Looking at Serious Shelf Time
 

How's this for a revolting development. Back in '09 I fractured my hip that resulted in a total hip replacement. Recovery went well and I've been riding without issue since my recovery. Fast forward to 10/28/15 when I tripped and fell while walking and landed on the hip. I had some intense pain and went back to see the surgeon to get it checked out. After x rays I was assured that the hip was fine. This is at the Hospital for Special Surgery which is considered by many as the gold standard for orthopedics.
So I'm working on the assumption that I have a nasty bone bruise that at my age, 63, will just take a while to calm down. The pain did subside and I got back on the bike but recently I started having issues with the ability to maintain my cadence and pain when I got off the bike. Back to the surgeon and it turns out that I have an old pelvis fracture that has not healed properly, malunion. Not only that but the fracture has affected the hip replacement. So now I'm looking at surgery to realign the pelvis and possibly replace the cup of the hip replacement. Surgery is scheduled for next week with an expected 6 months off the bike. I am beyond frustrated and pissed as to how come this was missed when I went back in October.
I'm considering looking into taking legal action but first and foremost I want to get this straightened out.
Sorry for the rambling post but I just had to vent.

I'd definitely get a second and third opinion on your options. Also, talk to legal counsel who specialize in this area. Consider this all part of your training. It's just what has to be done to get back on the bike. It is the only way to think of it without being overwhelmed by rage or disappointment.
I'm with you. A lot of us here have had problems with doctors, and I can't emphasize enough that you should get other opinions. Bone growth and integrity can be increased and enhanced by nutritional supplements.
Consider reiki treatments while you are waiting for appointments. Don't lose hope. You might hear some good news that at least gives you hope. Use this time to prepare for your return to cycling.

Sage advice ^^^.

Read up on a diet. Most likely it'll come down to keep your protein high, high calcium. If things go decent and you can at least somewhat mobile fairly quickly, you should have the cleanest, and best tuned bike on the planet.

Definitely get a second opinion, and not of the "You're ugly too!" variety! ;) Really, if the problem was a badly healed old fracture, why did it not give you any problems till your recent fall? I'd definitely have a third-party look into things.

I'm really into nutrition so my diet is very clean and mostly plant based. I juice and also have a Nutri-Ninja and add extra protein to everything I concoct.
As far as the surgery is concerned they're bringing in a specialist to repair the pelvis. I'm trying to stay positive and optimistic about a good result. What really hangs heavy on me is the amount of down time involved. I don't sit still very well so it's just something I'm going to have to suck up.Time to focus on what I can do to speed my recovery and not dwell on what I can't.

...you should have the cleanest, and best tuned bike on the planet. So true :p I have been putting off replacing the internally routed brake cable. No excuse now.

I certainly wish you a speedy resolution to the health issue.

And speaking from a Canadian perspective - it sure sounds strange to read statements about suing someone related to a health issue.

:popcorn

I feel your pain . I was off the bike few years ago in April for pinch nerve on my left side of the back . I was off the bike for the whole summer and it was frustrated to see other cyclists on the road everyday . I hope you fix this problem once for all . :thumb:

I assure you that a lawsuit is not my primary concern - not by a long shot. My goal is to get my old chassis back in running order and getting back on my bike. My surgery is scheduled for 6/9 and I was just contacted by the specialist who will be repairing the pelvis. If, at the end of the day, everything goes well than my desire to pursue legal action will just fade away. If, however, my quality of life is permanently compromised, the ability to ride my bike at the same level as before this turn of events, and the reason is because I continued to ride on it after I was assured the hip was OK than I will definitely be talking to a lawyer.
BTW I can't speak to Canada but I worked for thirty plus years in the court system here and have seen lawsuits brought for a lot less.

What recourse do you have in Canada if a doctor or hospital screws up royally? Just curious...

To the OP, best wishes for a successful surgery and recovery.

In my understanding, doctors in Canada are insured by their professional association, and in the words of a friend who is a doctor that practices in the field of stem cell replacement, their association will fight to the end. I would expect that to win you'd need deep pockets to afford the legal fees. Having said that, I honestly can't recall hearing or reading about lawsuits against doctors here in Canada. I would expect that it has happened, it's just not in the news much. I also have acquaintances who have been on the unfortunate end of what may very well have been less than "best practice" medicine. Speaking for myself, I think the fact that we have an almost free health care system, and the notion that as Canadians we're known to be a polite and always apologizing, we may accept and forgive more readily. Heaven forbid that the cost of healthcare increase to what it costs in the US. I can only assume that part of this is related to the cost of litigation.

Jeez ... what a nightmare. Vent away!All the advice to seek counsel and get a second opinion are spot on.

I feel for you - I've experienced enforced downtime during riding season a few years back for a popped achilles that took forever to heal well enough to return to an upright position. And it's too early for you to watch the TdF yet to make your recovery time go. Bummer!

My chronic knee issue turned cripplingly acute recently, and I was considering a trip down to the hospital you're dealing with.

After spending the week looking into this I now concur with you. Just as a stress fracture is difficult to detect with an x-ray until it starts to heal I think the same could be true in this case. I was puzzled because after six months the symptoms reappeared but more pronounced. When I returned the Doc repeated the original series of x-rays along with a different study as well as a CT Scan which showed the fracture. I have the utmost confidence in the expertise of the surgeons at the Hospital for Special Surgery which is why I was freaked out to find a fracture after not finding it on the initial visit.
In any event surgery is set for this Thursday and I'm counting on a good outcome.

Funny you should mention achillies. I had achillies reconstructive surgery at HSS 7 years ago and even though recovery was a bear the end result was good.