Hailey Tran
In January 2021, Brooke Shields was hospitalized after breaking her femur in a fall while exercising on a balance board. The injury required multiple surgeries, and she developed a staph infection during her recovery, which resulted in further health complications and an extended hospital stay. Shields documented her recovery process on social media and in interviews, sharing her experience with physical therapy and her decision to refuse prescription painkillers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for hospitalisation | Broke her femur in a fall while exercising on a balance board |
| Date of accident | January |
| Age at the time of accident | 55 years old |
| Number of surgeries | Multiple |
| Developed a staph infection | Yes |
| Type of infection | Bacterial (MRSA) |
| Required blood transfusions | Yes |
| Refused painkillers | Yes |
| Length of hospital stay | Two and a half weeks |
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What You'll Learn
Broke her femur in a balance board accident
In January 2021, actress and model Brooke Shields, 55, broke her femur in a balance board accident. Shields had been using a balance board in a New York City gym when she fell off. She later described the incident in an interview:
> I flew up in the air with such force, and I landed so heavy and so hard and with such musculature and such velocity and such height... It felt like it was all in slow motion. And then I just started screaming... Sounds came out that I've never heard before.
Shields feared she was paralysed and recalled being terrified when she realised she couldn't move. She said:
> I wanted to make sure I wasn't paralysed... I don't think I've ever been more afraid because I was helpless.
Shields was taken to hospital by ambulance and underwent surgery to insert two metal rods into her leg. However, she soon required a second surgery after the fractured femur shifted. Doctors added five more rods and a metal plate to anchor her leg in place.
Shields was unable to have visitors during her hospital stay due to COVID-19 restrictions. She later developed a serious staph infection that required blood transfusions and emergency surgery. Doctors initially feared the infection could be MRSA, a type of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which could have become life-threatening.
Shields has since been undergoing physical therapy and has shared her recovery journey on Instagram. She has said of the experience:
> I think it's almost been the biggest blessing to date because I realised what a fighter I am.
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Underwent multiple surgeries
In January 2021, actress and model Brooke Shields underwent multiple surgeries after breaking her femur in a fall while exercising on a balance board. The 55-year-old fell in a New York City gym and was rushed to the hospital, where she had emergency surgery to insert two metal rods near her hip. Shields shared her experience in a "flashback Friday" Instagram post, showing photos of her heavily bandaged arm and leg, as well as herself hooked up to a heart monitor and using a physical therapy walker.
After the surgery, Shields began the slow process of rehabilitation, which she also documented on social media. She shared videos of herself learning to walk again with the help of a doctor, crutch, and handrail. She also underwent physical therapy five days a week, as well as "osteopath work," massage, and infrared sauna treatments.
Unfortunately, Shields's recovery was complicated when, two and a half weeks after returning home, she developed a serious staph infection. This infection required emergency surgery and three blood transfusions. Doctors initially feared the infection could be MRSA, a type of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that can lead to sepsis. Thankfully, it was not, but the experience left Shields terrified.
Shields's healing process also included emotional hardships, as she grappled with feelings of helplessness and fear. Despite these challenges, she maintained a positive outlook and shared her journey to inspire others. She reflected on the experience, stating, "If I can turn it into anything positive, or I can teach my girls, yeah, stuff is going to happen in your life, and how you respond is going to define you, and adversity will reveal you."
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Suffered a staph infection
In January 2021, Brooke Shields was hospitalised after breaking her femur in a fall while exercising. She fell off a balance board at a New York City gym, landing heavily on her right leg. Shields described the fall as having happened with "such force" and recalled not being able to hear anything besides her own screams. She immediately underwent emergency surgery to have two metal rods placed near her hip. However, her healing process was complicated by a series of setbacks.
Firstly, the broken part of her femur popped out, requiring a second surgery to insert five more rods and a metal plate to anchor her leg in place. After returning home two and a half weeks later, she developed a severe staph infection, which necessitated yet another surgery and three blood transfusions. Doctors initially feared that the infection might be MRSA, a type of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that could have led to sepsis. Fortunately, the infection was not MRSA, but the experience was nonetheless terrifying for Shields.
