Walking without a hip joint

I was born with a congenital hip dislocation and had 3 surgeries between the ages of 2 and 15. At the age of 26 (1985) I had a THR. There were 3 revisions, the last in 2006 at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. In 2013 I was admitted with sepsis, a massive mrsa infection which later mutated into visa. March 2014 the prosthesis was removed and I spent 2 1/2 years in a wheelchair and on IV antibiotics most of that time. Last summer my case was taken over by another surgeon who deemed it unwise to try another revision and we agreed. A new infectious disease doctor changed antibiotis and I am now mrsa/visa free. I have no hip and no spacers, the femur is significantly shorter, leg length difference is 3 1/2 inches. The new surgeon has me walking with walker and crutches and a 3 inch lift on my shoe. 3 months physical therapy to strengthen muscles atrophied from so much time in the wheelchair. I am about to move to one crutch, and the goal is a cane. Xrays show excellent build up of scar tissue supporting the leg. My original question was wondering if there are others having the same experience.

@nicoleb21809 Hi, and welcome to Connect.
It must be difficult to get around without your hip replacement. Will they replace it eventually? That's great that you can still get some exercise riding a bike too.
I hope you will tell us more about the eventual plans, if there are some.
JK

I have a girdlestone hip too. My hip was crushed by an accident. My hip replacement was removed because of an infextion. With no hip replacement i can walk complete pain free. I dont need a stick, cruch or anything. I can ride a bike too. Besides iam a Bodybuilder and i can still do some squats. I habe absolutely no problems with sex and i can do much thinks i could not do with a hip replacement. I can even reach my toes from standing. I would not want a new hip. The only annoing thing is the length difference of 7 cm.

I was born with a congenital hip dislocation and had 3 surgeries between the ages of 2 and 15. At the age of 26 (1985) I had a THR. There were 3 revisions, the last in 2006 at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. In 2013 I was admitted with sepsis, a massive mrsa infection which later mutated into visa. March 2014 the prosthesis was removed and I spent 2 1/2 years in a wheelchair and on IV antibiotics most of that time. Last summer my case was taken over by another surgeon who deemed it unwise to try another revision and we agreed. A new infectious disease doctor changed antibiotis and I am now mrsa/visa free. I have no hip and no spacers, the femur is significantly shorter, leg length difference is 3 1/2 inches. The new surgeon has me walking with walker and crutches and a 3 inch lift on my shoe. 3 months physical therapy to strengthen muscles atrophied from so much time in the wheelchair. I am about to move to one crutch, and the goal is a cane. Xrays show excellent build up of scar tissue supporting the leg. My original question was wondering if there are others having the same experience.

@bjg883 well I know how you feel but unfortunately the doctors do what is best for your health vs. what would make our lives easier. I went 4+ years without a hip because I had 4 THRs fail due to infection and they told me the best thing to do was to leave it out as long as possible. The longer you can go without infection the better your chances will be for a successful reimplantation. Now nothing is guaranteed obviously... even after leaving mine our for four year #5 still got infected and they had to remove it and said that I was no longer a candidate for THR because my body would basically reject it. Obviously my case is rare but it does happen and i'm only 35. Have you applied for disability?? Some state programs pay for someone to come into your home and help you so your spouse could work. I was lucky enough to still be able to walk without a hip (at 1 yr. post op) plus I was already on disability (because it has been going on for 12 years)

After hip replacement surgery 3 years ago which had to be removed because of infection and several more attempts at revision, it was deemed too risky to try again. i currently have no hip and about to start P/T to strengthen what is left. I am very motivated and pray, pray, pray that I should be lucky enough to have half your success in walking. I detest having to have others do for me.

@gerhard9321 you sound very fortunate to be able to do so well, I am impressed. Some of that must be your own determination.
JK

Yes I’ve had significant leg length difference. I have always worn a shoe with a lift but we had to increase it. It has been almost a year since last surgery where I was left without a hip. I’m doing very well though do need a walker. I might be able to advance to 2 canes. Still some limitations but wow after 8 years no more infections!

did you also have considerable bone loss as I do after so many attempts to replace your hip? I pray I can achieve some success in walking without a walker.