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Original poster

Fractured femur (14)

14 replies

BabyST · 31/10/2022 20:55

Is there any advice on how to help a 14 year old boy at home with a fractured femur. He’s had surgery today and might be home tomorrow or Wednesday we are not sure yet.

We will have all his meds and bits ready. Favour foods and a comfortable place for him to sleep in his bed or make space for him downstairs so he’s not in bed all of the time.

How can I keep entertained for a few weeks while he is off school

OP posts:
Debbie453 · 02/11/2022 21:32

Make sure he has regular company from friends to keep him going while (if) house bound. Hope he gets better soon op

Angelik · 02/11/2022 21:53

This won't be popular but he needs physio for the rest if his body. Takes only a few days for muscles to start wasting.

POTC · 02/11/2022 22:03

Will he be able to do stairs comfortably?

Original poster
BabyST · 02/11/2022 22:46

@Angelik Thank you I hadn’t thought of that. Yes we will give him and week or so to recover from surgery and I’ll arrange an physio appointment.

@POTC Stairs is currently a challenge but we have space for him to comfortably sleep down stairs. He has managed the stairs tonight but it was a challenge

OP posts:
hippoherostandinghere · 02/11/2022 22:53

Your poor DS, a fractured femur is the worst break possible, I really hope his surgery went well and he's not in too much pain. Sounds like your doing all you can to accommodate him. My DD fractured her femur but she was only 5 and was treated in a big hip spika cast so managed to avoid surgery.

I'd say the stairs will be tricky for a while so it's good you have a space both upstairs and down stairs, he'll soon find which one he prefers. I wouldn't be too concerned about muscle wastage yet as I'm assuming he is now mobile? Just keep him topped up with pain meds and regular walks at least up and down the hall every few hours. DD was be bound for the first 10 days in a splint and then in cast for 6 weeks. She has had no long lasting problems since.
Speedy recovery to DS.

hippoherostandinghere · 02/11/2022 22:56

As for keeping him entertained I think in these circumstances Netflix, x box or whatever tech he's into should do the job. If you can't lie up watching endless tv in these circumstances when can you! Will school provide you with the work he's missing while he recovers? That could keep him busy.

User963 · 02/11/2022 22:58

I fractured my femur. I didn’t loose muscle from being immobile as the leg which wasn’t broken was fine. Lost a lot of muscle in the broken leg though which I think must be speeded up by all the tissue damage. Definitely do lots and lots of physio.
I think seeing friends is a big thing as I was pretty miserable after my break. Lots of hugs from you too if he’ll still accept them!
lots of box sets and books. We moved the tv into the bedroom. He might not sleep well for a few weeks due to the pain so he might find any School work hard to concentrate on but after a while might give it a go to relieve boredom.
I hope he heals quickly.

Angelik · 03/11/2022 07:11

@BabyST physio - get it booked now! Waits are long. You will likely have to be very very proactive with follow up care. Sadly, NHS struggling, as we know. Had I not been I would still be sitting here in cast hastily applied at 4am in morning in April when I broke my femur (knocked over by car)!

Original poster
BabyST · 03/11/2022 20:11

Thank you all,

We have a good plan with pain meds and on Laxcido to try prevent constipation. He is a very young 14 and has been wanted me, hubby or oldest brother’s girlfriend by his side. We have moved his Xbox so he has that in the living room and have set him up pretty well.

He is pretty drugged up for school work but once that gets better we will get him mentally stimulated and in a few weeks back to school hopefully.

We will go private for physio that’s not an issue. I know the NHS is struggling I work for them too. Everyone involved in his care Saturday night when he fell off the high wall and the specialist hospital London have been amazing. Thank you so much xxx

OP posts:
greenacrylicpaint · 03/11/2022 20:23

great that you have access to physio for him. that will make a difference for his recovery.

get some cable binders, they are great to kill the itch under the cast without injuring the skin (you can dip them in moisturiser as well).
get a cast cover (limbo or similar) so he can have a proper wash...

when dc had a broken leg they were back at school after a few days. school accomodated that very well and they had an efficient buddy system to carry stuff around.

wishing him a speedy recovery!

User963 · 03/11/2022 22:17

They don’t use casts for broken femurs anymore (unless young children). It’s surgery and a nail down the bone/ plates.

hippoherostandinghere · 07/11/2022 19:27

@BabyST how is your DS doing now? Hope the pain has eased off a bit and he's managing to move around a bit?

Original poster
BabyST · 08/11/2022 19:59

hippoherostandinghere · 07/11/2022 19:27

@BabyST how is your DS doing now? Hope the pain has eased off a bit and he's managing to move around a bit?

@hippoherostandinghere Thank you he is feeling a bit better, we are getting there! He is going back slowly to school next week so that will stimulate him a bit more he is rather board

OP posts:
hippoherostandinghere · 08/11/2022 22:58

Glad to hear he is doing ok and hopefully all will go well for his return to school 🤞

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