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

Joint Replacements | Last Active: Aug 26 2:26pm | Replies (282)
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@jbro

Isabel,
My infection did not involve E-Coli, so I do not know which antibiotic(s) are best for that. You can be confident your doctor started with the best treatment. In conversations I had with my infectious disease doctor, she said there are certain instances when she will change the antibiotic, or the method of delivery. Your case probably doesn’t require that, but it is OK to ask. I bombarded my surgeon and infectious disease doctors with questions because I thought the stakes were too high (with a MRSA infection) not to be fully informed. To fight MRSA, I was given the option of either Vancomycin or Daptomycin, both via daily infusions for 6 weeks. I chose Daptomycin because it only requires one infusion each day, rather than two. Also, they thought it would be kinder to my kidneys. Since making that choice, I have read that a Vancomycin-resistant MRSA now exists (referred to as VRSA), although not widespread yet. Scary stuff. I am praying for the eradication of harmful microorganisms in all of us. Blessings, and Happy New Year, jbro

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Replies to "Isabel, My infection did not involve E-Coli, so I do not know which antibiotic(s) are best..."
izabel | @izabel | Jan 2, 2019

@jbro. I had the MRSA on March when I had the TKR ... well, to be specific the week before as I had contracted it at the previous hospital I transferred from. I was in isolation for 5 days and I don't know what antibiotic I was on but it cleared in that my Surgeon performed the TKR. This current E-Coli infection is in my hip discovered when Surgeon (same one as knee) opened me to do Hip Revision, originally having been done in December 2014 at the hospital where I contracted the MRSA! The current hospital (private) tested me twice during the last episode for MRSA with negative results.

I understand even those in the medical profession do not know how or why some get infections. My Infectious Diseases doctor told me we all have E-Coli in our system (like Herpes) and sometimes it just comes out to play! He said perhaps it saw a foreign body (ie my hip prothesis) and decided to go reside there! Better there than the liver and kidneys which has devastating consequences. Both of my are currently checked regularly.

I know people don't agree using the same Surgeon for knees and hips let alone revisions ... but this guy is tops and been with this hospital 18 years and well respected and recommended. My TKR in March has great ROM and is straight and the scar is fading into oblivion. He also takes time with me and he has a wonderful bedside manner. He visited every day in hospital (16 days) even donning hazmat gear, I have never seen a PA and even he calls me at home with results. Could not ask for better.

I am wishing everyone on here to have a good healthy 2019.

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