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

I'm so glad you're on the other side of it! I had a terrible time with my spacer and was so glad to be done with it. Cultures do get contaminated sometimes, and I'm crossing my fingers for that to be the case with yours. You'll have your mobility back in no time, now get at it with the PT! 🙂

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?

We did go see the ortho Dr yesturday and he removed the stitches. My husband is relieved on that. We asked him about him stepping down on his left foot (like he did when he lost his balance twice yesturday morning) he said that was ok with the spacer in. He would rather have him do that then to fall. But he absolutely wants no weight bearing on his left leg. The reason for no weight bearing is because the spacer can crumble which makes it much harder to get out and if it crumbles it's creates a whole new problem. But my husband goes back to see him again Dec 4th and has to take another hip replacement class on Jan 4th and see the Drs again. He has another asparation scheduled for Jan 22nd and if no infection and all is good his new hip goes in Jan 31st. Even tho these dates are a couple months away I'm just glad they are scheduled.
Thanks for thinking of us. I will be thinking of you all as well.

We did go see the ortho Dr yesturday and he removed the stitches. My husband is relieved on that. We asked him about him stepping down on his left foot (like he did when he lost his balance twice yesturday morning) he said that was ok with the spacer in. He would rather have him do that then to fall. But he absolutely wants no weight bearing on his left leg. The reason for no weight bearing is because the spacer can crumble which makes it much harder to get out and if it crumbles it's creates a whole new problem. But my husband goes back to see him again Dec 4th and has to take another hip replacement class on Jan 4th and see the Drs again. He has another asparation scheduled for Jan 22nd and if no infection and all is good his new hip goes in Jan 31st. Even tho these dates are a couple months away I'm just glad they are scheduled.
Thanks for thinking of us. I will be thinking of you all as well.

Hi @mrfish I have followed your journey and ups and downs with interest. I am in a similar position and would gratefully accept anyone's advice. I am 70 years old and retired having lived a healthy life until .....

I had my left hip replacement in December 2014 following a fall after finishing radiotherapy for a breast cancer operation in October 2013. All went well with the recuperation of the hip replacement following 6 weeks of no weight bearing using a walker for 6 weeks and 18 PT sessions (quite useless actually).

In October 2017 I had another fall and after two hospital visits, X-Rays, MRI and PT for knee problems, during which time I could not walk, a visit to a private Ortho Specialist in February suggested it was more hip than knee problems and took an X-Ray which showed the stem was loose and had slipped. Briefly, back to original Surgeon, a car accident on the way to pre--ops and 3 hospitals later I came home with a knee replacement, hop revision to be done 6 months later after bone strengthening due to diagnosis of Osteoporosis. Six months pass and October 18 hip revision scheduled. Opened up and infection discovered, hip and femur power washed, spacer installed and put in isolation on IV antibiotics. Five days later infection identified as E-Col, put o appropriate antibiotics (Amoxcillin/Clavulanic Acid) via IV and taken out of isolation. After 8 days taken off IV due to veins collapsing, put on tablets 3xday and sent home with 'no weight bearing' instructions. I have to have blood tests every two weeks and this week was told things going well and cut back medication to 2xday due to my weight (115lns), I have to have 4 weeks clear before replacement can be scheduled.

I am finding it difficult to manage life in general. My staples were removed last Friday and I have a well healed scar. My problem is I cannot manage hopping or standing on one foot. My husband is a Godsend but I know it is a strain on him mentally and physically as I did everything (shopping/cooking/cleaning/gardening) for 50 years besides working full time.

Sorry this is so long but I just need support and encouragement to get me through this difficult time.

.... Disabled in Portugal ....

PS And to add to my woes I have a 5cm leg length deficiency due to the fall.

@izabel
I see you sure are going through a difficult time. It's wonderful that you have your husband there to help you just like I'm here to help my husband. We have just been taking day by day. Some days are better then others.

@jimandlisa Thank you for responding (Lisa, I assume). Does your husband manage well on one foot with a walker? I find it difficult with personal everyday tasks and get weepy whereas I am normally a strong-willed person. I will follow your progress and wish you wellness for the new year.

@linjane Pleased you are doing well. This is really a fight with these viruses. When I was admitted to the hospital for my knee replacement I had contracted MRSA from the previous hospital so on IV antibiotics and into isolation I went before surgery. Needless to say they double checked me for MRSA this time but instead I brought E-Coli to the table!!!

@izabel You poor thing MRSa was bad enough but guess you wanted to keep it company now with E coli hope you feel better soon and quit bringing bugs in .lol
I know how serious this is just joking with you .I came home from hospital with MRSA so know what you went through.