<p>Oh NO!!! I am so sorry Jym626! After everything your son went through - now your hubby! (and did I miss one of your broken bones in there, too? I forget sometimes…) I hope he heals quickly and well!</p>
<p>jym, so sorry to hear about this! Keeping fingers crossed for speedy recovery.</p>
<p>My H broke bones in his foot the night before we were supposed to drive out of town. He did not think his injury was serious until he woke up and his foot was as big as a house. Needless to say, instead of hitting the road, we went to our clinic. His regular doc was out of town, so H was seen by another one, who supposedly had a lot of experience in treating foot injuries. The funniest part? The doctor’s name was Dr. Proudfoot!</p>
<p>Wishing your family the best.</p>
<p>Apologies to those of you who I am simply too tired to identify individually (the 3 hr time difference is catching up to me-- and the 6 hrs in the ER didn’t help).</p>
<p>We are in Tucson (where my sis in law lives). Weve been here plenty of times before but were looking forward to taking the visitors from Japan to all the cool stuff (caverns, canyons, desert museum, etc). This happened FIRST THING. Decided they didnt need a tour of the ER so got them back to Sis in laws house).</p>
<p>So far, no broken bones for me (crossing fingers) .</p>
<p>I must say, though, the rental car is with Hertz and thy have been great and flexible (so far)</p>
<p>
Oxycontin is contraindicated for post-operative pain. Be careful, as many adverse reactions have occurred due to oxycontin prescriptions for post-op pain.</p>
<p>Also, anyone with bilateral leg fractures should have DVT (blood clot formation in the deep veins) prophylaxis, particularly when traveling on airplanes.</p>
<p>
From the fda site: [MedWatch</a> - OxyContin “Dear Doc” Letter](<a href=“http://www.fda.gov/MEDwatch/SAFETY/2001/oxycontin.htm]MedWatch”>http://www.fda.gov/MEDwatch/SAFETY/2001/oxycontin.htm)
[Long-Acting</a> OxyContin Tablets Now Available To Relieve Pain](<a href=“http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/968a.htm]Long-Acting”>http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/968a.htm)</p>
<p>[Oxycontin</a> (oxycodone HCI) medications drugs side effects drug interactions generic fda approved drug medication chronic pain relief prevention](<a href=“http://www.rxlist.com/oxycontin-drug/article.htm]Oxycontin”>http://www.rxlist.com/oxycontin-drug/article.htm)</p>
<p>Thanks, my $.02 . DH hasn’t had surgery yet-- won’t have it til we get home and the swelling goes down. And its probably a moot point-- he probably will only take some Tylenol… maybe.</p>
<p>I asked the ER doc a gazillion q’s about the risk of clots on the flight. He said there was no way anyone would recommend an anticoagulant at this point. We will be flying on Sunday-- so he has a few days to “heal” a bit.</p>
<p>We went though all these q’s when DS flew back to college a week after he had surgery (fx his femur and had a titanium rod inserted). So sadly, I am beginning to feel like this is old hat.</p>
<p>I am hoping the flight isnt too crowded and we can get a seat where he can lay his leg across the seat (he has to keep it elevated). </p>
<p>I know my H- he will try to get up and move around a little on the plane. Think happy thoughts…</p>
<p>JYM -
Talk to the orthopod, not the ER doc, about dvt prophylaxis. As with all medical decisions, risks and benefits must be weighed. It is true that most docs would not recommend an anticoagulant if “anticoagulant” indicates coumadin. However, some trauma docs would consider low molecular weight heparin for poly-ortho trauma when surgery is to be delayed several days and especially with a necessary plane flight. The anesthesiologist should not object to LMWH as long as the dosing schedule is appropriate. (Aspirin would be relatively contraindicated because of its long lasting effect on platelets).</p>
<p>If you have a trusted orthopod at home, call and ask.</p>
<p>PM me if you have specific questions.</p>
<p>I suggest that your husband consider having a bone density test. A couple of years ago, I read in Prevention magazine that unless one has a major fall – like falling off a roof – or has another type of major traumatic accident, breaks and fractures can be a sign of osteoporosis.</p>
<p>I had a fractured foot last year. I have no idea how it happened. When it was diagnosed, I asked my doctor to schedule me for a bone density test even though I’m in a low risk category since black women usually don’t get osteoporosis. The test indicated that I’m beginning to get osteoporosis, so I’m now on medication to strengthen my bones.</p>
