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Need any advice you all might have. My very athletic, physical, strong 40-year old son had hip replacement 2-6-2018. Infected right away, and have been fighting staph ever since. After 2 months of many debreedings, wound vac changes, antibiotic IVs, infectious disease consults, home health care, etc, doc said hip had to come out, planned to put in antibiotic cement spacer. However on Monday, he came out of surgery and told us that the top of the femur was splintered and that he was unable to put in the spacer. Now he says my son will have to live without hip, that the open space will fill in with fibers and he MAY eventually be able to walk with cane, but that he will never have a pain free life. Pain if the only reason he had the hip replacement in the first place. Talking to our family physician, and his brother who is an orthopedic surgeon, and to our local college that has a BIOJOINT department. Surgeon has told me 3 times that this will qualify son for disability, as if that will make everything alright. It is inconceivable to me that we don't have other options.
Replies to "Need any advice you all might have. My very athletic, physical, strong 40-year old son had..."
So sorry you have had these results. Appreciate the advice. We have still not gotten rid of the staph, and have been told that it could result in amputation. Son does not know that part yet. No need to worry him over something that might not happen.
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I've been living without a hip joint for 14 months now. I use a cane in the house and a 4 wheeled walker outside but always have to use an electric cart when going to the grocery store. My story is on here somewhere. 4 surgeries, 2 dislocations, 2 staph infections. A few weeks ago I was actually considering going for a 5th surgery. Not anymore. Too risky for me. I wouldn't want to live through another staph infection and my chances of getting another one are high since I've had 2. What state do you live in? There are surgeons who specialize in hard cases. But he needs to realize that since he already has a staph infection, his chances of getting another one are higher than normal. Does he want to risk that again? The surgeon who removed my last hip is fantastic. He fixes what other Dr's screw up. It shouldn't be that hard to find someone to operate again. That's what surgeons do, they cut. But if you read all the horror stories on here about people having surgery after surgery and infection after infection you have to ask yourself "when is it enough?" One lady on here just had her whole leg amputated at the hip due to infections.Make sure he does his homework and read and research what he's looking at before he does it again. I'm 53 years old and crippled for life. If I had to do it all again I wouldn't do it. And I thought I was in the worst pain ever. Not even close to now, not even close.....