Femur Fracture

[kma8691]

Hi! I fractured my right femur 6-28-09 after tripping over a couple of pairs of shoes in our doorway. I had surgery the next day and had a steel rod implanted as well. I have terrible insurance (self-pay since I work 3 part-time jobs) even though I pay nearly $800/month for it. Shock to me was that I learned 2 days after suregry that they don't pay for rehab, physical therapy, medical equipment for home like a wheelchair, bedside commode, walker, or my brace my doctor prescribed that cost $836. My sister had to put half on her credit card before I could have it at discharge. I was basically kicked out of the hospital instead of going to inpatient rehab. Since both my sisters and all cousins live out of town and my dear dad died last year, I was thrown to the care of my 77 year0old-mom, who at the same time I was injured had her kidneys go into steep decline causing extreme weakness. I used to do 100% of the housework and now she does it all.

I have an accident fund through this insurance where everything related to my injury gets paid up to $28,000, including the hospital, physicians, therapy, equipment, comes out. I haven't seen the ER and hospital bills yet and haven't been reimbursd a dime for what I have paid out of pocket, like the 5 home PT sessions I had in July.

I see the orthopedist on 8-19, just 10 days before the 2 month mark of my surgery. He has not yet increased my weight bearing (50%) or the degree of knee flextion of my brace (37 degrees). He has not yet approved me for outpatient PT and because of my insurance mess, no therapist will waste my time and money with such severe restrictions.

I feel at times like I'm going to lose my sanity if I can't get up on my feet soon. I have been using the wheelchair ramp, the only piece of equipment left from my dad's illness, to get outside and into the car for appointments, but my mom is too weak to do this often with me in the wheelchair. I have learned to hop down the ramp with my walker but it is very unnerving.

What have been some of your experiences (physical and emotional) who have been in similar situations?

Thanks! Karen

[UConnJulie]

Karen,
I'm really sorry that you've had such a rough time. My understanding of your insurance policy is that you have a major medical policy and although you have to pay out of pocket for some stuff up front, you will get reimbursed on the back end, but it may take a while (months).
My best advice is to talk to the orthopedist the next time you see him, and let him know about your insurance situation. He cannot advance your weight bearing status until he knows if the bone is healing properly.
I'm surprised that the home health agency did not get you a social work consult. The social workers are pros at seeking alternative funding sources for clients who have financial hardship.

From a physical standpoint, once your weight bearing status in increased, you will get back to walking pretty fast, usally with a device first (walker or crutches) then progressing down (to a cane or one crutch) eventually to nothing. It sounds like you'll have to wear the brace for a while and will also need outpatient PT. Most PTs are happy to give you a home program and check in with you as needed every week or so, especially if they know your insurance/financial situation.

[Fang]

Originally Posted by kma8691

I feel at times like I'm going to lose my sanity if I can't get up on my feet soon. I have been using the wheelchair ramp, the only piece of equipment left from my dad's illness, to get outside and into the car for appointments, but my mom is too weak to do this often with me in the wheelchair. I have learned to hop down the ramp with my walker but it is very unnerving.

What have been some of your experiences (physical and emotional) who have been in similar situations?

Thanks! Karen

Karen,

What a frustrating situation. I was bedridden for an entire year because of medical treatment, but my energy level was so low that at least I could sleep a lot to make the time pass faster.

Here's my suggestion: always have something you are working on. Do you need to lose weight? Work on that. If you're having trouble with that, take a smaller step like eating healthier foods. Change/improve diet? Good one. Stretching? That's something you may be able to do. If nothing else, research, learn, keep yourself occupied. It is a nightmare to feel totally helpless, so I found the best thing to do is to help yourself within your limitations.

I feel for you. Especially with the medical craziness; I've had all kinds of issues because of my "preexisting condition" (nevermind that the doctors say I'm cured). There could be rehab things you can do even without formal physical therapy. The resources you will find on this board can help you or at least point you in the right direction.

Good luck.