Needless to say, none of the three insurnace companies that I had policies with wanted to pay. So after not being fed for three days because "I was going to have surgery that afternoon," I finally had surgery and started my anemic, slow recovery. I could probably pop off about 10-15 pages telling the story, so I'll spare everyone. I'll just say that reading The World's Most Dangerous Places (which oddly enough did not include Italian hospitals) and racing 70-year olds in wheel chairs got me through the longest 16 days of my life.

Three months on crutches in Rome (which really isn't too crutch friendly)was pretty awesome.



The x-ray that convinced me I really had broken my femur

My new hardware

New hardware again

Keeno,

Truly sorry to hear about your misfortune.

And too bad it was kickball and not baseball. If it were baseball, at least you could have had your new pitcher drill the guy next time he came to the plate....

quote:

At any rate, I was pitching and trying to back up the catcher for a play at the plate. It just so happens that the same guy was trying to score from third. Instead of letting up, he crushed me, Pete Rose style.

Keeno: Did you hold on to the ball for the out? It would serve the jack-a$$ right. That happened to me a few years ago. The guy was about 220 lbs. I held on and showed the ump for the out. I walked away and acted like it was no big deal. I was sore for a week. Thankfully, I didn't break anything.

Edited for typos. Man, my typing sucks.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Red guy in a blue state,

Great game?

Crutches suck. Even worse is the use of a walker. Had that last year when I had my new hip installed.

As for crutches, get a canvas bag, and hold the strap on the hand hold. Surprised what you can carry.

Have a speedy recovery

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Florida Wino,

quote:

Originally posted by Red guy in a blue state:

quote:

At any rate, I was pitching and trying to back up the catcher for a play at the plate. It just so happens that the same guy was trying to score from third. Instead of letting up, he crushed me, Pete Rose style.

Keeno: Did you hold on to the ball for the out? It would serve the jack-a$$ right. That happened to me a few years ago. The guy was about 220 lbs. I held on an showed the ump for the out. I walked away and acted like it was no big deal. I was sore for a week. Thakfully, I didn't break anything.

He was out! However, I have just learned that he and his team pitched in and got me a gift -a bottle of wine I think. A very nice gesture in my opinion.

Keeno...best of luck dealing with the trials and tribs of this thing. Makes you appreciate your health though, eh? Keep us posted!

quote:

Originally posted by Keeno:
It is an adult league sponsored by a local pizza joint, and the players get 20% off food and drinks throughout the season plus 2 nights of free pizza and beer.

You still get to go for the free beer, right?

Keeno,

I feel for you. I broke my leg about 21 years ago (spiral fracture of both bones in the left leg) when I slipped on the ice in my own damn driveway of all places. In those days they did put you in a cast (I would imagine that they still do if you break the tibia), and I have two rods in the tibia. The leg still gets sore in cold weather. The worst part was getting around on crutches. (I was on them for 3 months.) It took forever to get anywhere.

Be thankful you only broke the fibula, that will heal fairly quickly as it doesn't bear most of the weight. Here's hoping you get back on your feet real soon.