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.

@pdtsomerset

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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Thank you so much for your response, very good information, I will try to find the walker and the shoe lift makers. I just hope dad stubbornness cooperates 😅. But that’s a different issue for another time haha. Thank you much for all the info.

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I am looking at having my spacer removed. I will be to the point of not being able to have one put back in. I am not sure what the future holds in the way of walking. How long did it take for you to go from having the hip removed to being able to walk with a walker? I have so many questions regarding life without the hip joint

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@coltura68

I am looking at having my spacer removed. I will be to the point of not being able to have one put back in. I am not sure what the future holds in the way of walking. How long did it take for you to go from having the hip removed to being able to walk with a walker? I have so many questions regarding life without the hip joint

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Hi,
Within 24hrs of my hip removal surgery I was up an using a walker. Of course there was the issue of leg length deficit but I still was able to slowly increase my time with the walker. I was told by PT they want you walking so you don't lose strength in the leg.
Once I was transferred to rehab they measured my leg for a shoe lift. Presently I have a 4 inch lift. While in rehab the focus was on day to day activities acclimating to the new leg variance...sych as maneuvering in the kitchen, bathroom, stairs etc. OP helped with bathing using a bench n transferring etc.
Hope this helps. Any other questions concerns just ask. This is an excellent forum to do so.
Peter

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My hardware was removed. I have no left hip joint. I cannot sit, walk, and have pain daily.
I am awaiting another hip revision to install a custom made hip replacement and have my hip socket rebuilt.

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@JustinMcClanahan

@dzoneill, thank you for telling us more about your hip issue. You have overcome so much already and I have no doubt your perseverance will be empowering to some of our other members.

While my initial search has not found anyone who has experienced something exactly as you, but I will keep looking. I would like to invite some members who have had hip replacements and hip issues who will have some shared experiences with you in the meantime. @amber67, @beatricefay, @mnpat @grandmacheryl @popolopo @bobg10, @tallteri, and @sma1952 have all discussed hip replacements

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My hardware was removed. I have no hip joint because it was destroyed by the recalled implant.
I cannot bend my leg, it’s shortened and I cannot sit.
I am awaiting another surgery to rebuild my acetabulum or hip socket in a few months. I’m in pain daily but I am coping in the hopes this next surgery works do I can walk again.

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@ida2

My hardware was removed. I have no hip joint because it was destroyed by the recalled implant.
I cannot bend my leg, it’s shortened and I cannot sit.
I am awaiting another surgery to rebuild my acetabulum or hip socket in a few months. I’m in pain daily but I am coping in the hopes this next surgery works do I can walk again.

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God bless you, praying you get relief.

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@bbeebe1943

God bless you, praying you get relief.

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Thank you so much.

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@ida2

My hardware was removed. I have no hip joint because it was destroyed by the recalled implant.
I cannot bend my leg, it’s shortened and I cannot sit.
I am awaiting another surgery to rebuild my acetabulum or hip socket in a few months. I’m in pain daily but I am coping in the hopes this next surgery works do I can walk again.

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I’m willing to help others because my unique situation I have not found anywhere.
The surgeons I’m told are discussing my case.
In the meantime I’m trying to figure out keep myself stimulated, spirits up, and continuing to be that helping human I was before in a supine position. Not being a tv person isn’t on my list of to do’s. 😊

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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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Hi...I just found this website today. I am a Girdlestone with no left hip as of last February due to osteomyelitis. They also had to remove part of my Quadricep muscle and IT Band. I am able to walk with crutches now and take a few steps on my own, but not a pretty site. I am hoping to eventually walk steadily with a single cane. That's my goal. My husband has glued old shoe soles to my left shoes to help with leg length issues, which does help even me out. Eventually I hope to get some profssionally made, but I know they are very expensive. We live in Michigan. Good luck to your father.....Cindy

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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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Hello...I have just joined this group. I lost my left hip last Feb due to osteomyelitis along with part of my Quadricep muscle and IT Band. I am finally able to get around with crutches and continue to exercise daily to build strength. I realize your post is from 2017, but if you are still in this group, I would love to hear how you are doing? Thank you....Cindy

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