Hi,I am Dr. Gopal Goel (Orthopaedic Surgeon). I will be looking into your question and guiding you through the process. Please write your question below.
My friend had a broken leg ten months ago and the doctor put a rod in her leg (femur). That happened when she was on vacation so when we got home, her own home doctor decided to replace the rod four months after the intial rod sugery was done. Now its been six months since that latest rod replacement and she is still in a lot of pain. The pain meds she takes helps a little but she is still suffering. She has had therapy and still is under doc's care. My concern is that she is still having lots of pain even 6 months after the last surgery. She is showing signs of serious depression and I am very worried about her mental and physical state. Is it normal for her to be in so much pain from the leg this long after the surgery? Is there a time when the rod is removed?? does the rod stay in forever? When I ask her how she feels she starts crying and has to hang up the phone, she says things like... I don't think Ill ever get better and I think I will be in pain forever. Im very worried.
thanks for choosing health care majic.your friend is lucky to have friend like you.any way lets come to the point.in case of broken femur putting rod is routine.But this much of pain as you describe is not common.It is possible that the rod inside is hurting her.Your doctor is best person who can guide you about that.pl.also other then orthopedic surgeon talk to your family doctor.Give her hope that no pain stays for ever and ask her to keep herself busy in some activities all the day and with friends like you she can not go in to depression.
Thank you for the reply. If it is the rod that is causing the continued pain, what do they do for it? Do they remove the rod?? if the bone is still weak and not healing properly what happens? She is 65 yrs old and her bones are not healing as well as the doctor would like. THis seems bad, if the bones are weak can they remove the rod? If the rod is causing the pain and we believe it is... what can they do?
Hi,
Customarily a rod is removed from the femur after 1 year and earlier if complications occur. If she's 65 years old, she is likely to have osteoporosis and delayed healing too. Causes of pain could be any of the following-
- wound site pain/infection.
- bone infection
- loose implant
She needs to consult the Orthopaedician who treated her.
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Broken Femur (leg) With Surgery (rod Put In Leg)
thanks for choosing health care majic.your friend is lucky to have friend like you.any way lets come to the point.in case of broken femur putting rod is routine.But this much of pain as you describe is not common.It is possible that the rod inside is hurting her.Your doctor is best person who can guide you about that.pl.also other then orthopedic surgeon talk to your family doctor.Give her hope that no pain stays for ever and ask her to keep herself busy in some activities all the day and with friends like you she can not go in to depression.