Connect
What to do after multiple surgeries from hip replacement?
Hi I need some help and don't know where to go or what to do! I'm 63 and on June 15th I had a total Hip replacement and since then I've had 5 surgeries in 8 weeks? I've had a few surgeries and never had a problem before I heal really fast and well. The first one was going well but a couple days later I new something was wrong I couldn't put any weight on it, they did a cat scan and my bone was broken the Dr said they might of hit it on the operating table, so they went in and put in a longer stem and cemented it in. After about3-4 days I woke up in bed and couldn't move, I had to have an ambulance come and get me. Then a few days later I can't get up again this time my Hip is out of the joint! the Dr then told me I had an infection and they needed to go in and clean it out, so they did and then they told me that didn't work and I had to have it removed and put an temporary Hip in and get infectious disease Infusion for bacteria so now that is what I'm doing! The Medicine is making me sick and at first it wasn't doing what they wanted, now it's starting to work supposedly. I have suffered so much in the last 2 months and I don't feel there's ever going to be an end of this! Does anyone know what other options I have? Or been here before? Thanks Hip2022
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Joint Replacements Support Group.
Connect
Hi @cet58, welcome. 24 surgeries is a lot. Dealing with infections is tough. I moved your message to this existing discussion:
- What to do after multiple surgeries from hip replacement?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-would-you-do-hip-replacement/
I did this so you can read previous posts and connect easily with other members like you.
Are you recovering from a recent surgery now? Are you currently dealing with a lingering infection?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsYes I am I just had another infection and they replaced everything but the stem.I have had different kinds of infection and this one I haven’t had since 2017.
Hi @cet58 I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I had an excellent surgeon for my first hip replacement and didn’t have any problems. I had a different surgeon for my right leg. It started dislocating because he didn’t set the cup right. Just so happened I was referred to a revisionist. New to North Carolina from Boston. I also had infection. I would have to go in and he would stick a good sized needle in there and draw fluid out. I was also on an antibiotic. The first surgery done toward end of August. I also had a brace that he special ordered and they brought it to my house and fit me with it and showed me how to put it on and off. I had to be very careful and use my walker. When the infection finally cleared he took all that out and put one in that would not possibly dislocate. He showed it to me and explained what he was going to do. It finally got done right before Thanksgiving. I had a long road of healing after that. I asked him to show me the video of the surgery. If you’re queesy don’t ask. I have medical training so he did. I was amazed at what and how they did it. He accidentally cracked my femur which he told me was a possibility. So it is wired in. If my 7 year old grandson hops on my lap it is painful. My dr notes say that it is unstable. But I haven’t noticed anything with that. But if someone hits my thigh or jumps in my lap I have shooting pain but that’s the only time I had pain. It took from November to May to heal so I could ride my motorcycle. That’s my therapy. Did you have a revisionist do yours? I’ve never heard of a temporary one. Btw, I had run out of money for being out of work so long I asked a lawyer if I could at least get lost wages and pain and suffering. He said no. You can only sue if the dr permanently disables you and there is no fix. I think that’s a crock. What do they pay malpractice insurance for? A year after that he is no longer doing surgeries, consulting only. I think he got complacent. He was near retirement age. 62 or so. But I thank God. I had such a great revisionist. He called me every night to see how I was doing. That made me have more confidence. But I did my research on him before I let him touch me. But that is all he does. I think I had 4 trips in a ambulance because it was dislocated. I’d rather have natural childbirth it was so painful. Have you seen a revisionist?
While I had my knees replaced (hips will come eventually....) it is important to get a surgeon who specializes in revision surgeries. You mentioned your first surgeon was 62 and is now consulting.
It's not a rule and it's not ageism, but I like surgeons in their late 30s, early 40s with a good pedigree and a good number of surgeries performed. Younger surgeons just seem to be on top of their game as far as recent/new techniques.
Joe
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI agree. My revisionist is about 40. His parents are orthopedic surgeons at Baptist Hospital in NC. I have had both age groups and all were good except this one. I didn’t do enough research on him. He was supposed to be the top surgeon for sports medicine for all the local colleges. Should’ve dug deeper
My brother in law had hip surgery in April. His also became infected with MRSA. Because of the MRSA they removed his hip cleaned it taking two surgeries. The second one they put in an antibiotic hip for 6 weeks, along with 6 weeks IV antibiotic therapy. Lasted 8 weeks. At this time it was difficult moving, I'm told some cant . If you have MRSA I found out that the antibiotic of choice is Vancomycin for MRSA. after the 8 weeks he finally had his hip replacement but again needed 6 weeks antibiotic IV tx because of the MRSA. The sad thing is, he'll always have MRSA lying dormant waiting to reappear and will go right back to his hip. A tooth infection could be enough to kick it in. I'm wondering if he then will need to do this all over again with the antibiotic hip and IV.
Sure hope you find the help you need. Antibiotics for life is hard on the gut!
A question, I was in thearpy almost 8 months. 9 months out of TKR. Is there anyway my leg will ever be straight and out of pain. So much thearpy, exercising at home and at gym. Leg is so not straight. Dr. Did a mua and set Me farther back at 4 months out of surgery. I feel very hopeless and helpless. I have changed Dr. He says nothing he can do about my leg.