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What kind of mobility can I expect with an antibiotic spacer in my hip
About 11 months ago, I had a total (right) hip replacement. No injuries led me to the decision to undergo that, just arthritic pain that had become gradually worse over 20+ years. Several months after the surgery, I developed an infection at the joint but it took a while to get that properly diagnosed. So, in less than two weeks I'll undergo the first of the two surgeries/stages to elminate the infection and replace the implant. I've read that the antibiotic spacer I'll have for 2-3 months will provide "limited mobility" but I'm struggling with what that really means. I'd apperciate any further information I can get from others who have undergone this same procedure. I expect 2-3 days of hospitalization following the surgery and IV antibiotic infusions several times a day (self-administered).
I'm an (otherwise) healthy 48yo male and I was very happy with how quickly I was able to bounce back from the original hip replacment. I'm sure there will be a week or so of recovery from the surgery itself -- but after that am I going to be mostly home-bound for the interim, or is driving myself and working in an office setting (on a limited schedule) a possibility? What other aspects are there to living for a with a hip spacer?
Thank you in advance for your help on this,
Art in Alaska.
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I had just my left knee done. I know my right is also arthritic, but it doesn’t seem to bother me much. 🤞
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1 ReactionHi I promised an update when I saw my consultant. Unfortunatly my appt was cancelled until last Wednesday. I'm really pleased to report all is good. My CRP was only 4 ESR also low. Swabs taken at my last lot of surgery 5 weeks ago was negative so I haven't got to see him again for 3 months. At last, progress. Since the plate has been removed my walking has improved immensely, at last I can see an end to all of this. My surgeon was astounded I'd healed so well considering he has been into that hip 5 times in the last 2 years. I've posted a photo of the xray of the 2nd stage replacement last October and the broken metal work taken 5 weeks ago, the night before my surgery. You can clearly see the fracture the plate has caused. A picture will tell a story better than words sometimes.
I wanted to apologise to Brian as my last post read " My infection has returned (yet) since I've had my spacer." It should have read hasnt!!! I tried to find a way of editing it but couldn't do it! I've also posted an xray of my antibiotic cement spacer too.
Also Skidly I wanted to ask, how did that happen to your hip replacement? Are your bones made of swiss cheese? You must have been in agony. Was that last photo a Seroma? I have to say I thought it was an abscess. I really wish you well also and hope when you are sorted they will sort your leg length out too. Mine was almost 2 inches shorter but now I'm the proud owner of matching pins again. Just wished they looked like Marilyn Monroes😂.
Good luck everyone. It really is therapeutic and hopefully helpful to others to post. We've all been through too much.
Lin
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1 Reaction@linjane Tht's the way my first hip was installed. Someone brain farted. Right now my left leg is 3 inches shorter. LMAO swiss cheese. Hopefull hip number 6 next year works out.
Yea I take a beating well. Actually 1st and second hip replacement performed in Chicago. Then Hips 3, 4 & 5 here in AZ. The infection from the first 2 hips kept coming back. Can't beat fun. This sucks!
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1 ReactionI'm so sorry. I've had it easy (and that's saying something!) I have everything crossed for you in the hope that number 6 is the definitive one. Good luck.
Lin
So pleased you clarified that @linjane I too have had errors I could not correct. Guess we should immediately post again to clarify. Don't like the looks of the metalwork at all. I assume the top photo is of your new implant? Very neat. Is it as long as the other one? You can see the difference in length left to right. Mine is 30cm long to correct LLD and my leg looks like Swiss Cheese ... must write and get copy of X-rays.
Izabel xx
Ha, meant to say I wonder why they put screws in some ball joints ... I don't have any.
The top photo is a picture of the spacer. Everytime I have an xray I ask then if I can photograph the image. Didn't post the whole of the last xray of my entire hips as it looked a bit too pornographic. Took a lovely outline of all my soft tissue but that shows the different lengths too. Screws again i presume is down to the surgeon. My L. hip (the good one) also has screws!
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1 ReactionThanks for the clarification again, Lin. It's good to know all these things. I am glad I don't have screws ... look painful to me! I e-mailed my Surgeon yesterday and asked for copies of my X-Rays from Monday, it was both knee and hip as he did both.
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1 ReactionI had a bicycle accident in Paris that messed up my hip, Had the hip pinned in Paris and returned home to California. Went straight to my hometown hospital due to bleeding from the incision (4 airplanes over 20 hours). Once home, hip had to be re-pinned and then we discovered massive infection (again from France) that took 5 months of PICC line antibiotics. Had to have pins taken out and hip spacer put in until infection gone. Fast forward about 6 months - two total hip replacement surgeries cancelled due to blood work being off and now I have been told by employer (I teach high school at a private school) that I can't work at the school and need to go on medical leave until I can walk without crutches/cane.
Most recently had surgery schedule, had to cancel and now my surgeon is leaving the practice. So to get a new surgeon will take weeks/months and need to start teaching in 8 weeks.
So after reading my back story here is my question: Has anyone ever had a hip spacer and been able to walk or have a brace that lets them walk without aids?