Doc says I take my first step in 6 weeks

I think it was a really good day.   Today was the appointment some 7 1/2 weeks after the initial accident, and almost 4 weeks after the second surgery.

My doc was happy with the x-ray, because really- it didn't change.  The nail hadn't moved and- at least to me- the fracture looked good- almost as if there wasn't one.

In fact, it was so good that my doc thought it was a good time to play a joke on another doctor- the one who had seen me originally.  He asked an attendant to bring in the doc because he wanted a second opinion.  He introduced the x-ray as I had been complaining of recent pain (somewhat true because I am off the pain meds and actually feel things now).  The 2nd doc nervously looked at the xrays, clicking between views and finally said "I don't see anything." At which point my doc guffawed and said he didnt' think so either- maybe he should give me some more pills.  Doctor humor I suppose.

Since trochanteric nail fixation usually has the patient walking right away, I asked about why the time before I could be weight bearing. And he said my fracture was definitely femoral neck- and not a trochanteric fracture and therefore quite different as far as recovery.

My biggest fear is AVN- the death of the femoral head.  It is because the blood to the head is mainly from the neck of the femur.  Here's a great diagram- there are actually three sources of blood- the middle one is the one I'm worried about.  You'd think the top one is key, but apparently it might not even be present in 20% of the population. Hopefully mine is.

I asked again about the bone graft procedure and avoiding AVN and got a couple of different answers since both docs were present.  My original doc said that AVN was decided the day I had the accident.  My new doc again indicated it wasn't his type of surgery.  Does this mean I should get a second (3rd) opinion, or was the time for the graft when I was getting the fracture repaired?

Now the good news.  My doctor said I don't need to see him for THREE weeks, and that if that is good (as he expects), there will be another followup three weeks after that- and then I start 'recovery.'

"Recovery?" I asked.  He said (smiling) there is no recovery.  You just start walking (maybe with one crutch).

So, I finally have a light at the end of my tunnel.