That's really too bad.  But it was good that you had a spot and were in a place where rescue could be effected.  Glad you made it out safe. 

Where were you when you went down?  My estimation is that some of the portages in WCP are a bit tricker than what I've run across in the Q.

If replacement is what is called for, go for it!  My paddling partner had a knee replacement this off season.  After our WCP trip he said it felt better than it had for at least the last 5 years.  (So, I got my payback from last year.  I hauled some of his gear and we did a lot of tripple portaging last year.  This year, he got to haul some of my gear on the last couple of portages.).

dd