Hip Replacement Recovery Turned Into a Life-Threatening Femur Fracture
Hip replacement recovery can progress quickly, but serious complications may still occur after a fall or traumatic injury.
Dr. Edward Stoner is a Board-Certified Internal Medicine Physician who experienced this firsthand after suffering a life-threatening femur fracture around his new hip implant that required emergency revision surgery performed by Dr. Alan Nasar.
Before the injury, Dr. Stoner’s recovery had been moving faster than expected. He began walking only hours after surgery and returned to work within days.
Only weeks after surgery, a sudden fall caused a devastating femur fracture around his new hip implant. The injury led to dangerous internal bleeding, emergency revision hip replacement surgery, and a long hospital stay.
As both a physician and patient, Dr. Stoner understood how serious the situation was. He also knew exactly who he trusted to perform the surgery — Dr. Alan Nasar.
Story Highlights
- Dr. Edward Stoner underwent hip replacement surgery after severe hip pain limited mobility
- His recovery progressed quickly, and he returned to work within days
- A traumatic fall caused a life-threatening femur fracture around the new implant
- Emergency revision surgery stabilized the fracture and repaired the damaged bone
Severe Hip Pain Began Limiting Daily Life
Dr. Edward Stoner has spent more than 40 years caring for patients as an internal medicine physician. Over the years, he had experienced orthopedic problems himself and previously trusted Dr. Alan Nasar for treatment, including shoulder surgery.
But this time felt different.
The pain in his hip had become severe enough that walking was difficult. Daily activities were becoming harder, and he knew it was time to consider hip replacement surgery.
After meeting with Dr. Nasar at Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute (AOSMI), Dr. Stoner learned that his hip needed to be replaced.
Dr. Stoner said his decision came down to trust and previous experience with Dr. Nasar.
“I went with Dr. Nasar because I trust him. He’s operated on me before. It’s not so much the location where you go. It’s who’s operating on you.”
During recovery, Dr. Nasar encouraged him to ease back into normal activity gradually.
“I was walking three hours after my hip replacement,” he later recalled.
Even though Dr. Nasar encouraged him to take recovery slowly, Dr. Stoner said he felt well enough to move around comfortably with only a cane for balance.
Dr. Stoner’s Recovery Timeline
| Timeline | What Happened |
| Hip replacement surgery | Dr. Stoner underwent posterior hip replacement surgery |
| Hours later | Began walking with assistance |
| 4 days later | Returned to work |
| Weeks later | Suffered traumatic fall in parking lot |
| Emergency surgery | Underwent revision hip replacement and femur reconstruction |
| Recovery period | Spent 10 days recovering in the hospital |
Recovery after hip replacement surgery can vary widely from patient to patient. In Dr. Stoner’s case, recovery initially progressed much faster than expected before the accident occurred.
The Fall That Nearly Cost Him His Life
The Slip in the Parking Lot
Only a few weeks after surgery, Dr. Stoner arrived at his office early on a rainy Sunday morning. The parking lot was dark and completely empty.
As he stepped out of his car, Dr. Stoner slipped on the wet pavement and crashed onto the asphalt. Almost immediately, he realized the injury was severe.
“My thigh was huge. It had already swelled up and it was deformed,” he recalled. “My left foot was way off to the side and I couldn’t move it.”
The fall shattered the femur surrounding the new hip implant. Because the bone was still healing after surgery, the impact caused the area around the implant to fracture under stress.
One of the sharp bone fragments damaged a blood vessel, leading to severe internal bleeding.
Dr. Stoner later explained just how serious the injury became.
“That injury literally was life-threatening.”
In the moments after the fall, Dr. Stoner realized the situation was far more serious than a routine postoperative injury.
What Is a Periprosthetic Femur Fracture?
A periprosthetic femur fracture is a break in the thigh bone that occurs around a hip implant. These fractures may happen after a fall or traumatic injury and sometimes require emergency revision surgery to stabilize the implant and repair the bone.
The injury quickly became dangerous for several reasons:
- The femur fractured around the new hip implant
- A broken bone fragment damaged a blood vessel
- Blood rapidly collected inside the leg
- Emergency surgery was needed to stabilize the fracture and control bleeding
This type of injury happens when the bone surrounding a hip implant breaks after trauma or a fall.
Because the femur is the largest bone in the body and contains major blood vessels, severe fractures can become dangerous if heavy bleeding occurs.
Alone in the parking lot and badly injured, Dr. Stoner still managed to crawl back into his car and drive himself to the hospital where Dr. Nasar practiced.
Even through the pain and confusion, Dr. Stoner said there was never any question about where he wanted to go for treatment.
