Via Posted October 15, 2018 Share Posted October 15, 2018 Just to give a bit of a update on my never ending recovery...Was at hospital last week for check up and my x-ray looked no better than one back in May bones still separated very little regrowth They (registrar) are blaming it on vaping, seem to be a lot of mixed opinions on vaping effects on bone healing. My surgeon told me it was ok and wouldn't effect it and read a few reports from surgeons advising people to switch from cigarettes to vaping to aid recovery. But just as many reports from other surgeons saying that it's just as detrimental as smoking.Anyway their advice... Come back in 6 weeks and we will see how it's doing (I'm sure there will be loads of difference compared to previous 6 months )To top it off my back has got really bad now as well, at first I just put it down to increase in stress on that side (opposite to injured side) but getting unbearable now and feeling more nerve related as it's radiating down leg into foot (when it gets really bad my little toe and 2 next to it feel like they are frozen).So been a frustrated last few days, plus cold weather coming in now so expecting pain to start shooting up, know from previous breaks I end up being a human weather detector Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 15, 2018 Share Posted October 15, 2018 Depending how you are minded there are some herbal preparations that some might argue help, for example comfrey which has a long tradition of use with wounds and broken bones. There is some scientific evidence to suggest its efficacy, so might be worth looking at. like I say depends if you believe in that sort of thing or think its quackery.Either way hope you see some progress before then next check up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slowlycatchymonkey Posted October 15, 2018 Share Posted October 15, 2018 Sorry to hear the manky legs still manky. After six months you have moved to ‘non-union’ which is oft caused by poor nutrition and/or excessive bone movement. As your not an ol’ codger yet I’m guessing it’s the excessive movement disrupting the growth process. I remember smokings quite bad for bone growth cos of the reduction in O2 but I have no idea about the nicotine on its own- sounds from what you’re saying they don’t know either!I’m guessing that big gap and the bones being too mobile has caused this. Time to ask for a definitive plan and a timescale it’s going to happen over. Back pain is nasty, have you considered seeing a chiropractor? They are pricey but this is the sort of out of alignment problem they’re really good at. Good ones also know a lot about breaks and have friends in the right places. Just a thought. My husbands chiropractor has saved him from a lot of hassle on more than one occasion because of who he knows.I’m really looking forward to the day I hear your fixed and on a bike. As for the cold I have a billion layer system I can let you in on that will keep you toasty... and as a consequence render the peg immobile! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geofferz Posted October 15, 2018 Share Posted October 15, 2018 Sorry bud. Could be worse though right? Your hands could be broken too then you couldn't while away the days on here could you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Via Posted October 15, 2018 Author Share Posted October 15, 2018 [mention]goat[/mention] I'm mixed opinion tbh, at end of day most drugs are based off a herbal variant and there's no doubt certain herbal substances have an effect on the body (just look at most illegal substances ) but at same time know it attracts a lot of quackery (women sticking crystals inside themselves springs to mind)[mention]Slowlycatchymonkey[/mention] used to see an osteopath but need to find a new one as have private medical insurance but they've said they won't honor anymore from old osteopath as they weren't happy with their licence. Because tibia was nailed I've never been in a cast or similar and they've been encouraging use of the leg since I was discharged... But I am certainly feeling like an old codger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Via Posted October 15, 2018 Author Share Posted October 15, 2018 Sorry bud. Could be worse though right? Your hands could be broken too then you couldn't while away the days on here could you. that is true Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slowlycatchymonkey Posted October 15, 2018 Share Posted October 15, 2018 Reckon you need the good old crack of a snappy chiropractor followed up with deep tissue massage or osteopathy. The bone movement you described sounded like far too much. I can’t remember a lot about my orthopaedic placements, probably cos they were in 1996 and I’ve gin’d a lot of brain cells away since then! Spect if you google bone healing it’ll go into the types of healing and what complications slow or stop recovery, Id put money on movement being a top cause. The “come back in 6 weeks” is unlikely to have anything to do with seeing more healing, more likely he needs to discuss it with someone else. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s reluctant to share that piece of work with his colleagues. The back pain will drag you down, perhaps make that a priority? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilM Posted October 15, 2018 Share Posted October 15, 2018 [mention]Via[/mention] I used osteopaths for years prior to surgery.A disc would pop out (rugby n work related) and they would put me in agony for 30 mins then I'd walk out sorted. Deffo recommend if you can find a good one.There are some clowns about tho so be wary of very short waiting lists.A good one will not be able to see you the same afternoon.I used to use the soak in the bath comfry. Epsom salts etc.Also the only decent pain killing cream is volteral as it is medicated.Bar that get back on morphine Joking aside. Good luck with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
learningtofly Posted October 15, 2018 Share Posted October 15, 2018 Oooh, sorry to hear that - sounds nasty. Best of luck with any future treatment, and hopefully the bones in your leg will start behaving themselves soon.Was the injury a riding one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Via Posted October 15, 2018 Author Share Posted October 15, 2018 Yeah will see what other osteopaths I can find round here, only thing that really helps is hot water bottle laying on that for an hour loosens back up nicely, have got a tens machine as get a dodgy back now and then anyway but think I left it in work [mention]learningtofly[/mention] yeah afraid so, there is a thread on here about the injury somewhere, basics are went over bars and face planted tarmac, then bike landed on my leg, open fracture of tibia and fibula Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
