Walking without a hip joint

Posted by dzoneill @dzoneill, Mar 10, 2017

Is anyone currently walking without a hip joint?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Bones, Joints & Muscles Support Group.

@b4u

Rotsa ruc grasshopper! I went for my second Hip revision because the Socket Pocket eventually wore out after nearly 18 more years in my profession, Painting Professionally. First one was from a gate hitting my Ball Joint head where the solitary artery feeds it. At the time it was painful and the abused artery eventually bursted and the Head died. The orthopedic surgeon then was quite Excellent and ONLY a narrow scar marred my thigh. Legs were EQUAL LENGTH. After recovery I'd went onna Archery Elk hunt in Unit 5 & Harvested a 350 Point Bull that took 50th place in the Boon and Crockett record book. I digress. My second Hip surgery got me into a wheelchair. My mobility is MIA. Pro Bono infection as the free gifting required months of intravenous IV. The $30K custom prothesis was unused because after a year betwixt the CT scan and the surgery it didn't fit. That's in 2021 and I'm STILL looking for a competent surgeon to give me my Mobility Back. I Too have no HIP. SAFE travels brudder past 2022. I got offered a Shoe Lift to compensate. Hadn't taken the offer because the Second one shoulda Gone Right as my First was. I'm just a citizen sans surgery skills. My opinion only.

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I asked my dr if I could do a replacement in the future and was told there would be too much scare tissue.

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@janicesearcy66

Thank you for the information. Do you walk on you’re lift with aid or on your own?

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I walk with a walker. My left leg is really weak, plus the front of my pelvis was removed.

I'm trying some strength building leg and core exercises but will probably always need the walker.

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@geek_girl

I walk with a walker. My left leg is really weak, plus the front of my pelvis was removed.

I'm trying some strength building leg and core exercises but will probably always need the walker.

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I will be happy to walk with a walker because right now I’m in tremendous pain and in bed most of my day. I use a scooter or wheelchair to get around. My pelvis is broken for the second time now so I’m not sure what they will do during my procedure to remove hardware on 2-2-23. At this point I’m just ready to be pain free. Thank you for your responses. What are the websites for the shoes if I may ask?

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@janicesearcy66

I will be happy to walk with a walker because right now I’m in tremendous pain and in bed most of my day. I use a scooter or wheelchair to get around. My pelvis is broken for the second time now so I’m not sure what they will do during my procedure to remove hardware on 2-2-23. At this point I’m just ready to be pain free. Thank you for your responses. What are the websites for the shoes if I may ask?

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https://www.liftmyshoes.com/about
https://us.ecco.com/ecco-womens-yucatan-sandal-069563.html?dwvar_069563_color=02175
I had more pain before they took out the infected bone. It was a relief when it was gone.

I still get muscle and nerve pain. My back is messed up which causes pain in my feet.

This OTC item helps with the nerve pain:
https://www.luckyvitamin.com/p-73639-genceutic-naturals-bio-enhanced-natural-r-lipoic-acid-300-mg-60-vegetarian-capsules (2/day)

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@janicesearcy66

I will be happy to walk with a walker because right now I’m in tremendous pain and in bed most of my day. I use a scooter or wheelchair to get around. My pelvis is broken for the second time now so I’m not sure what they will do during my procedure to remove hardware on 2-2-23. At this point I’m just ready to be pain free. Thank you for your responses. What are the websites for the shoes if I may ask?

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I wear sandals because of nerve pain in my feet. Closed shoes hurt.

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@geek_girl

I wear sandals because of nerve pain in my feet. Closed shoes hurt.

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Oh that’s awful… they damaged nerves during your hip and pelvis removal? I’ve heard that’s a possibility but not talked to anyone that had it. I’m so sorry that happened to you.

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Not damage, it's from my back. Pinched nerves in my back cause pain in my feet.

