Janeen
My husband had a Girdlestone in September of 2022 in Lansing, MI. It was the 6th surgery on that hip in 6 months. He never was able to get the pain under control. In December of 2022 we made our first visit to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Our first visit the orthopedist said he would do nothing but moniter for one year after the Girdlestone. My husband did PT to try and keep that leg strong while he gradually was weaned off antibiotics in March of 2023 (He had been on antibiotics either IV or oral since Feb 2022. Finally in Sept 2023 he was told that if he could make it one year off antibiotics, a new hip could be possible (Lansing doctors said too risky to ever have a new hip). After much consideration of the risks, he had an antibiotic spacer placed in March 2024. The infectious disease doctor signed off at the 6-week post-surgery checkup. Yesterday he had the spacer removed and a permanent hip. Infectious disease doctor was consulted before surgery and his recommendation is 2 weeks of oral antibiotics for this surgery.
I know some can never come off the antibiotics. Bill has felt so much better. After one year of fighting two different types of infections, he is greatly improved. His ID dr in Lansing wanted him forever on antibiotics but after nearly two years off of them. The drs here in Rochester are confident that this surgery will be a success. Do not hesitate to get a second opinion. Sometimes your hometown doctor does not have all the answers.

Hang in there,
Lori