Teenage leg injury

[emily567]

Hi everyone, I can't believe I only just found this community, but it looks like the perfect place for me :D There are things I've been looking for for years (literally), and I probably just haven't been systematic enough... but I also read all the injury posts on here, and just wanna check that what I have makes sense, since you're such

Comments

[bopeepsheep]

I don't know much about the break (I'd probably opt for hip or spine damage if you want a lifelong injury, having that myself) but I do know that in England we use sticks, not canes*. The only teenagers I've met who use them, though, actually prefer elbow crutches as they make carrying school bags a bit easier, apparently. And the impression a teen with a crutch makes is different from a stick. Not that anyone should have to justify a mobility aid or explain a disability, but people question crutches much less often.

* Cane in British English means something way flimsier than a mobility aid - think Teech in the Beano, or the Madness Baggy Trousers video, or the white cane that people with vision impairments use. Not a weight-bearing object.

[thekumquat]

I agree - definitely a stick not a cane if you don't want people to assume he's blind or auditioning for Cabaret! And quite likely elbow crutches as they can make it easier to move fast, whereas a stick doesn't really. Though you can get folding sticks in funky patterns since about 2007, which can be stowed away in a backpack or handbag, so your teenager might go either way

[emily567]

Thanks everyone, keep it coming :) well, I live in England but I sound pretty American so people don't care which dialect I use mostly, but I guess that means I can't call it a cane, which is sad :( so like, this is a funny example but in Harry Potter, the old Malfoy's cane was actually called a walking stick, and like it sounded perfectly normal for British people? Also, I'm not sure what you mean by your examples @bopeepsheep :D

[ffutures]

Knee replacement is another one that can be problematic for the rest of your life, especially if done badly.

[emily567]

ok follow up question - I found out about "femoral nerve damage", which pretty much fits the symptoms, but it says that it can be caused by "direct injury", or broken pelvis. Could a broken femur be classified as "direct injury", like could the bone cut the nerve or something?

Thanks

[emily567]

perfect, thank you!

[readera48]

I'm not sure how helpful this is, but I have some personal experience to share.

My partner now walks with a cane (we live in the US) and has for several years. This was somewhat due to an injury from his teenage years. He was in ROTC, and he tore his ACL, a ligament in his knee. It healed wrong, as it was never properly treated. This has resulted in a small limp that eventually lead to a paralyzed leg. We don't know the full details of how that happened.

Even though he uses a cane when we go out, he doesn't around the house. He can grab onto walls or counters as needed and we live in a small place. He does sometimes have problems, with his other leg taking all his weight or his back due to his walking gait. He also has a butt that is half flat and half well developed. His cane arm, on the other side of his bad leg, is also really muscular.

I hope this helps, and feel free to ask any relevant questions.

[readera48]

Thank you, this is actually helpful, although i'm sorry to hear about your partner's injury

[readera48]

I'm glad I was able to help. Thanks.

[emily567]

Actually, I do have a question as well (sorry forgot to sign in earlier). So if you don't mind sharing some details, I mean, did he just wake up one day and found himself in pain/unable to move? Did he have to go to the ER or stay in a hospital? And based on what you said, it wasn't caused by anything in particular, like a fall or anything, just a random consequence of the injury?

Thank you!