“You got to call Dr. Nasar.”
By the time he arrived at the hospital, he was becoming weak from blood loss.
Hospital staff rushed outside to help him as the blood loss left him increasingly weak.
Later, while recovering after surgery, Dr. Stoner remembered hearing doctors and nurses urgently calling out medical orders around him.
“I realized, wow, somebody is really sick, because I understood the orders.”
At first, he thought the team was talking about another patient.
“It slowly dawned on me that they were talking about me.”
A Life-Saving Operation
Emergency Revision Surgery
Dr. Stoner’s injury required emergency surgery.
Before surgery, Dr. Nasar and the medical team worked to stabilize Dr. Stoner after significant blood loss. Once stable, Dr. Nasar performed a complex revision procedure to repair the fractured femur, stabilize the damaged bone, and replace the implant.
Before surgery, Dr. Stoner admitted he was terrified.
As the medical team prepared for the operation, he remembered how calm Dr. Nasar appeared despite the severity of the injury.
Even in a life-threatening situation, Dr. Stoner said Dr. Nasar’s calm approach gave him confidence before surgery.
“There wasn’t one little sign of worry on his face”
During the operation, the surgical team:
- Replaced the damaged implant
- Reinforced the femur with a longer stem implant
- Stabilized the fracture using surgical cables
- Controlled internal bleeding during surgery
The surgery lasted approximately six hours. Dr. Stoner later learned that more than two liters of blood had collected inside his leg. After surgery, his blood pressure dropped dangerously low, and the medical team worked quickly to stabilize him.
Even during that frightening experience, Dr. Stoner said the hospital team stayed focused on helping him recover.
Moving Forward After a Life-Threatening Injury
Rebuilding Strength After Surgery
Dr. Stoner spent 10 days in the hospital recovering from the injury and surgery.
During that time, he said the orthopedic team regularly checked on him and helped guide him through recovery.
Once he returned home, he focused heavily on rebuilding his strength. He followed his postoperative instructions closely, completed physical therapy exercises every day, and paid close attention to nutrition during recovery.
Today, he is back to walking again after a recovery process that once seemed uncertain.
Months later, Dr. Stoner described Dr. Nasar in one word:
“Competent.”
For Dr. Stoner, that sense of confidence mattered even more after experiencing how quickly recovery can change after a serious injury.
“He just exudes competency. You feel comfortable.”
Months after the injury, Dr. Stoner still became emotional while talking about the care he received.
He also reflected on the amount of patience and focus it took to rebuild his leg during such a difficult surgery.
Today, Dr. Stoner continues recovering after an experience that quickly turned from routine surgery into a medical emergency.
Reflecting on the care he received, he said:
“I’ll thank him for the rest of my life.”
What began as a routine hip replacement recovery quickly became a life-threatening emergency, reminding Dr. Stoner how quickly recovery can change after a serious injury.
How soon can you walk after hip replacement surgery?
Many patients begin standing or walking shortly after surgery with guidance from medical staff. Recovery timelines vary for each person.
Can you break a bone after hip replacement surgery?
Yes. Falls or major injuries can sometimes cause fractures around a hip implant, especially during early recovery.
What is revision hip surgery?
Revision hip surgery is a procedure used to repair or replace a previous hip implant after injury, wear, or complications.
Why can a femur fracture become life-threatening?
A severe femur fracture can damage nearby blood vessels and lead to major internal bleeding. Emergency surgery may be needed to stabilize the bone and control blood loss.
How long does recovery take after femur fracture surgery?
Recovery depends on the severity of the fracture, the patient’s health, and the type of surgery performed.
About Alan S. Nasar, MD, FAAOS
Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon, Fellowship Trained in Joint Replacement Surgery
Dr. Alan Nasar is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and fellowship-trained joint replacement specialist at Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute practicing in the Freehold, NJ location. He specializes in hip replacement, revision joint replacement surgery, fracture care, and minimally invasive orthopedic procedures.
With a background in mechanical engineering and advanced training in joint replacement surgery, Dr. Nasar has experience treating complex orthopedic injuries, including fractures around hip implants and revision hip replacement procedures. He also uses advanced surgical techniques and modern implant technology designed to support long-term joint function and recovery.
Learn More About Hip Replacement and Orthopedic Care
To learn more about hip replacement surgery, revision hip procedures, or femur fracture treatment, contact AOSMI to schedule an appointment with an orthopedic specialist.
This content is intended for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Recovery experiences and results vary for every patient. Always speak with a qualified healthcare professional about diagnosis, treatment, and recovery options.