Bones wont heal

[jurballs]

i am 34 and have had compression plates and screws put in both hips in november 2010 as i had 2 bilatreal stress fractures/breaks in both necks of my hips on the inside (they are not sure if cause by transient osteo-pregnancy or adults rickets and osteomailits?) 2 different specialist both say two different things! and now july 2011 my breaks havent healed and recent CT scan shows no bone healing at all where my breaks are despite having fixtures in place and the specialists are baffled?? has anyone else had this problem or know what i can take to try help?? i am over being in pain from the time i had my daughter in October 2009 which is when they think i broke/fractured my hips i have had nothing but trouble

[jurballs]

Hi thanks for your information it was very interesting, My specialist had mentioned i may need a bone grafts in time and maybe later on hip replacments (which i dont want) i was surprised by the % that it happens to, i have now started taking fish oil and glucosamine for pain instead of tramadol, codeine etc so will see how it goes before i see specialist at end of month, my endrocrine specialist is waiting blood test results (wher they spin and seperate red/white blood cells) as she think it maybe hormonal related but i dont know if they will find anything will be interesting

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

Nonunion or failure of the fracture to heal occurs in 10-30% of fractures of the neck of the femur (thigh bone) which is usually apparent within one year of the fracture and may be accompanied by osteonecrosis (bone death), irrespective of the cause of fracture. Majority of patients with non-union will require a re-operation. For the younger age group surgery involves osteotomy with cancellous bone graft placement and if associated with collapse of the femoral head, total hip replacement is indicated. You may like to discuss the possibilities with your orthopedician.
Hope this helps.

Take care!