Question
Two weeks ago, my 58 year old husband slipped on ice by our front steps and suffered a comminuted fracture right below the area where the femur connects to the hip.  He is taking Coumadin for an artificial aortic valve.  He was in the hospital for six days post op to stabilize the Coumadin levels and then transported to a rehab facility.  He has been in the rehab for one week. At this point, he is able to sit at the edge of the bed using a trapeze and then use a walker (light pressure on surgical leg) to transfer to a wheel chair. The physical therapist and rehab doctor both said that the alignment and leg length are excellent.  The surgeon has concerns about bone density. He took an x-ray during a post op check today and said that the alignment is good but as he predicted, there is evidence of delayed healing and he does not want my husband to put his full weight on the leg.  Right now, my husband is only to use light touch.

My husband is still experiencing significant pain from spasms when he moves the leg despite being on oxy and also Tylenol for breakthrough pain.  Is it unusual for someone to have significant spasms two weeks post op?  My husband usually does not complain about pain so this is atypical for him.

Answer
Dear Rhonda,

This Orthopedic Chicago Podiatrist located in West Loop 60661,Roscoe Village 60618, Elmhurst 60126 & Bartlett 60103 says...
The meds your husband is on are to decrease pain & inflammation & may have minimal effects on muscle spasms. Any movement of the broken bone will have that effect-even if the movement is minimal. Have him hang in there until there is therapy & more healing has occured.
Hope this helps & Good Luck!

The Chicago Podiatrists of AnkleNFootCenters.com are specialists in orthopedics and sports medicine.
We are located in Chicago & Elmhurst

Dr George Tsatsos,Svetlana Zats & Dr Mariano Rivera
Podiatrist Chicago 60618 & Elmhurst 60126 Podiatrists
Board Certified in Foot and Ankle Surgery & Orthopedics
New South Loop Location-Chicago 60661


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