1. < Bones, Joints & Muscles

Can walking be accomplished without a hip or hip replacement?

Posted by stargirl13 @stargirl13, Dec 17, 2023

I had to have 8 surgeries this year for a hip replacement which didn’t take due to bacteria. I ended up with MRSA so bad it took many additional surgeries to clean it out over and over, they finally made the decision to just remove the hip replacement and clean it all out again and not replace it. It bought me almost a whole year in a care center and much physical and mental anguish. They don’t want to put another replacement in and I personally don’t want one. I want to live without one , but I’m wondering how do I go about walking again with the assistance of maybe just a cane? I’m currently using a Walker around my house and a wheelchair when I go out shopping or to events, I can’t stand or walk for too long without dealing with major pain. I also have one leg longer than the other now so I am also wondering if a shoe lift could help out my situation in the future if I try and walk with just a cane.

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stargirl13 | @stargirl13 | May 25 2:59pm
In reply to @conroy "I am currently "learning" to walk with a cane. The turning point for me was to..." + (show)
@conroy

I am currently "learning" to walk with a cane. The turning point for me was to have my leg remeasured on a hunch. Sure enough my leg was actually longer by 1 1/2" than what the measurement was when I was in rehab! So I had the shoe lift adjusted accordingly. That made a big difference and I do not have any pain when
walking with the cane. So week 3 using the cane with my new shoe, I feel that with a lot of practice, I will be able to perfect my stride using the cane! Fingers crossed!

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Yeah but would you feel comfortable going to big social events like that? Like concerts…conventions etc…I currently use a wheelchair for big events like that and I use a Walker for at home

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conroy | @conroy | May 25 6:56pm
In reply to @stargirl13 "Yeah but would you feel comfortable going to big social events like that? Like concerts…conventions etc…I..." + (show)
@stargirl13

Yeah but would you feel comfortable going to big social events like that? Like concerts…conventions etc…I currently use a wheelchair for big events like that and I use a Walker for at home

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I can't predict the future but I didn't think I would be doing as well as I am. I am just grateful that I have survived sepsis, am no longer on antibiotics, had my hip removed and so much more. I am 80 and have resumed my interior design business to a small extent! I also have a great physical therapist who I am so grateful to ! So hang in there!!

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janeen17 | @janeen17 | May 26 11:38am

Congratulations, Conroy!
What you're doing is my hope. You are, in fact, walking without a hip! Can I ask, on which side are you using the cane? Is it the same side as your girdlestone or the opposite? Do you feel pain anywhere?

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conroy | @conroy | May 26 12:21pm
In reply to @janeen17 "Congratulations, Conroy! What you're doing is my hope. You are, in fact, walking without a hip!..." + (show)
@janeen17

Congratulations, Conroy!
What you're doing is my hope. You are, in fact, walking without a hip! Can I ask, on which side are you using the cane? Is it the same side as your girdlestone or the opposite? Do you feel pain anywhere?

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Hi Janeen,
Use the cane on the opposite side of your Girdlestone leg. I don't have any pain - discomfort at first but no pain. I recommend having an orthodist check your leg length and fit you with the right shoe. This isn't inexpensive but it's worth it! Also I hope you have a good physical therapist. Mine comes to my home twice a week and Medicare covers his fees. I was very "tipsy" at first but after only 3 weeks I feel more steady and confident. Best of luck, and get in touch if you have any other questions.

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janeen17 | @janeen17 | May 27 9:42am

Stargirl! It's so nice to hear that you're doing so much better than your earlier posts. You are really an inspiration! You made my day 🙂

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linamend | @linamend | May 28 8:03am

You mean you have no hip bone left, and no prosthetic device in its place? So what's supporting your femur against your pelvic hip socket?

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slkanowitz | @slkanowitz | May 28 8:04am

You can get heel lifts on Amazon up to 1 1/4 inch that fit inside your shoe and can be transferred to all shoes, just not sandals. It depends on the leg length discrepancy. Costs about 10 bucks. Those have worked for me. You have been through a terrible ordeal and I hope it gets easier for you!

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janeen17 | @janeen17 | May 28 10:11am
In reply to @linamend "You mean you have no hip bone left, and no prosthetic device in its place? So..." + (show)
@linamend

You mean you have no hip bone left, and no prosthetic device in its place? So what's supporting your femur against your pelvic hip socket?

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Yes it's true, and I can bet you that was our first question across the board. It sure was mine. I was stunned. It took me a long time to soak it in. " Can they really do that?"

But you'd be amazed at how much your leg can still do, even without a hip joint. When you hear us mention the term "Girdlestone", this is the name of the surgery that results in the condition we're talking about. I truly hope it never happens to you. -Janeen

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conroy | @conroy | May 28 2:55pm
In reply to @linamend "You mean you have no hip bone left, and no prosthetic device in its place? So..." + (show)
@linamend

You mean you have no hip bone left, and no prosthetic device in its place? So what's supporting your femur against your pelvic hip socket?

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If you read about the GIRDLESTONE procedure, it will explain it better than I can. I had SEPSIS which spread from my mouth to my hip pocket. They had to remove my entire hip (which was actually a replacement that I had done about 13 years ago with no complications).
I now have no hip on my right side and I started by using a wheelchair, graduated to a walker, and am working on being able to walk with a cane. I have a lift on my right shoe since my femur was cut during the hip removal operation and my right leg is shorter than the left by approx. 1 1/2"
I'm limping but actually able to walk which I am thrilled about!

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linamend | @linamend | May 28 3:36pm
In reply to @conroy "If you read about the GIRDLESTONE procedure, it will explain it better than I can. I..." + (show)
@conroy

If you read about the GIRDLESTONE procedure, it will explain it better than I can. I had SEPSIS which spread from my mouth to my hip pocket. They had to remove my entire hip (which was actually a replacement that I had done about 13 years ago with no complications).
I now have no hip on my right side and I started by using a wheelchair, graduated to a walker, and am working on being able to walk with a cane. I have a lift on my right shoe since my femur was cut during the hip removal operation and my right leg is shorter than the left by approx. 1 1/2"
I'm limping but actually able to walk which I am thrilled about!

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There IS a hip replacement in the girdlestone procedure.

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