So since I fractured my pelvis, still to be confirmed from steroid use, (although it has to be far more than likely) I am now moving better at long last. But. My pain (but not incapacity levels) have increased singnificantly. It’s like a sheering toothache pain that can actually make me cry despite being able to do. Is that an overuse of Tramadol issue? As I’ve existed on them so the last 6 weeks?a
Thats indicitive of what is called the Hard Callus Stage. The END is in Sight!!! There is no beating around the bush IT HURTS and in a high pressure bone like the Pelvis it can last for 2 - 12 weeks (as opposed to 2 -6 weeks for an upper limb) One of the factors that encourages Hard Callus formation in lower limb fractures is gentle weight bearing exercise. That’s why I always recommended the bracing. It allows controlled weight bearing and stimulate Hard Callus formation, because bone responds to repeated gentle loading by laying down more bone tissue. The more you get about the sooner the pain goes away. (the last phase is Bone Remodelling which begins once the fracture has united and may continue for several years, as a continuum of normal bone function. It drives us joint replacement folks nuts as it takes LONG time) Pain is only occasional.
I would THINK at this point you would be better of to give up on the Tramadol and grit your teeth, (NSAIDS are good) but that is just me (well its a lot of others too. there is a question if Tramadol significantly inhibits human osteoblast activity enough to slow healing and increase pain levels. It does for sure in some, you may be one of them (there is no question opiates do cause these problems) MOST younger orthos think it does for everyone. In any event heres a picture of what is going on. PART of the process is restablishing blood flow in the bones (there is a lot of blood in bones. Most of it was destroyed during the "inflammatory phase) To but it in an over simplified way. Your circulatory system is drilling holes and laying new plumbing lines. You description of a toothache is dead on. Its exactly the same pressure. The end is in sight: In the picture noticce the missing blood vessels
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Big hug! I hope you’ll get through this soon!
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Thanks Mr Lamb, that does make sense. Actually just understanding it helps enormously. I can put up with a lot once I understand what’s going on.
Thank you. I certainly feel like the end is in sight…
It’s just a brilliant explanation isn’t it? I love that it takes things a step (several steps?) further than the ‘pain = problem’ intuitive thinking to ‘the healing process can actually hurt’. Understanding that must be some comfort at least. Good luck Poo!
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