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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
Following three hip replacements, my husband has now developed a staph aureus infection. He's undergone a course of antibiotics for 3 months and they've now found that he has infection in his femur. He's now on a 12 week course of antibiotics and hopefully at the end of this, if no infection, they will put a new hip in. Has anyone encountered a similar issue. If the infection doesn't go away, he's been told that he will permanently not have a hip. Can anyone with a similar diagnosis tell me what life is like without a hip - how is your mobility, can you still work and do you still have pain?
Replies to "Following three hip replacements, my husband has now developed a staph aureus infection. He's undergone a..."
I had two replacements due to infection. One was done in Thailand and the infection did not go away. In fact, it manifested itself as a huge weeping abscess on my hip 7 years later. I came to the US and had another surgery in April where an antibiotic spacer was put in and I had a 6 week IV course of Vancomycin, the drug of last resort. My physician told me that the infection builds an impervious layer on the joint that cannot be eradicated by antibiotics. Hip prosthesis removal is required and a prolonged course of strong antibiotics. I doubt the infection will go away without removal of the joint. Oral antibiotics are probably not going to stop the infection.
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Hi @acolquhoun and welcome to Connect.
I see that you did find this conversation as well. You will see that I moved your post to it so that you could connect with all the people who are having or had similar experiences to your husband like @humbert0, @danagpowell and @bcs123456.
You might also be interested in this discussion:
"If you're living without a hip like me, please reach out to me…" https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/if-youre-living-without-a-hip-like-me-please-reach-out-to-me/
Has he seen an infectious disease doctor yet?