Shields refused to take prescription painkillers during her recovery, opting for over-the-counter medications instead. She wanted to avoid becoming reliant on opioids and wanted to be able to differentiate between pain from her original injury and any new issues that might arise. Despite the challenges, Shields remained committed to her recovery process, undergoing physical therapy and other treatments to regain her strength and mobility.
Shields documented her journey on Instagram, sharing snapshots and videos of her progress. She also shared her insights and reflections, hoping to inspire others facing their own struggles. She recognised the importance of believing in oneself and encouraged people to fight through adversity. By May 2021, Shields had made significant strides in her recovery, even taking up low-impact exercises like SoulCycle and Pilates.
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Refused prescription painkillers
In January 2021, actress and model Brooke Shields suffered a broken femur in a gym accident. She underwent multiple surgeries and later developed a staph infection, leaving her in "excruciating" pain. Despite this, Shields refused to take prescription painkillers during her recovery, opting only for over-the-counter medications like Tylenol.
Shields was concerned about becoming reliant on opioids like OxyContin and Vicodin, which are highly addictive. She wanted to be able to recognize the difference between the pain from her original injury and any new ailments that could crop up. In an interview, she stated:
> "I didn't want to leave the hospital with no pain, get home, and think I was dying, because the pain was excruciating. I was like, 'I'd rather have excruciating pain in the hospital.' It's not about being a hero. Listen, and then do everything you can to not feel it without having to resort to something that could be much more detrimental. There's ice, and PT, and stretching, and Advil, or Tylenol, and if I couldn't sleep at night, I'd take a Tylenol PM."
Shields found it challenging to convince hospital staff that she did not need prescription painkillers. She had to repeatedly express her preference for over-the-counter medications at the highest safe dosage. She felt that the reliance on intensive painkillers is "part of the whole epidemic" of opioid addiction that is hurting people across the country.
Despite her refusal of prescription painkillers, Shields still experienced significant bone pain during her recovery. She kept active with SoulCycle and Pilates and relied on physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around the injury. By May of that year, she had come a long way in her recovery and felt "lucky to be alive."
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Documented her recovery on Instagram
In January 2021, Brooke Shields suffered a broken femur in a fall while exercising on a balance board at a New York City gym. The injury required multiple emergency surgeries and left her with a severe staph infection.
Shields, who is an actor, model, and mother of two, documented her recovery process on Instagram. She shared candid photos and videos of her progress, including snapshots from her hospital stay, X-rays of her broken bone, and videos of her attempting to walk with crutches and climb stairs. She also posted photos of herself undergoing physical therapy and osteopath work, which she diligently performed every weekday.
In her Instagram posts, Shields expressed her fear of never being able to walk again and described the intense pain and emotional hardship she experienced. She also shared her determination to heal and her desire to inspire others going through similar challenges. "I'm focusing on just recovery," she said in one post. "This is really probably the biggest thing that I have to physically go through, but what am I going to do about it?"
Shields also spoke about her decision to refuse prescription painkillers during her recovery, opting instead for over-the-counter drugs like Tylenol and Advil. She expressed concern about becoming reliant on opioids and wanted to be able to differentiate between pain from her injury and new injuries that could crop up.
Through her Instagram posts, Shields provided updates on her progress and shared her gratitude for the support she received from fans and celebrity friends. She also promoted her interviews with outlets like People and Good Morning America, where she discussed her accident and recovery in more detail.
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Frequently asked questions
Brooke Shields was in the hospital after breaking her femur in a fall while exercising on a balance board.
Yes, Shields underwent multiple emergency surgeries during her hospital stay. She first had surgery to insert two metal rods near her hip. After a broken part of her femur popped out, she had to undergo a second surgery to add five more rods and a metal plate to anchor her leg in place.
Yes, Shields developed a serious staph infection two and a half weeks after returning home from the hospital. She had to be hospitalized again for emergency surgery and three blood transfusions. Doctors initially feared the infection was MRSA, a type of bacteria resistant to antibiotics, but tests later showed it was not.
