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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
Hi my husband had right hip replaced in March 2014 and left hip replaced on January 2015 and rods with screws in his back. He was doing very good. Everybody said they could not even tell he had his hips replaced. In August of this year he said he had some pain in his left hip, he was due for a follow up here in December anyway. I called ortho and made an appointment. They took a xray and wanted to do a hip asparation and put a steroid in the tenion to see if that would help. We went back a week later for the test results and his levels were so high to which the Dr new he had a infection and said he wanted to do surgery the next day. So Oct 26th he had the replacement hip removed and a spacer put in. He is now non weight bearing on left leg for 3 months and iv antibiotics (Vancomycin ) for 6 wks then the new is to be put back in. But how do they know if the infection is gone? And I'm worried because the Dr said no weight at all on left leg and he lost his balance and stepped down on his left foot twice this morning, will this create a problem with the spacer?
Replies to "Hi my husband had right hip replaced in March 2014 and left hip replaced on January..."
Hi Lisa. You have my sympathy I know where you are coming from it is a constant worry that the infection may come back. I've had the second stage 3 weeks ago and am doing well but there is a constant fear in the back of my mind. It's a case of taking it day by day and I have to say my new hip feels completely different this time so I feel reassured by this, as I always had pain and stiffness before. He must listen to his surgeon and if he says non weight bear that's what he has to do. I was lucky I had 50%. Although I did fall 2 weeks after the first stage onto my driveway. I saw my surgeon the next day as had an appt anyway. Everything was fine id done no damage. I was lucky. I wish Jim well. Vancomycin is a very powerful drug I had it with first and second stage so you must put your faith it that.
Lin
Wow, over three years and then an infection? I'm sorry to hear that, it must have been quite a shock. With my spacer they said I could be 50% weight bearing, and I doubt I could have really put 50% weight on it anyway...the pain was too great. Did they give your husband a reason for no weight bearing at all?
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@jimandlisa Ive never had hip surgery but being a retired O.R. nurse if the Dr told him no weight bearing on L.hip he needs to adhere to that the outside looks good but it takes along time for the muscles,nerves bone to heal so please listen to Dr.,does he use crutches ,cane or walker ?this will help him get around without putting weight on that hip.