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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)Comment receiving replies
I don't know if doctors would share that number or not. I have a staph infection as well and am taking Keflex. They said Vanco would not be necessary in this case but I may be on Keflex forever. My options are really limited. This is Knee #4 on my left knee and with each replacement the surgeon trims the bones so the prothesis will fit. At the moment my left leg is almost 3" shorter than the other. They tell me one option, if the infection gets worse, (and so far is doesn't seem to be getting better) would be to remove the joint, and replace my good hip with an artificial one, then run a straight rod to my ankle so my leg would never bend. The other choice is amputation. I was improving and was getting close to walking without the walker until I got a DVT near the prosthesis. Since then I have lost more and more feeling in my leg. But JK, you are right to be concerned, and the hospitals seem to go far to minimize the risk but people still get infections. Having to live with a Spacer is a life changing event IMO. I had one for 8 weeks with no load bearing and at 67 my muscles atrophy quickly and are slow to return. I feel as you do about the risk - if I knew then, what I know now, I would never, ever consider getting a joint replacement.
Replies to "I don't know if doctors would share that number or not. I have a staph infection..."
Hi @lturn9 . Oh my goodness, things o not seem to be boding well for you at the moment with these disasterous options which you face.
I know what you mean about muscle atrophy and no weight bearing. I am 70 years young and have had my spacer sine 18 October so 11 weeks+ now. As I lost 50 lbs over the last couple of years to take weight off my knees, I went down to 112lbs and should comfortably be 125-130lbs. As a consequence my wrist strength is pathetic, as is my good leg so I am useless at hopping on one foot with the walker. Consequently, I now use a leg energiser at maximum strength for 25 minutes every morning followed by using a peddler. At first I could only do 10 reps backwards but today I am up to 5 minutes going forwards and backwards and as a result have built up the calf muscles in my legs.
I also take Calcium & Vit D (on Surgeon's prescription, B12 and K2 to build up bone density as I have Osteoporosis, and take a probiotic daily. I also take an Omiprazole daily to protect my stomach from the antibiotic and an aspirin to prevent DVT.
I have a 2 inch LLD which hopefully will be resolved when I have the replacement hip.
I hate being in that 1% of unfortunates but as life is giving me lemons, I am trying to make lemonade ... although sometimes it is a little sour!!!!
My thoughts are with you.
Hello lturn9. I'm so sorry to hear what you have been going through. This sounds horrendous makes me feel really lucky! My leg was 2 inches shorted before they replaced my hip and I'm so happy to say my legs are now the same length. I'm 59 but my muscles atrophied even with partial weight bearing quite quickly with my spacer. I have to say now I'm fully weight bearing it hasn't been as easy as I hoped to get moving again. My back and knees have been incredibly painful but I'm pleased to say that's settling and I'm beginning to see the light at the end of a very long tunnel. Did you not have an anticoagulant to prevent DVT? I think I'm lucky, as Izobel I appreciate you've had it hard to not be able to walk at all, that would really get me down. I really do feel for you. I wish all of us the best of luck it's about time we all deserve a break. It just seems when you are down your kicked an awful lot with this condition. I agree wholeheartedly with your lemons analogy Isabel. That made me laugh. Keep strong. Lin x
@lturn9 I hope that you will not have to resort to amputation. Removing the joint does not sound great either, but at least that does give you a chance.
I feel more and more fortunate every day that things worked out as well as they did for me. Please let us know when you decide what your next step will be.
JK
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@Iturn9 I'm so sorry your going through this I pray they don't have to amputate your leg. I'm 36 and I'm starting to wish I would have waited as well