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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
Oh my! I'm so glad to hear that. What a scare it was I'm sure. I pay your new hip continues to do well for you and no infection or any other complications.
I think I'm doing reasonably well with the spacer. I was toe touch weight bearing with my walker/crutches for about 5 weeks. The surgeon saw me before I left to head back home and I was released to drive home, weight bearing as tolerated, side leg lifts (a thousand a day he said jokingly), swimming, and very light stationary bicycle. It took me another couple weeks to put more weight on it. He wanted me to wean to just one crutch by the end of July and I made it. I do my side leg lifts, stretch regularly (whole body but carefully with the leg) and I've done some swimming, I feel the best in the water. It's sore in the front thigh area but I'll take sore any day over how crappy I was feeling with the infection. Every now and then I get some sharp pains when I do certain movements but not often and I can't identify what I'm doing so I just deal with it. I'm guessing it's the spacer, doesn't last long and it's tolerable. I think I was almost to make it to a cane the end of August but I tripped over a floor mat leaving a restaurant and had quite the setback. I did the try to keep yourself from falling thing and it was definitely not ready to take that weight or pressure in the front. I think I strained my thigh mussels and just tweaked my knee and whole leg in general. Back on two crutches I went. My massage lady has helped tremendously and is experienced in medical massage and orthopedics. Most importantly does not cost a fortune as most medical massage therapists do. I saw my Ortho here a little earlier than planned to make sure I did't hurt the spacer but it looks good and I'm about to send off my CD to the surgeon at Mayo and ask a few questions. I'm just now starting back to where I was before the trip thankfully.
Without some PT and more strength training I don't see me getting off my one crutch until I get my new hip. Which is fine, this leg has been through a lot of surgeries so I'm happy to wait it out to make sure and give myself the best chance for success with the final hip. I've got 40 pounds to loose so that will give me some time to get more healthy now that I feel good again.
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Hello from the UK. I've just spent the afternoon reading this thread. I wish I had found it earlier. I too have had a staph infection in a hip that was less than a year old. The bug I had was staphylococcus Caprae. I had a debridement in November 2017 and 6 weeks of oral antibiotics. The infection returned New Years eve! I had my hip removed 5/6/18 and a spacer inserted. I was in hospital 2 1/2 weeks had Vancomycin and oral Rifampicin. I came home on once day IV Teicoplanin and the Rifampacin. In total 7 weeks of antibiotics. Tomorrow I get the second stage hip replacement. It has been encouraging, Mr Fish to hear of your relief after the THR as although I have pain I havn't needed strong painkillers just Paracetamol and Diclofenac. I've had the occasional Tramadol about 2 per month. The grinding and popping makes me feel nauseous! I shall be glad to be free of that. I walk with a frame or crutches and am aloud 50% weight bearing. I know nobody that has had this surgery so would be lovely to chat to you all. Lin