<p>While bone thinning is considered to be a postmenopausal female problem, it also can affect males.</p>
<p>Tough news, jym!</p>
<p>I hope he recovers rapidly. I second NSM’s suggestion.</p>
<p>jym - Ouch. So sorry to hear that.</p>
<p>As a runner who broke a bone in 2007, I can give him hope. His break sounds complicated, but the sports orthopedists are amazing. I’m sure there are great people in Atlanta, but I sure swear by my guy 3 hours up the road from you! Tell him to hang in there and we’ll get him back on the road.</p>
<p>jym,
Gee, it never lets up, does it. Sending patience and strength your way!!</p>
<p>Sorry to hear this! Sounds familiar My late FIL once broke an ankle in line for getting the rental car at the airport when he went on a ski vacation with my H. They had just gotten off the plane!</p>
<p>I am worried about the flight home - hope it is not full and your H has somewhere to put his leg. I had ankle surgery once and if the ankle is in a tight cast, in a situation where you can’t keep it elevated, it is like ankle claustrophobia. Really horrible.</p>
<p>If you are on a full flight you might actually consider switching to one where you will have a better chance for him to keep his foot up. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks everyone,</p>
<p>Right now the Delta agent said the flight was pretty open- and there are few that fly direct from here to there (the one we are on is, fortunately, one of them) so I will cross my fingers that we can get him on a seat where he can elevate his leg. </p>
<p>When we call for the appointment we’ll ask about anticoagulant tx, but we dont really know the doc who was recommended. However, my s-i-l here has had several shoulder surgeries. I may ask her to call her local doc here and ask. Thats a good idea my $.02, thanks. </p>
<p>The cast is pretty tight, and I am disagreeing with my H about the color of one of his toes (it doesnt seem to be pinking up as well as I think it should) and since one of our s’s already lost part of a finger, I really dont want him to lose a toe. He thinks its ok-- so we will watch it and I will worry…</p>
<p>I will mention bone density test, but will have to plan my timing… DH minimizes everything (men!!!) I may ask the orthopod when we are seeing him.</p>
<p>Oh, I’m so sorry! Holler if I can do anything.</p>
<p>A few years ago, on my 12 hour flight from overseas, someone had one of those long leg casts on, and I believe someone in business class actually switched so that s/he could get a larger seat with appropriate leg room. I think it was a full flight, so not an upgrade. Speak to the ground crew when you check in. I have also seen seats switched for the bulkhead seat, which has more leg room, due to medical reasons. Good luck and best wishes for a full and complete recovery.</p>
<p>sorry to hear this jym – your family could really use a – no, if not a break – then a little relief for sure. Get S back to Tulane then lock the doors and hole up for a while! Hope the flight goes okay.</p>
<p>Update–
Surgery went fine, if you don’t count the fact that the drill bit broke off in H’s leg and will be there forever :eek: He is now the proud owner of 4 long screws in is leg (2 permanent, 2 possible temporary)</p>
<p>DH was sent home with 2 nifty nerve block/ pain pumps that slowly dispense pain meds for the next 2-3 days. Unfortunately, he awakened at 5 am in severe pain. Long story short… after several calls to the Dr, we were back at the hospital to see if the catheter had somehow pulled loose. So, he gets readmitted, IV reinserted… etc etc… and they notice that someone left the clamp closed, so he wasn’t getting any medication! Grrrr. </p>
<p>So we are back home, picked up a temporary handicapped decal for the car (the clerk managed to screw up something with the registration/license plate of one of our other cars while I was there, but thats a gripe for the “say it here” thread). At least DH is not in extreme pain any more. One step at a time…</p>
<p>We always break bones or get terribly ill on Friday nights, preferably over holidays.</p>
<p>Jeez – you have two stories to add to the volumes on the wonders of modern medicine. Hope he’s resting more comfortably and that you can finally sit back and breathe a little.</p>
<p>Hugs to you, Jym, and sympathies as well. To your DH as well.</p>