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Walking without a hip joint

Posted by dzoneill @dzoneill, Mar 10, 2017

Is anyone currently walking without a hip joint?

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Profile picture for deb7019
deb7019 | @deb7019 | Apr 7, 2018
In reply to @deb7019 "Need any advice you all might have. My very athletic, physical, strong 40-year old son had..." + (show)
Profile picture for deb7019 @deb7019

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.

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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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deb7019 | @deb7019 | Apr 7, 2018
In reply to @bernese53 "I am not sure whether or not your son lives within a reasonable distance of any..." + (show)
Profile picture for bernese53 @bernese53

I am not sure whether or not your son lives within a reasonable distance of any Mayo Clinic locations but I would strongly urge him to seek a second opinion at the Mayo Clinic. I remember reading an article about Mayo Clinic finding that 80 percent of initial diagoneses are not correct.
Best of luck to your son.

Helen

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Thanks for your input Helen. We are not close to Mayo, but I am more than ready to load him up as soon as we can and haul him up there. Hadn't checked yet to see if they do anything with joints, but will definitely get on that!

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joeval | @joeval | Apr 12, 2018

Hello @dzoneill, my husband had a complete Girdlestone with No replacement on December 31, 2005! At the time of his surgery, he was not and never will be candidate for a prosthetic replacement!

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1 reply
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bjg883 | @bjg883 | Apr 24, 2018
In reply to @hip2012 "I am currently without my right hip because of infections in my hip replacements. I had..." + (show)
Profile picture for hip2012 @hip2012

I am currently without my right hip because of infections in my hip replacements. I had both hips replaced my left in 2012 and my right in 2015 I unfortunately got infections after both hip replacements and have been in server pain since .My new consultant told me I needed a revision of both hips,so in early June I had the first stage revision of my hip done,one week later they felt it safe to put my hip back in when they did I got another infection in my hip. I had two washouts in a week followed by a 3 week course of iv antibiotics,two days after stopping the antibiotics my hip flared up again so my consultant took me back to surgery an removed all of the hip implants ,then started another 6 weeks of iv antibiotics.I have now been home for the past 10 days without a hip joint the day time is pritty much pain free but in bed at night is quite painfull,I have an appointment in mid October to see if my infection has cleared up and if it has they will make an other appointment for me to have my new hip joint put back in this will be the 3rd replacement on my right side.my hopes are that it will not get infected again and my recoveary will go well,when it is strong enough my left hip has to be revised.I am 44 years of age with 3 small kids and my hips problems have taken over my life in the past few years I have not worked in 5 years or even driven a car in the past 7 years,my original problem was I had AVN of both hips but my constant recurring infections have realy complated things.Any advice or peoplewith similar hip problems their advice would be appropriated.

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Hi I am 34 years old and I've had my left hip removed with no replacement I got osteomylitis and was in severe pain the doctors refused to do blood work or xrays thinking due to my age I was over exaggerating I went to the er 4 different times without xrays or blood work. When I was finally taken seriously my hip was gone, completely eaten away by infection and it was septic. I spent 3 months hospitalized I'm in pain everyday it's been over a year now and no talk of a replacement Dr's tell me they have to make sure the infection is gone but it's been over a year I'm losing muscle I'm in a wheelchair and I'm questioning how ethical it is to leave a. 34 year old without a hip. I can't work, my husband can't work. I need 24 hour care and things are getting rough.

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cheryl99 | @cheryl99 | Apr 26, 2018

My hip was removed 2 years ago. I had a great Doctor At UNC Chapel Hill. Hip was removed because of radiation damage and a infection caused by a cat bite. I was in a brace for 9 weeks after surgery to let scar tissue build and support the leg. While I was in a wheelchair for a while, I went to therapy and worked really hard with my goal being able to walk. Today I can walk very well with a walker. I use a rolling walker when outside the home and can use a cane for short walks like going into a doctor office or restaurant. I know there was doubt as to whether I would be able to walk but I tried to maintain a positive attitude and faith that God would allow me to walk. I do wear a raised shoe because my right leg is a inch and a quarter shorter because of the hip removal and the dead bone removed. I believe this was a factor in my walking. I will not be able to have a new hip because of the damage to the bones because of radiation.

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4 replies
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hipless | @hipless | Apr 28, 2018
In reply to @JustinMcClanahan "Hello @dzoneill, and welcome to Connect. Would you mind telling us a bit more about your..." + (show)
Profile picture for Justin McClanahan, Moderator @JustinMcClanahan

Hello @dzoneill, and welcome to Connect.

Would you mind telling us a bit more about your question? We have a lot of members who have discussed having hip issues or replacements, but I have not come across the question regarding lack of a hip joint. Is this from an injury, surgery, or other medical issue?

