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I am 70 years old and lost my left hip joint in Feb 2022 due to osteomyelitis. Surgeons also had to remove my Vastus Lateralis Muscle (Part of Quadricep) and my Illiotibial Band due to the infection. I use a walker and sometimes crutches for mobility and hoping to walk with 1 cane someday or nothing at all. I realize I am just 1 year post op, but very interested in how others are doing with a similar situation. I am on life long antibiotics for infection and advised never to try for another implant. Risk is too great as they almost had to amputate my leg last year. I live in Michigan....Cindy
Replies to "I am 70 years old and lost my left hip joint in Feb 2022 due to..."
Hi Cindy. I’ve never posted on here, but today I found out my left hip has an staph infection in the replacement that was done 12 years ago. I’m now scheduled for part one of a two stage revision this Wednesday. Because my right hip has the same symptoms, the surgeon will be doing a hip aspiration on it, too. I’m wondering if anyone has had both hips infected at the same time. Could I end up with antibiotic spacers in both sockets until the infection is under control? I’m supposed to have an antibiotic IV 24/7 for several weeks. How could I get a staph infection so many years after having surgery?
Catherine
Hi Lori,
I am so happy to have a place to ask questions! I had no idea I’d have helpful responses so quickly. I’ll definitely get the good yogurt and flax seed. Do probiotics help, too?
My dentist told me I didn’t need antibiotics before teeth cleaning and work after 5 years of having the hips put in so I assumed he was correct. I will ask for antibiotics before every visit for the rest of my life now! I floss a lot because I’ve had enough cavities for a family of 4 at this point.
I have the 1st stage of the revision on Wednesday so I’m guessing antibiotics start then. I was pretty shocked because my new surgeon actually called me and explained the basics of the surgery. He was alarmed that the hip aspiration resulted in a big staph culture after only 5 days. He said we didn’t have time to wait. I’m just relieved to find a definitive answer after being in pain for over a year. I feel like I’ve been living from one doctor appointment to another for months on end.
Hello @cmarsh and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Sorry to learn you've lost your hip. I am glad you've joined to connect with others on their experience for support.
You will see I moved your post into an existing discussion which you can find here:
- Living without a hip: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/living-without-a-hip/
I am glad to see @ida2 @babypanda @johnbishop and @loribmt have all joined you already!
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I had a MoM recall that is destroyed my hip socket.
They removed the hardware which has left me unable to walk or work. I am 71 years old.
I’m due for another surgery to install hardware and rebuild my hip socket. I am terrified.