← Return to 7 Days Post-op with a Hip Spacer & PICC line - how do you manage?

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Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sueinmn

@yweldon What a marvelous attitude you have maintained throughout this challenge!
I have had multiple hip replacements/revisions, but no Prosthetic Joint Infection and removal. However my cousin has been living with a spacer for years because she acquired systemic MRSA that could not be cured, so no implant could ever be done.

You are in VERY early days yet! At 7 days post-op many total hip patients are still using a walker or a cane, and here you are with NO joint venturing out by Uber shopping, taking care of business, all with no joint, a PICC line and after a very intense orthopedic procedure - amazing.

As for Physical Therapy, you say "I'm unable to do most of the PT exercises I learned after the prior surgeries..." That will be the case - you need to ask for new PT to set you up with the correct, safe regimen to follow with the instability you now have. Also, the PT orders should include setting you up for an orthotic/lift/altered shoe to address the leg length difference.

Have you seen your surgeon for the first post-op visit yet?

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Replies to "@yweldon What a marvelous attitude you have maintained throughout this challenge! I have had multiple hip..."

@sueinmn

Hey guys I am 2 weeks after my left hip revision implant removal and I have an antibiotic spacers and I am in pain. I had an infection in my implant for almost 1 year and half. When I had my surgery, after 2 days later. The DR sent me home without no medicine for pain or instructions on how to lower my pain lvl. I just started to walk with a cane because I don't feel pain like a normal person. But this pain is not from this world lol. I've been taking 1500mg of Tylenol every 7 hours around the clock and have pain around my liver. I can't take pain meds because I take Suboxone and it blocks it. So I don't know what to do ?? Do you know how to get this pain under control?? I do see the surgeon in a few days