learningtofly Posted October 15, 2018 Share Posted October 15, 2018 Yeah will see what other osteopaths I can find round here, only thing that really helps is hot water bottle laying on that for an hour loosens back up nicely, have got a tens machine as get a dodgy back now and then anyway but think I left it in work @learningtofly yeah afraid so, there is a thread on here about the injury somewhere, basics are went over bars and face planted tarmac, then bike landed on my leg, open fracture of tibia and fibula Damn. Really sorry to hear that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slowlycatchymonkey Posted October 15, 2018 Share Posted October 15, 2018 [mention]learningtofly[/mention] it’s a pretty gruesome break so brace yourself! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
learningtofly Posted October 15, 2018 Share Posted October 15, 2018 Ouch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bender Posted October 15, 2018 Share Posted October 15, 2018 @via that sucks, you could have strapped a cricket bat to your leg and fixed it quicker than them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Via Posted October 15, 2018 Author Share Posted October 15, 2018 @via that sucks, you could have strapped a cricket bat to your leg and fixed it quicker than them. Tell me about it, my biggest worry is I'm not exactly light and my leg is just being held together by a titanium rod, read a few horror stories of people with same have had the rod snap where bone didn't heal and eventually metal fatigued Think I'll have to do a hutchy and make my own carbon fibre cast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bender Posted October 15, 2018 Share Posted October 15, 2018 I can weld you something but it will be heavy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 15, 2018 Share Posted October 15, 2018 Sorry to hear about your situation...... Hope all starts to go well for you soon. How's the 3D printing going? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Via Posted October 15, 2018 Author Share Posted October 15, 2018 Sorry to hear about your situation...... Hope all starts to go well for you soon. How's the 3D printing going? Cheers. Loving it! Can do so much, done spacers for blinds in bedroom, replaced a missing wheel on dishwasher, plus loads of other small projects and printer upgrades.Currently designing and printing an entire new gantry setup for X axis which will have dual extrusion. Once that's done going to rebuild frame using aluminium as with other upgrades I've shoved in it now I'm pushing limits of frame (upgraded controller and stepper motors so can print at insane speeds really accurately but starting to shake frame).Got few bigger projects planned once I've got printer running perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 16, 2018 Share Posted October 16, 2018 I do not trust NHS doctors one little bit. I have seen nothing but incompetence. I have been victim of Doctors mistakes and misdiagnosis due to an unwillingness to examine professionally and simply making assumptions without any investigation because it was the easiest way to get rid of me and move on to the next victim.The truth is 30% of broken bones do not knit together. This is patient dependent and there is no consistent evidence of cause yet.I have this very problem and a very high ranking specialist advised me that I am one of the unlucky 30%.There could be a number of reasons of course. A prognosis is dependant upon known histories of past patients and if there is an unknown factor that affects recovery rates from illness or trauma, then the prognosis may not be realistic.I chose not to have my bones pinned. I have not regretted that decision.Medical science is always moving forward and growing let us hope that treatments appear for patients that have problems with their recovery. And above all let us hope that diagnosis improves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fastbob Posted October 20, 2018 Share Posted October 20, 2018 Mate , so sorry to hear that progress is slow . I could never understand why the bones were not screwed together in the first place but I'm not a doctor. That x-ray you posted still comes into my head every time I'm tempted to ride in jeans , especially in the hot weather we had . So far I have always worn my armoured leathers and boots so although I haven't had a spill some good might have come from your misfortune . Keep soldiering on and know that some day all this grief will be behind you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Via Posted October 21, 2018 Author Share Posted October 21, 2018 Mate , so sorry to hear that progress is slow . I could never understand why the bones were not screwed together in the first place but I'm not a doctor. That x-ray you posted still comes into my head every time I'm tempted to ride in jeans , especially in the hot weather we had . So far I have always worn my armoured leathers and boots so although I haven't had a spill some good might have come from your misfortune . Keep soldiering on and know that some day all this grief will be behind you. Cheers mate Basically because of size of break (well two in tibia, it's broken about half way down and near the ankle) so would have needed a lot of pins and plates this way I have one rod running inside the bone screwed top and bottom which whilst it does give some movement it is a lot stronger than plates, if plated the chances are I would still be stuck in bed as they can't take the weight that rod can, they're more to prevent bone moving than reinforce it. As for not healing personally because of the movement I think that's what is the cause, the bones do look further apart than they should be, but they should have been able to get better alignment still using just the nail, I'm wondering if it has been aggravated by using it too soon but the hospital were the ones to push for full weight bearing quickly.The gravel rash has healed ok (pic below), skin is still a bit nerve damaged and feels numb, certainly would never risk riding in normal jeans knowing how easily denim disintegrates but don't think a suit of armour would have stopped the break Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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