Hip revision: How can I get the best recovery?

Posted by gfred @gfred, Nov 8, 2020

Anyone have experience with with failed hip revision or slow to heal?

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Husband is anticipating having a revision due to build up of toxic metal ions and large area of inflammation around one hip. What was your reason to have revision?

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My husband had hip revision a month ago due to toxic metal ions build up. He is non weight bearing for about 8 weeks but is faithfully doing his PT and has minimal pain. It will be a long recovery as they needed to break his femur to get out the previous hip replacement . As we understand it the statute of limitations has made it so the manufacturer has no more legal responsibility for the damage done to his body.

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@ltsally & @sailaway - I don't know what symptoms caused your husbands to seek revision, but I had mine done in 2011. It took over one year for the heavy metals to be eliminated from my body and all of the side effects to disappear. The tissue damage from the metal deposits disappeared over time - the surgeon described the damaged tissue as looking like oatmeal - but now I just have a little nerve pain in the area from time-to-time. The healing period was twice as long for the revisions (both hips) as for the original surgery, even though they didn't need to break my femurs to do the removal. Please encourage him to keep going - now, nearly 10 years post-surgery, I have full use of both legs, and except for some bursitis, my hips are the most pain-free part of my body.
Sue

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@sueinmn

@ltsally & @sailaway - I don't know what symptoms caused your husbands to seek revision, but I had mine done in 2011. It took over one year for the heavy metals to be eliminated from my body and all of the side effects to disappear. The tissue damage from the metal deposits disappeared over time - the surgeon described the damaged tissue as looking like oatmeal - but now I just have a little nerve pain in the area from time-to-time. The healing period was twice as long for the revisions (both hips) as for the original surgery, even though they didn't need to break my femurs to do the removal. Please encourage him to keep going - now, nearly 10 years post-surgery, I have full use of both legs, and except for some bursitis, my hips are the most pain-free part of my body.
Sue

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I had my hip resurfacing in 2006 with no problems until they found the cyst in my right hip and femur compromised due to the metals.
Two differing opinions on how to proceed.
One keep the head and make incision in the front of the leg and attach prosthesis.
Second - replace everything.
Scar and nerve damage was extensive in 2006 but was able to keep playing sports snd competitive tennis.
Now that I am 67 I realize I will be putting that behind me and will just be grateful to not be in pain, get the metals out and play with the grandchildren.

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@sueinmn

@ltsally & @sailaway - I don't know what symptoms caused your husbands to seek revision, but I had mine done in 2011. It took over one year for the heavy metals to be eliminated from my body and all of the side effects to disappear. The tissue damage from the metal deposits disappeared over time - the surgeon described the damaged tissue as looking like oatmeal - but now I just have a little nerve pain in the area from time-to-time. The healing period was twice as long for the revisions (both hips) as for the original surgery, even though they didn't need to break my femurs to do the removal. Please encourage him to keep going - now, nearly 10 years post-surgery, I have full use of both legs, and except for some bursitis, my hips are the most pain-free part of my body.
Sue

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I have been waiting for a discussion of hip revision as I currently have an “antibiotic spacer” in and am awaiting completion of antibiotics then a new or second prosthetic hip. Any info is appreciated. My story is long and sad but I am looking frwd to a new hip. Unfortunately my spacer dislocated and I am living with that until new surgery. I love hearing about all patient experiences but someone with a revision of 10 years is nice to hear!

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Any and all info and hints for recovery are appreciated.

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Hi folks. I had a hip revision in 2014 due to my Stryker hip being recalled. The metal in the middle section of the hip stated to deteriorate and the metal flaked off into my blood giving me blood poisoning, plus it was infected. I told my physician something was wrong with the hip for at least three years prior to him getting a recall notice from Stryker. I'm lucky it didn't kill me in all the time he ignored my complaints. The metal and surrounding tissue turned black. They managed to replace my entire hip without breaking my femur. I also joined a class action lawsuit and received a settlement in 2015. If anyone is in need of a revision due to the same reasons, I would check with a lawyer to see if you can still receive a settlement from the manufacturer. Stryker recalled these hips and paid out over a billion dollars to those affected. If you are just now having problems, I don't know that a statue of limitations would apply for damages if you weren't previously having problems. If your hip was recalled and you weren't notified you might still have some legal recourse. But I'm not a lawyer so I don't know for sure. If your hip is a Stryker you could check with the manufacturer. Also I think somewhere in this site there might be a list of recalled artificial joints. You might want to see if your hip (or Knee) is on that list. If you don't know the manufacturer, your surgeon or hospital should be able to give you an actual manufacturer and serial # for any parts you had implanted. You should get and keep a list of these parts in your medical history. If anyone has any questions or needs more info, just let me know. Stay safe.

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@cynthiaarment

I had my hip resurfacing in 2006 with no problems until they found the cyst in my right hip and femur compromised due to the metals.
Two differing opinions on how to proceed.
One keep the head and make incision in the front of the leg and attach prosthesis.
Second - replace everything.
Scar and nerve damage was extensive in 2006 but was able to keep playing sports snd competitive tennis.
Now that I am 67 I realize I will be putting that behind me and will just be grateful to not be in pain, get the metals out and play with the grandchildren.

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Hello @cynthiaarment and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. It sounds like you may have went the route of attaching a prosthesis. Is that right?

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@bcs123456

I have been waiting for a discussion of hip revision as I currently have an “antibiotic spacer” in and am awaiting completion of antibiotics then a new or second prosthetic hip. Any info is appreciated. My story is long and sad but I am looking frwd to a new hip. Unfortunately my spacer dislocated and I am living with that until new surgery. I love hearing about all patient experiences but someone with a revision of 10 years is nice to hear!

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Hello @bcs123456 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect and this discussion. I can see you feel hopeful after having read the post by @sueinmn about her 10-year post surgery update. It sounds like you have had quite a journey but are also really looking forward to a new hip, which is a great attitude.

What are you most curious about or in need of in terms of support from members?

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@amandajro

Hello @cynthiaarment and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. It sounds like you may have went the route of attaching a prosthesis. Is that right?

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Having another OPS CT scan June 3. Then will decide what to do. I am hoping I do not have to remove entire replacement.

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