What kind of mobility can I expect with an antibiotic spacer in my hip

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

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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

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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

Jump to this post

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

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Best of luck to you, Jan (@janelaine)! You sound strong and ready for this challenge. I have two family members that have had this same procedure done and both of them had a flawless outcome. I'm wishing the same for you! Being physically and mentally prepared was a huge help to them and it sounds like you are on that same track- good for you!

Here were a few more tips I found that will hopefully aid you in a smooth transition post operatively.
•Arrange to have a friend or relative prepare some meals for you
•Place everyday items at waist level, so you can avoid having to bend down or reach up
•Consider making some modifications to your home, such as getting a raised toilet seat if you have an usually low toilet

I'll be checking back on you!
Please let us know along the way 1) how you are feeling and 2) if you feel up to it- try to document any tips or tricks you have found useful that can be shared with the community. 🙂

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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

Jump to this post

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

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I've had the opportunity to do some more reading tonight about anterior versus posterior approaches and I feel more at ease than I was earlier. I was under the impression that the anterior approach led to significantly shorter recovery times and that doesn't seem to be the case, or at least not as significant as I had thought. I guess one interesting aspect of my surgical travails will be a first person perspective on both the anterior and posterior methods.

And, yikes, as one of my pre-surgery tests/exams today, I was on the receiving end of a MRSA nasal swab test. At least it was over quickly, but I hope I never need one of those again.

9 days to go.

Thank you to all for your input so far. Any more insights/experience would be greatly appreciated.
Art in Alaska

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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

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