Double hip replacement - Getting up from a fall and gait changes?

My wife had total bilateral hip surgery as well. Some difference might be that it was obvious that a few things happened that really should not have happened. When she went into recovery where she remained for seven days, she was black and blue from head to toe, including her back and breast. Upon attempting to walk it was determined that either her femur nerve had either been severed or badly compressed making it so that she could not control this leg at all without a mobilizer placed. After seven days there she was sent to a rehab facility. Her second days at the rehab facility she was dropped onto the shower floor because the physician on staff failed to provide important information in her medical file that the patient could not be moved without the mobilization of her left leg. Everyone panicked and no one knew what to do to get her up off the floor and out of pain. I crawled down in front of her and had her use her arms to grip my neck and I stood up and the nurse placed her backside into the wheel chair. My wife remained at this facility for just a few days before I made arrangements for her to go home. Not one person took any responsibility for any of the things that had happened! We, my wife and I became very strong advocates from this point forward in her continued recovery. Nine months after being dropped at rehab it was determined that her right hip was indeed fractured and required an immediate revision; thank god the nerve in her left leg was only compressed and started to come back to life. And this my friend is extremely important. If you are feeling that you are not back to where you should be you need to take full responsibility and do what you feel necessary to get yourself back into a “ normal” life. Speak with your physical therapist and get their opinion, perhaps water aerobics, have your legs checked for length disparity, perhaps a shoe lift on one side or the other. I shared what I did , not to scare you but so that we get a clear picture of what might be of a difference. My wife has a gait that will probably never fully go away!
First off, you asked, how can a person get up with a double hip replacement. There should be someone there to assist or call 911 and ask for help, then a follow up to ensure nothing got broke or knocked out of adjustment. How long after surgery did this happen. And another important item, how long ago was the double hip surgery, is it medal on medal or ceramic? My wife has had 6 hip replacement thus far. Some due to neglect which I should add, Not One Person took responsibility for; and some due to Cobalt / Chromium poisoning. Her orthopedic surgeon right out refused to check her blood levels so upon returning home we went to see her primary physician and requested blood work. Thank God her primary took her job seriously enough that she placed the order and my wife’s Cobalt was like 17.6 and Chromium was like a 9; both extremely elevated; in addition she acquired two staph infection requiring the whole hip implant to be removed, medicated spacer placed, IV Antibiotics for 8 weeks and then a complete revision, again.
My wife continues to have a gait, continues physical therapy, 3 years after her last surgery. She is able to control the gait some of she walks slow and concentrates on her steps! It is a lot like learning how to walk all over again!
Be the best you can in advocating for your self; it is your body and you know if something does or does not feel right! Good Luck

First thank you for responding. Let me say I'm sorry this all happened to your wife and the two of you had to go through this awful treatment they gave her. I will be sure to take your advice. It's been since October I had mine and I have seroma as a result of my surgery. I can't say I been through anything bad with mine but I most certainly will keep an eye on my recovery as I go along. Thanks again for sharing and the advice. I will ask about what kind of prosthetics I have ceramic or metal or whatever one or two it is. Have the best day ever and I wish you and your wife a healthy day.

Sorry you have seroma (out of place pockets of fluid) since your surgery - is it draining, or are your just waiting for your body to absorb it? Is it in one or both legs, and does it affect your mobility?

I know that's a lot of questions, sorry! Like the previous poster, I had a complicated situation because I got chromium/cobalt poisoning from metal on metal (MoM) hip implants and needed revisions. Your implant is most likely not MoM, these are rarely used now due to their history of complications. Most likely you have "hybrids" of some sort, you can see what they are in your surgical paperwork as every component is identified by manufacturer and model and has a serial number. Keep this information because if you need to have any future surgery, the revision surgeon will want to know what you have.

Finally let's talk about gait! After having limped on bad hips for several years, 5 hip surgeries, and having arthritis in my spine, my gait was a mess. My revision surgeon sent me to a Rehabilitation Physical Therapist - a clinic affiliated with a large ortho hospital that specializes in getting people with birth defects, serious trauma, or complicated surgery moving to the best of their ability. In my case, it took a couple of months to undo the leaning, limping and incorrect foot positioning that was my "normal walk. " The therapy included getting a new pair of walking shoes, a thorough evaluation of my strength, balance and gait, custom exercises, daily practice, water therapy and more practice. It took about 3 months of 2-3 visits a week.

The sad thing - no more flip-flops, not even good ones with an arch - except by the pool or shower. Post therapy I gradually replaced all of my shoes that were worn down incorrectly from limping and twisting my feet.

That was over 10 years ago and I still get occasional coaching from family and close friends when I am limping or walking off-balance.

Do you have access to rehab therapists where you are (not what I call the "cookie cutter" list of post-surgery exercises in a big room full of patients)?

No, it's not drainingI'm waiting for it to absorb and it's in one leg. Again, I'm sorry you had to endure all of what you been through. I appreciate the information on which implant I may have. I will certainly get this info from my doctor.

that is an unbelievably HORRIBLE story to read. I am so sorry you had to suffer such a disaster. The only thing to say is that these events make us stronger, and we help others. I hope you file a lawsuit for neglect and damages. I know a surgeon who got away with murder (almost literally!), and finally, someone took him to court. He is BACK practicing after a few years. Doctors are people, too, and there are some sh*ty ones as well as heroes. I came so close to having surgery with the surgeon who was sued. I thank my lucky stars he got mad at me and wouldn't do my surgery. That alone was a horrid experience that stayed with me for 3 years. Until I found my HERO, and he told me he does all that surgeons revisions!!!

No! When my wife got dropped in the shower, we thought we might have a case until the attorney spoke with my wife’s primary orthopedic surgeon and he claimed that my wife had multiple falls, when if she did , she only had two. One when she was dropped during her initial surgery and then at rehabilitation. The attorney felt that there were to many misinformation in the surgical noted to generate a case in court. My wife received nothing except long term disability until she reached the age for Social Security. She now has found a new orthopedic surgeon that said that he would monitor her and do any follow up surgery if and when necessary! It’s been a rough 14 years. However, thank God she is able to get around as good as she does considering what she has been through! Glad you found a good surgeon! That alone is a big peace of mind!

Thank You

Seems like you had bad luck with your lawyer too! I am so sorry. I’ve had that as well. (More bad attorneys than doctors. I am afraid in my case.) I’ve learned to do a lot of research before I rely on an attorney or a doctor. It is unfortunate that we think because we pay these month people are hard earned cash that they are going to do right by us, but they don’t many times doctoring and attorney are actually creative endeavors. Because I am an artist, I approach things creatively which sometimes my doctors and attorneys don’t expect. There is more than one way to skin a cat as the same goes. If I find that, I am more creative than my doctors or attorneys. I do the research myself and then go find another who is smarter than I am. Even though I have probably one of the best orthopedic surgeons.(if I only had time to explain the success of my surgeries with him and the complications) it doesn’t mean that we can fix my body and make it whole. But he’s really good about advising me of the consequences. He is also good about listening to me and letting me be in the driver seat when I’m sure about something and he’s not. I think what I’ve learned. Is that the best doctors know they are going to make mistakes And they are humble and they work with their patients for the best outcome. For me – – if I can’t put myself on an level playing field with my doctor or surgeon or attorney then I have to find one who will let me be there equal. I am no doctor or attorney, of course But my doctor and attorney are only as good as the information I bring to them they have to be willing to work in tandem. I’m glad your wife is getting along and I’m glad you have a new doctor you feel confident with may you continue on with only positive outcomes!