Hi @akdinwoodie, I moved your question about how much mobility your husband may have while waiting for the new hip to this simialr discussion started by @mrfish

- What kind of mobility can I expect with an antibiotic spacer in my hip: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-kind-of-mobility-can-i-expect-with-an-antibiotic-spacer-in-my-hip/

I did this so you can read the previous helpful posts and easily connect with other members like @bcs123456 @humbert0 @amallasch @sueinmn @cindyrd68 @heyjoe415

Has his infection cleared?

I had to get a hip revision because of an infection. I had a spacer for 3 months between surgeries. I was never able to walk and get in and out of bed on my own. I was 57 at the time and fortunately during the pandemic. My wife and I were both able to work from home and she was able to meet my needs. No sugar coating, my first month was excruciatingly painful. I had a negative pressure wound therapy pump, and when wound care came to replace my sponge, I had to turn onto my non-injured side. The pain of moving my spacer that way was just horrible. I took my meds to time with the visit, but the side effects of the narcotics to me were almost as bad as the pain. As I tapered off the meds, the spacer became more bearable. Just about after the 6 week mark the pain became a discomfort that I tolerated until my hip replacement surgery. At that point I was at least able to transfer in and out of bed, and on my own to a commode. I could "hop" for a bit with a walker, but I was in a wheelchair and moving around on my own OK.

Flash forward about 18 months and my second hip replacement was also found to be infected. I have now had my spacer for 8 months. For the first 3 months I was on an antibiotic, which after most recent test indicate, may have eradicated the infection. My mobility was close to none for at least 3 weeks after the surgery. After that PT helped me transfer, and I've been managing with a wheelchair and walker ever since. I am able to transfer on my own, but my wife helps me get out of bed for safety, since one wrong move with the spacer will cause pain.

The surgery to remove the second implant caused damage to my femur, and my surgeon, who had flawlessly performed three hip replacements for me, admitted with humility that he is sending me out of my HMO network to another surgeon who has experience in reconstructing, an oncologist-orthopedist. I'm in line for a consultation and procedure.

Only speaking from my experience, but it seems like patient mobility depends on so many things. I'm overweight, but was active and enjoyed walking and cycling, which I think helped me bounce back. I do some leg strengthening exercises that PT showed me as much as I can bear with upper body, "wheelchair" and sit-and-be-fit exercises and weights. I find I'm relying heavily on my arms to get around, so it's worth it to build up those guns!

I would say to prepare your home for accessibility, if not just for a wheelchair, that at least safe mobility with a walker. Going up or down steps for me has been out of the question with the spacer.