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.
Wow my friend! You have been through hell and back and from the sounds of your letter you’ve still got a lot more gumption left in you. I thought I was having a bad time. Sounds like the change of doctors really helped. I am not living with the same issues that you are just, just looking forward to a total hip revision in the near future. Always had really good luck with my hip replacement that is now 22 years old. I just really have to say that you inspire me. Humans like you are rare. Keep on. And thank you.
thanks for the replyI just got out of rehab I fell my spacer chipped and the pain is a 10, will know soo if I have an infection and then surgery again. What do you mean by a hip revision
Don't know if you are talking to me. I had a spacer put in 12/03/20. I'm using a walker and crutches but slowly transitioning to a cane and also have a 2 1/2 inch deficit therefore I'm using a lift to compensate. I'm pain free after surgery except for the muscle pain from exercising atrophied muscles. I'm hoping this continues with the pain decreasing. I don't know yet bcuz it's too early post op.
Don't know if you are talking to me. I had a spacer put in 12/03/20. I'm using a walker and crutches but slowly transitioning to a cane and also have a 2 1/2 inch deficit therefore I'm using a lift to compensate. I'm pain free after surgery except for the muscle pain from exercising atrophied muscles. I'm hoping this continues with the pain decreasing. I don't know yet bcuz it's too early post op.
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@maryjo8388, welcome and @bjg883, welcome back to Mayo Clinic Connect.
You have connected with other another and @coonhound. Members like @sunnyflower @clodaghcov @dzoneill @sueinmn @cheryl99 @1pepper2 also have experience with this topic.
If you haven't already done so, you may want to scroll through the comments and read previous comments and suggestions.
Like @maryjo8388, I'm curious if walking without a hip and with a spacer requires a lot of physical therapy?
Wow my friend! You have been through hell and back and from the sounds of your letter you’ve still got a lot more gumption left in you. I thought I was having a bad time. Sounds like the change of doctors really helped. I am not living with the same issues that you are just, just looking forward to a total hip revision in the near future. Always had really good luck with my hip replacement that is now 22 years old. I just really have to say that you inspire me. Humans like you are rare. Keep on. And thank you.
thanks for the replyI just got out of rehab I fell my spacer chipped and the pain is a 10, will know soo if I have an infection and then surgery again. What do you mean by a hip revision
yes but not well if I do nothing I will be in a wheelchair
wow I have didn't know your muscles would atrophied after exercise. Will they be taking the spacer out at some time
Do thet plan on taking the spacer out at some time, I may have to take mine out it has chipped
Yes and still have a walker my pain level when walking is a ten
Yes lots of exercise dont know if you can ever quit
yes it is on going and it is painful
Do you mean no bone? My husband has no bone and cysts. He was told to get thr but dr isn't sure it will hold.