Living without a hip

My one forearm crutch, working on my flowers

Hello Faith...I'm so sorry you are having a lot of pain. Osteomyelitis means that the infection is now in your bone and this is serious. I hope you are on antibiotics again and getting labs, testing and seeing Orthopedic Surgeon and Infectious Disease Doctor right away. Are you in the USA? Praying you can get some answers quickly and under good medical management and pain relief.

My husband spent his first year of this journey of prosthetic hip infection with nothing but pain, antibiotics (some very strong and expensive) and disappointment. The second year began finally off antibiotics completely, but still blood tests for possible return of infection. The third year began with installation of an antibiotic spacer on March 7. At his 6-week post operative checkup, the orthopedic infectious disease has discharged Bill from his care unless he has complications. His amazing surgeon has given him clearance from all restrictions so he can start to build the strength in that leg and hip. He is off all antibiotics and pain medication. He will keep this spacer until it fails or loosens; then they will put in a permanent hip. We cannot say enough good things about Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. It has been a long road. We have learned perseverance and persistence. Any time you deal with infection it will be a LOOOONNG road. My advice to everyone is to seek a second opinion as soon as things start going bad. The surgeon was able to get all the length back during this surgery and remove the scar tissue (almost 2 hours of extra surgery time for scar tissue).
This is not the end but finally this third year things looking positive.
Prayers to all of you that you can find pain relief and expert health care to heal. Lori

I've always thought the pain was because I was working the leg too hard! Drs didn't tell me I shouldn't be in pain until we started a journey to put my hip back together. Having biopsy on the femur April 30th.
God's got a plan, we'll just have to wait until he unveils it.
Thanks for your support!!

Lori...this makes me so happy to read how your husband is doing and off pain meds too!!! I didn't realize they could leave the spacer in inefinitely, such wonderful news! I'll be praying for continued success for him and would love to keep in touch. Maybe he can teach me a few things!!! Cindy

Hi Cindy,
I had my 3rd or 4th hip prosthesis removed in Aug 2023. I'm not a candidate for any further replacements so I'm learning to live without a hip. I've been mostly using a wheelchair and a walker,occasionally, to practice in the house.
I'm wondering what you are using in the way of assisting devices since you are not in a wheelchair.
Blessing on your healing journey.
Melane

Hi Melane....I'm so sorry you have had to go through so many revisions and still lost your hip. My surgeon told me right from the start that I was not a candidate for revision, so I've never really looked into doing so. Perhaps since I have only been opened up once to remove the metal hip, it has helped me to heal better??? I have no idea really. I was in hospital for 3 weeks after surgery and they actually taught me how to go up and down steps before I left hospital with just one crutch and handrail. When I had home physical therapy, I started using crutches part of the time along with the walker and wheelchair. I'm kind of determined at 72 NOT to use a wheelchair except for when I have to go really long distances, like a stroll in the park or a large department store, etc. I figured if I live to real old age, I will eventually be in a wheelchair. I pretty much use a 4 wheel rollator with seat at home as it's easy to get around and carry stuff on the seat, but when I go out, I use crutches. I started with under arm crutches and finally went to the forearm crutches. I can walk short distances in the house with just a cane and when in the kitchen, I just hold onto counters to get around and I can take 5-10 steps without any aid at all. I spend a lot of time on exercising to keep BOTH my legs strong on a daily basis by doing two 30 minute sessions and I also ride an upright exercise bike twice daily for a total of 8-10 miles. My Girdlestone leg seems very strong right now and my only probablem is the pain in my "good Right knee", from a torn lateral meniscus and severe arthritis. I'm going to start a series of HA gel injections next week and my Ortho measured me for a custom fitted 'off loader knee brace' for my Right knee to use on and off. Are you following an exercise program daily? I think that is the most important thing to do for the best outcome. I know it's a pain, but I look at it as my "job" and I have to do it. I was an avid treadmill user for 30 years and walking, hiking was my favorite pastime. If you want to chat more, please feel free to reach out. Wishing you the best of luck on this journey to walk again!