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@dzoneill

I was born with a congenital hip dislocation and had 3 surgeries between the ages of 2 and 15. At the age of 26 (1985) I had a THR. There were 3 revisions, the last in 2006 at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. In 2013 I was admitted with sepsis, a massive mrsa infection which later mutated into visa. March 2014 the prosthesis was removed and I spent 2 1/2 years in a wheelchair and on IV antibiotics most of that time. Last summer my case was taken over by another surgeon who deemed it unwise to try another revision and we agreed. A new infectious disease doctor changed antibiotis and I am now mrsa/visa free. I have no hip and no spacers, the femur is significantly shorter, leg length difference is 3 1/2 inches. The new surgeon has me walking with walker and crutches and a 3 inch lift on my shoe. 3 months physical therapy to strengthen muscles atrophied from so much time in the wheelchair. I am about to move to one crutch, and the goal is a cane. Xrays show excellent build up of scar tissue supporting the leg. My original question was wondering if there are others having the same experience.

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Lots of similarities in our histories. Without a left hip since 2018. Wanting to connect to compare. Pls respond if interested.

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Hello,
This is an open question to everyone that would like to help, but I would love to hear from those who are already ambulating without a hip. I'd like to know what has help you the most, from assistive device to taller shoes or even braces with a mechanism to assist with flexion of the knee with each step or anything that has helped you walk as functional and as normal as possible.

I'm asking on behalf of my father (71 YO) he suffered a traumatic injury on his femur at the age of 36 (car crash) and ever since, he has have nothing but complication after complication and several surgeries over the lapse of the past 30+ years. He had a severe infection for the last 7 years, and doctors were reluctant to operate because his hip was so destroyed that it couldn't hold a new hip anymore (unless graft was use to build a new hip) and his infection was really bad. So, last May, he fell from the second story of his house while fixing the roof, they immediately had to do surgery, due to the severity of the accident they removed the hip (ironic how life works) long story short, he recovered, infection is gone completely, pain is gone, yet no hip. Doctors are telling him that he should not get anymore surgeries because things will just continue to get worse and that infection most likely will come back, he agrees, we are all happy. He is semi-functional right now, he is driving and walking with axillary crutches.
I'd appreciate any tips on what type of shoe or assistive device he should go for.
Thank you in advance

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@eddiegpta

Hello,
This is an open question to everyone that would like to help, but I would love to hear from those who are already ambulating without a hip. I'd like to know what has help you the most, from assistive device to taller shoes or even braces with a mechanism to assist with flexion of the knee with each step or anything that has helped you walk as functional and as normal as possible.

I'm asking on behalf of my father (71 YO) he suffered a traumatic injury on his femur at the age of 36 (car crash) and ever since, he has have nothing but complication after complication and several surgeries over the lapse of the past 30+ years. He had a severe infection for the last 7 years, and doctors were reluctant to operate because his hip was so destroyed that it couldn't hold a new hip anymore (unless graft was use to build a new hip) and his infection was really bad. So, last May, he fell from the second story of his house while fixing the roof, they immediately had to do surgery, due to the severity of the accident they removed the hip (ironic how life works) long story short, he recovered, infection is gone completely, pain is gone, yet no hip. Doctors are telling him that he should not get anymore surgeries because things will just continue to get worse and that infection most likely will come back, he agrees, we are all happy. He is semi-functional right now, he is driving and walking with axillary crutches.
I'd appreciate any tips on what type of shoe or assistive device he should go for.
Thank you in advance

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Good Morning,
Sorry to hear of your Dad's health issues. But there is hope.
As far as the lift for shoes - if you go on the internet and search SHOE LIFT you'll see several companies who provide shoe lifts at reasonable prices. Your dad will need to have his leg measured, if he hasn't already, to determine exact lift measurements.
Secondly, your dad my find using an upright walker is better for his back, arms n balance for walking. I have one and it is incredible. Amazon has the best prices n current reviews. I presently use an Elkener upright walker with 12" front wheels which is good for most terrains. Be your is another excellent brand. Average prices range between $200-$300.
Finally, I was told the same from surgeon regarding no further hip surgeries. The odds of serious life threatening infections is incredible. I had two previous hip infections which lead to near death sepsis.
I hope this is helpful. Please keep us informed of your dad's progress. I wish him all the best.

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