My mother claims she can't walk much 3 yrs after a fracture in her lower leg...

[Nancery]

In July 2012 my mother fractured her lower leg. She was at least 18 stone at the time and is now a bit bigger. She refuses to walk anywhere other than the bare minimum and is very out of breath if she does (even just going up the stairs.) She says she won't walk further as her leg still hurts, although she won't see anyone about it, but I am guessing that her size is a big issue (which will also explain why she won't see anyone about it still hurting) rather than 'the NHS are only interested in fixing bones, but there is a lot of other stuff that can cause problems for a long time afterwards.'

NB: I know it's not really any of my business and I can't tell her anything she isn't privately aware of, I just wanted to see if anyone who knows more about breakages can shed a bit of light

Yes breakages can do that. Orthopaedic issues do not always get fully better and cause ongoing disability. I found losing weight did help with pinned leg and arthritis. It is a case of adapting sometimes.

not much you can do....

but really she should see a gp if the leg is not better after such a long time.

fwiw a relative had a really bad break a couple of years ago (operation and non weight baring for 3 months)
back to normal (actually better than before) thanks to physio

I broke my lower leg 4 years ago. I have had an operation, nearly 50 hrs of physio (both NHS and private,) and am reasonably fit. I am in my 40s, could do with losing a few pounds but my BMI is in the normal range, take part in an endurance sport, and do exercises to strengthen my weak leg. It still fucking hurts and causes me to limp in the mornings and after a long day riding. I cannot really run properly.

Otoh her weight is almost certainly an issue. I need to lose more, and need to get down to the bare minimum I can (oh, but I love food so much!) in order to give my ankle the best chance possible. Otoh it probably IS still giving her grief and may never be the same as it was. She is right, the NHS are primarily bothered with fixing the bone. I had massive soft tissue trauma at the time of my injury (high speed fall from horse during a competition) and I suspect my issues are caused by scarring and thickening of the ligaments and scarring within the joint. The NHS are not really bothered - I can function perfectly well and am not being a bother to them right now. I will pay for it later in life though, and so am going to pursue further private treatment next year in order to prevent me from becoming like your mother - a slightly larger, slightly older woman struggling to figure out how to live with a debilitation that she and her family feel she oughtn't to have.

I would encourage you to be sympathetic towards her but also to have a conversation about it. It might be that she is hoping it will fix itself, but at this stage she does need to help herself a bit. Would your family finances stretch to a bit of private physio? She could be taught how to strengthen the leg for herself.

I broke my leg around 2 years ago myself. Had surgery and lots of physio after. I think your dm needs more physio. That was what made me walk better. I'm a larger lady but talk with it. I had two plates and 19 screws put into my lower leg after breaking it.
Physio was the only thing that made it better. Yes, it won't be 100% like what it used to be, but maybe even get her go to send her for a ct scan in case there is anything. And he can then get her some physio sorted.

I broke my hip horse riding in 2004 and it's given nothing but jip since. She does need to exercise it a lot more as the pain is more than likely from muscle weakness from than the original break itself.

It's horrible but she's got to help herself in the long run

Thanks for replying and sorry I've not got round to responding until now. Her break wasn't a bad one, she was in plaster for six weeks and not offered physio or anything after. She can be quite aggressive if anyone says anything she doesn't want to hear, so suggesting physio or similar, even if we are paying, probably won't go down well as she is, I'm guessing, self conscious of her size. (She gave me some of her undies that she found 'uncomfortable' when I was pg and I noticed all but one pair had the labels cut out, the remaining label was size 22.)
Backinthebix I think your explanation about soft tissue etc trauma was what she was getting at.
It's very exasperating!

I have a similar situation with a relation who refuses to acknowledge her obesity contributes to her many health problems. I don't know what the answer is, but sympathies OP.

I broke my leg quite badly nearly 3 years ago and I would say I'm about 90-95% recovered (and that's after a spiral break of the tibia and fibula, plus broken ankle. Pins, rods and plates etc..)

Still can't run or dance more than a kind of shuffle, can't kneel on it or crawl. Everything else OK. Had aches and pains for a long time but just realised typing this that I haven't had any for months now.

So, who knows how it is for your mum. Such injuries (and recovery) can vary enormously, but her excess weight must be an issue.

Thanks Choughed!