Cycling UK Forum

Hi! I broke my left neck of femur back in March 2006 (when I was 36). No cycling accident, I stumbled on a brick pavement, and ended up with a two cannulated screw fixation. It was a valgus impacted fracture, where the bone crushes into itself when it breaks. I also lost a bit of leg length (not obvious to any on looker, as I have since learnt to compensate). I could not walk on it at all for 3 months (hopping around on crutches), which was a nightmare, especially as my daughter was 3 at the time. I then had intensive physio for 3 months, due to the muscle wastage. By 12 months I felt more or less normal. It's since been about 95% compared to what it used to be - so that's now the new normal! No medical condition found, the surgeons said sheer bad luck, and being slim. No fat to pad me out a bit... I came upon the CTC forum after googling a bit about broken hips and screw removal. Nowhere else at all seems to discuss hip repair and the aftermath so sensibly and practically! I'm over 6 years post op now and I still have the screws in. The surgeon said that unless they cause me alot of discomfort, such as persistent inflammation, to leave them alone. I have since asked again (last year) and he has said to leave them in. If the hip breaks a second time around it'll be a total hip replacement, which being a mum to a child under 10 I do not really want to undergo. I did ask the surgeon what if (and when) the hip simply degenerates due to old age and he said that they would simply take the screws out and do the hip replacement, and it would be quite straightforward... I too am like a walking barometer, more so when it's cold, wet, damp, etc. But often people are when they've broken anything, especially hips, legs, and ankles, even without metal implants. The screws do rub a bit on and off, especially when I've been walking alot, more than say 6 miles in one day. (I walk 4 miles most days). The next day I do suffer, with alot of aching and a sore hip to the side of the scar area. Deep down I would like the screws removed, but I cannot face the uncertainty of another break or hip replacement, at least for the time being... Yes, the screws are a nagging nuisance sometimes, but I've got used to them. And if anybody worries if they set off security systems, I have had that yet. I've flown from Gatwick airport with no problems, and gone through the Olympic security systems too.
Hope this is useful information. Good luck and best wishes to all! TravelLight69.