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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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Erika | @erikas | Jan 13, 2021
In reply to @maryjo8388 "Did it take a lot of physical therapy?" + (show)
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Did it take a lot of physical therapy?

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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?

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hopalongnm3 | @hopalongnm3 | Jan 14, 2021
In reply to @dzoneill "I was born with a congenital hip dislocation and had 3 surgeries between the ages of..." + (show)
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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.

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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.

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1pepper2 | @1pepper2 | Jan 16, 2021

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

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1pepper2 | @1pepper2 | Jan 16, 2021
In reply to @maryjo8388 "Are you walking with a walker" + (show)
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Are you walking with a walker

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yes but not well if I do nothing I will be in a wheelchair

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1pepper2 | @1pepper2 | Jan 16, 2021
In reply to @coonhound "Don't know if you are talking to me. I had a spacer put in 12/03/20. I'm..." + (show)
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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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wow I have didn't know your muscles would atrophied after exercise. Will they be taking the spacer out at some time

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1pepper2 | @1pepper2 | Jan 16, 2021
In reply to @bjg883 "I can walk without a walker around the house but terrain I need a walker and..." + (show)
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I can walk without a walker around the house but terrain I need a walker and can only go short distance I need my wheelchair to go far

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Do thet plan on taking the spacer out at some time, I may have to take mine out it has chipped

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1pepper2 | @1pepper2 | Jan 16, 2021
In reply to @maryjo8388 "Did it take a lot of physical therapy?" + (show)
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Did it take a lot of physical therapy?

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Yes and still have a walker my pain level when walking is a ten

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1pepper2 | @1pepper2 | Jan 16, 2021
In reply to @coonhound "Don't know if you are talking to me. I had a spacer put in 12/03/20. I'm..." + (show)
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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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Yes lots of exercise dont know if you can ever quit

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1pepper2 | @1pepper2 | Jan 16, 2021
In reply to @maryjo8388 "Did it take a lot of physical therapy?" + (show)
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Did it take a lot of physical therapy?

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yes it is on going and it is painful

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palmsprings59 | @palmsprings59 | Jan 27, 2021

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.

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