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What kind of mobility can I expect with an antibiotic spacer in my hip
Joint Replacements | Last Active: Jun 23, 2023 | Replies (279)Comment receiving replies
I am scheduled for this surgery on Tuesday of this week. I have a fungal infection but won't know about a bacterial infectiion until they do the culture following implant of the spacer. I am told there is to be no weight-bearing on my right leg which means I will be confined to a wheelchair or walker or crutches. I've tried hopping around on a walker with one foot and find it very challenging. I am 78 yo. If you are fortunate enough to get rid of the infection in the first go round, I'd be doing the happy dance for you (yes, on one foot!) I would like to see that outcome for myself but don't want to get my hopes up.
I learned on Friday that I will not be doing PT following the surgery. Maybe down the road but don't know yet. I will be in a rehab center for what I hope is a short amount of time. Also been practicing pivoting on my good leg to chairs, the toilet, etc. and then lifting myself up on one leg. I like to think my body is developing a cell memory that will help make the transition easier. I have a regular wheelchair and a friend gave me a motorized wheelchair. I've used a cabulance to take me to appointments but will try getting into the car unless the pain is too much.
I have a supportive family and have done all the work to prepare myself physically, emotionally and spiritually at the recommendation of my surgeon who incidentally took some of his training at the Mayo Clinic. I will check in asap after the surgery.
Good luck to you.
Jan in Washington State
Replies to "I am scheduled for this surgery on Tuesday of this week. I have a fungal infection..."
@mrfish
Yes get a toilet riser!! It will make your life so much easier and won't put as much strain on your good leg. Also a reacher/grabber in case you drop something on the floor. I could start a store with all the equipment I have gotten over the past 12 yrs lol
Also make sure those suction cup grab bars are firmly in place...I had one slip on me before. A shower chair is also a great piece of equipment especially since this won't be your last hip surgery.
Best of luck to you BOTH!
Lindsay
What a small world. Thanks for sharing. I have felt very alone with this condition (Septic Arthritis) so hearing from others is a godsend.
What are active care leg cuffs? We got a sliding seat that I use for showers. I have a raised toilet seat and a bedside commode. I asked my doctor several times what to expect after surgery but he didn't give me any info. I'm a planner so it has been frustrating not having enough information. Good luck to you, @mrfish. As soon as I'm able, I will be checking back in. I'm all set up with lots of things to help keep my mind occupied during the recovery period.
@janelaine Best of luck to you!! You sound very prepared which will make the actual surgery recovery much easier on you! I've had a few spacers over the past 12 yrs and they aren't as bad as they sound. I wish you all the best and will be praying everything goes smoothly! Keep us updated!
Lindsay from Missouri
@janelaine yes I almost forgot the commode!!! Definitely a must if your bathroom is far away from your bed or isn't handicap accessible.
These forums truly are a Godsend! Hearing of others with the same issues as myself makes me feel less lonely on this Hip journey. I'm only 35 but have been through 5 hip replacements and 3 spacers due to staph infection so if I can be of any help please let me know!
Lindsay
Hearing from everyone is an answer to prayers. 12 surgeries! You sound upbeat and positive, but still, 12 surgeries is 12 too many. You are an inspiration to me. I truly appreciate your support and prayers. I have been using guided visualization and affirmations from Belleruth Naperstek. She has the most soothinng voice. This Hip Journey was not on my Bucket List.
The cuffs gently squeeze your calves (there's a small pump you have to carry around and it has hoses that run to each leg). They are supposed to improve circulation to prevent clots and help w/ healing.
Thanks. Don't know if I will have them or not. I'm busy packing. Arrival time at the hospital is 9 a.m. It's gonna happen. Best wishes to you for a successful surgery.
YES! The raised toilet seat has been super helpful. In fact, I wish I would have had it back when I had my original hip surgery. My insurance wouldn't pay for a shower chair/transfer bench that would make it easier & safer to get in and out of our tub/shower, but with my PICC line, and other wound dressings that can't get wet I really can't shower yet unless I use a full-body ziplock bag to keep all those other parts dry, lol. So it's all sponge baths so far and having my wife wash my hair in the kitchen sink with the sprayer. BTW, Walgreens sells a no-rinse shampoo that works surprisingly well (not the dry shampoo spray). It must be the same stuff that's in the shower cap-things they give you in the hospital to clean you hair.
I missed out on the shower cap/shampoo treat but thanks for passing the info along about the dry shampoo at Walgreens. I can see how the PICC line really complicates everything you do. I got a good giggle out of the giant Ziplock bag. My first trip by car today to see the doctor was a little more difficult and painful than what I thought but it was a treat to ride in the car and not in a cabulance. I need to get on track with my pain meds as I wait too long to take them.
One day closer to the goal line even tho I don’t know when that will be.
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Good luck @janelaine, my surgery is on Wednesday so we'll be able to compare notes. Very smart of you to do some of this practicing and planning before the surgery. I expect to be in the hopsital for a few days while they culture the samples taken during my surgery in order to get the antibiotics dialed in. I'll have to wear active care leg cuffs for a few weeks; those are a real hassle. My ortho said no PT while I have the spacer, but there will be PT after the new hip eventually goes back in. I went and got two handles that attach w/ suction cups to the shower walls to help stepping in/out of the tub. I didn't use a raised toilet seat after the original hip replacement, but I think I might want one for this procedure.