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Hello, First thank you for responding to me also i hope to make many friends. My situation started in 2008 i slipped and fell on ice and shattered my hip. Since then i had a total hip replacement and then in 2010 i had have revision and 201 another revision the hips kept falling apart so the one in 2011 the doctor put in a cup cage to hold the hip and June 2017 i told the doctor my hjp was hurting. He basically said because i had a sore on my loer leg he couldnt do anything. . Well i was put on no weight on my leg. In In September October November and December i had a lump on my side the doctor said it was my pelvis from sitting. Well it wasnt my pelvis. I finally was takin into surgery in January 2018 because my leg blew up swollen. Well the lump was a giant infection and they removed all my hardwear. Now its been 4 months and they still couldn't figure out what kind of infection it was. I did IV Antibiotics for 10 weeks then oral antibiotics. Im still on them . im wondering if anybody without a hip can do stairs? Up or down?? ]lease help me i cant do them. I use a walker to get around. Thanks 4 listening

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lynzze | @lynzze | Apr 28, 2018
In reply to @JustinMcClanahan "Hello @dzoneill, and welcome to Connect. Would you mind telling us a bit more about your..." + (show)
Profile picture for Justin McClanahan, Moderator @JustinMcClanahan

Hello @dzoneill, and welcome to Connect.

Would you mind telling us a bit more about your question? We have a lot of members who have discussed having hip issues or replacements, but I have not come across the question regarding lack of a hip joint. Is this from an injury, surgery, or other medical issue?

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@hipless there is possibility that you will be able to do stairs however unless you have a lot of upper body strength and can hold you weight to advance to the next step it will probably be 6 months to a year before you can bear weight on it. Some people never can. I was lucky enough to be able to and in fact i walked on my no hip leg at about 1 yr post op. I also lost my hip to infection..actually 5 times. My story is very rare though. My body just rejected every one. I hope and pray you are able to get another hip and keep it. If you have any questions let me know...unfortunately have been through it enough to be an expert lol

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Profile picture for lynzze
lynzze | @lynzze | Apr 28, 2018
In reply to @JustinMcClanahan "Hello @dzoneill, and welcome to Connect. Would you mind telling us a bit more about your..." + (show)
Profile picture for Justin McClanahan, Moderator @JustinMcClanahan

Hello @dzoneill, and welcome to Connect.

Would you mind telling us a bit more about your question? We have a lot of members who have discussed having hip issues or replacements, but I have not come across the question regarding lack of a hip joint. Is this from an injury, surgery, or other medical issue?

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@froggy1 I hope and pray your next surgery goes as planned! Time is on your side because you have left it out for a year +. I had 5 total hips and can completely relate.

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Profile picture for cheryl99
cheryl99 | @cheryl99 | Apr 28, 2018
In reply to @JustinMcClanahan "Hello @dzoneill, and welcome to Connect. Would you mind telling us a bit more about your..." + (show)
Profile picture for Justin McClanahan, Moderator @JustinMcClanahan

Hello @dzoneill, and welcome to Connect.

Would you mind telling us a bit more about your question? We have a lot of members who have discussed having hip issues or replacements, but I have not come across the question regarding lack of a hip joint. Is this from an injury, surgery, or other medical issue?

Jump to this post

I too do not have a hip. I can climb stairs using a cane and rail (up and down). I can also climb using a regular walker if needed. Hopefully you are going to therapy so they can help you with exercises to build your strength. The therapist I went to was great. When I started I was in a wheelchair. When finished I could walk using a walker and I could walk using a cane for short distances. I use a four wheel walker when out shopping. Just maintain a positive outlook and tell your therapist your goal is to walk, climb stairs, etc. My doctor did not know if I would be able to walk because they had to remove so much bone and take part of my pelvis. Loved it when I proved to him I could. Good Luck. Let me know if you have any questions.

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Profile picture for hipless
hipless | @hipless | Apr 28, 2018
In reply to @hip2012 "I am currently without my right hip because of infections in my hip replacements. I had..." + (show)
Profile picture for hip2012 @hip2012

I am currently without my right hip because of infections in my hip replacements. I had both hips replaced my left in 2012 and my right in 2015 I unfortunately got infections after both hip replacements and have been in server pain since .My new consultant told me I needed a revision of both hips,so in early June I had the first stage revision of my hip done,one week later they felt it safe to put my hip back in when they did I got another infection in my hip. I had two washouts in a week followed by a 3 week course of iv antibiotics,two days after stopping the antibiotics my hip flared up again so my consultant took me back to surgery an removed all of the hip implants ,then started another 6 weeks of iv antibiotics.I have now been home for the past 10 days without a hip joint the day time is pritty much pain free but in bed at night is quite painfull,I have an appointment in mid October to see if my infection has cleared up and if it has they will make an other appointment for me to have my new hip joint put back in this will be the 3rd replacement on my right side.my hopes are that it will not get infected again and my recoveary will go well,when it is strong enough my left hip has to be revised.I am 44 years of age with 3 small kids and my hips problems have taken over my life in the past few years I have not worked in 5 years or even driven a car in the past 7 years,my original problem was I had AVN of both hips but my constant recurring infections have realy complated things.Any advice or peoplewith similar hip problems their advice would be appropriated.

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Hello, I'm sorry your going thru this. I know how you feel Doctors dont listen to their patients. I'm currently without a hip its been almost 5 months. I believe my infection is gone now i was on IV antibiotics and then oral antibiotics and then i got pneumonia. I'm gonna DEMAND my hip be put back in. I went thru 1 total hip replacement and 2 revision i also live in pain everyday. Thank God for our husbands. I don't know many men that would deal with al of this.. Good Luck

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