Walking without a hip joint

Posted by dzoneill @dzoneill, Mar 10, 2017

Is anyone currently walking without a hip joint?

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@acolquhoun

Hi Mike. My husband has been living without a hip for 4 months now and following surgery where they found another infection, he’s to continue without the hip for a further 4 months. The hope is that after these four months, the hip will be replaced is the staph infection is gone, although they’ve advised us the likelihood of recurrence is high and then he will be permanently living without the hip. Currently he is non weight bearing in one leg. Can you please tell me what your level of mobility is, are you actively employed and do you have any pain? Thank you for your post.

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For me the end game is the 2-1/2 inches if I want to walk without limping. I do walk using my regular shoes but it puts a of stress on my right hip, which has a artificial hip so and I get tired quicker. I also have two knee replacements as well. When I do wear regular shoes I'll usually use two canes which helps quite a bit. I should also let you know that I am 74 yrs. old.
I'm fairly active: I replace electrical outlets and light switches, take the trash to the corner, help clean the, I still drive (since it's my left hip and not the right I can still use the brake, and I enjoy woodworking. I lost my left hip in 2016 because infections. it was removed twice the area cleaned, but I had so much muscle damage and too many surgeries, it was decided to leave the hip out. Hang in there and don't give up. The road to through tunnel is long, but there is light there.If you want know more and I mean anything, just ask me. Best of luck. By the Way, I'm retired.

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@mep8776

For me the end game is the 2-1/2 inches if I want to walk without limping. I do walk using my regular shoes but it puts a of stress on my right hip, which has a artificial hip so and I get tired quicker. I also have two knee replacements as well. When I do wear regular shoes I'll usually use two canes which helps quite a bit. I should also let you know that I am 74 yrs. old.
I'm fairly active: I replace electrical outlets and light switches, take the trash to the corner, help clean the, I still drive (since it's my left hip and not the right I can still use the brake, and I enjoy woodworking. I lost my left hip in 2016 because infections. it was removed twice the area cleaned, but I had so much muscle damage and too many surgeries, it was decided to leave the hip out. Hang in there and don't give up. The road to through tunnel is long, but there is light there.If you want know more and I mean anything, just ask me. Best of luck. By the Way, I'm retired.

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Thank you so much. You make me feel not so bad about this prospect. I’ve had a limp for 8 years - not concerned about that, I would just like to still be able to walk and you seem like you’re doing amazing. Thank you

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Yes! Walking. How simple. And yet, all of my life I have taken it for granted. Never thanking the Almighty for the gift. I'm learning, thanks to you all here on the forum. We can all help each other "limp" through this life!

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@chellez2222

I also wanted to ask you if you are able to walk stairs without the hip? And what is your status of the second hip?
My mom dose not have both hips.

Thanks again diane!!!!!! I wish you well 🙂

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yes, I can climb stairs as long as I use a cane, it also helps if there is a handrail. My right hip replacement is hanging in there. Take care

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@mep8776

For me the end game is the 2-1/2 inches if I want to walk without limping. I do walk using my regular shoes but it puts a of stress on my right hip, which has a artificial hip so and I get tired quicker. I also have two knee replacements as well. When I do wear regular shoes I'll usually use two canes which helps quite a bit. I should also let you know that I am 74 yrs. old.
I'm fairly active: I replace electrical outlets and light switches, take the trash to the corner, help clean the, I still drive (since it's my left hip and not the right I can still use the brake, and I enjoy woodworking. I lost my left hip in 2016 because infections. it was removed twice the area cleaned, but I had so much muscle damage and too many surgeries, it was decided to leave the hip out. Hang in there and don't give up. The road to through tunnel is long, but there is light there.If you want know more and I mean anything, just ask me. Best of luck. By the Way, I'm retired.

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Gosh I so appreciate this info. I can’t tell you how important it is knowing others are / have battled this. Once I know the future I’ll be back and have a lot more questions. THANKS!

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@chellez2222

Thank you for your reply sue!

We are in canada, so it is somewhat of a team approach. The doctors are all not in the same hospital, but can communicate if needed. My mom is followed by a transplant team who are encouraging her to have the surgery. She also has a special hip reconstruction dr who was referred from her original hip surgeon.
No other doctor was suggested, however infectious disease could be interesting to consult for prevention of infection possibly.

Her current hip Dr, despite being a trusted referral and seems very competent, says it is a very unusual case, and he doesn’t have much to comment on how she could be walking without hips right now.
If ever you know of any schools, or places that deal with very unusual hip issues, I would be willing to contact them and ask their opinion.

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Can’t provide you hipless insight but a comment you wrote struck me. I live in the US (California) abs I can’t even get the doctors in the same hospital to work together on my case! You have doctors from multiple places and they are working together for your mom’s health. That’s very awesome!

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@norakathryn

Can’t provide you hipless insight but a comment you wrote struck me. I live in the US (California) abs I can’t even get the doctors in the same hospital to work together on my case! You have doctors from multiple places and they are working together for your mom’s health. That’s very awesome!

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In Canada they can consult with each other if needed. However, they mostly don’t unless it’s really serious and need a second opinion. We are good with referrals however 🙂 Our system has good and bad, like any system.

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@mep8776

yes, I can climb stairs as long as I use a cane, it also helps if there is a handrail. My right hip replacement is hanging in there. Take care

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Thank you so much. My mom just had her first hip replacement, so maybe she could climb stairs with one good hip eventually as she recovers from surgery!

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Mucha suerte que se recupere bien !!!

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I am getting an antibiotic spacer in my left hip Wednesday Oct 13th. In the jpg tof he right hip is getting the spacer.
In 2005 the operated hip looked just like the other hip. I suspect I shall be able to eventually walk with the device.
https://qsl.net/n8vzl/img/hips.JPG

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