I would like more information on this as well. In 2015 I had my right leg rod replaced as the original rod became loose after a bad fall. For three years Dr Whelan, with Optim Orthopedics treated me for reoccurring infection at the same location in my incision. Twice with “cut out the infection area surgeries) then various antibiotics. Calling to make yet another appointment for another infection we were told he had retired & we’re hung up on. We had repeatedly asked should we see a different kind of doctor or wound specialists throughout those three years, and were assured, “ no, not necessary, we’re handling this”
I finally agreed with my wife to see a wound specialists. Dr Spence ran several tests, MRI’s and X-rays and told us we had to see an orthopedic surgeon ASAP.
Dr Arrington scheduled a clean out surgery, packed the wound with antibiotic beads & had expensive in home IV infusion for 8 weeks (something I’d never had before) infectious disease doctor told us her medical expertise was usually called in with the first infection, always with a second infection… she had never been called in 3 years into a reoccurring infection. Dr Chirca added 2 more weeks of IV antibiotic infusion. I was then placed on oral antibiotics & told I’d probably be on them for the rest of my life. January of 2020 the infection came back with a vengeance. Dr Arrington scheduled another clean out surgery for the full length of the rod replacement. After 12 weeks of another round of IV antibiotics… the wound was still draining. Dr Arrington wanted to perform a revision, with the hope we could clear out the infection and put in another hip joint. An antibiotic spacer was put in, but there was no joint left in to help keep it in place.
2 1/2 weeks later my right femur broke, as the walls were too thin. Dr Arrington had to go into to put in a plate and screws. Infection & a fungus set in. 3 or 4 major clean out surgeries took place from mid Sept to December 2020 the spacer was taken out with the fracture was “repaired” I stayed on IV infusion from August 2020 until February 2021. Infectious Disease wanted me off antibiotics to see if the infection was gone so a replacement could be done. Surgery was scheduled for April 2021. Before going in Dr Arrington informed us the femur had not healed & he may not be able to put in a replacement. I asked if something could be put in to stabilize the bone so it could heal. I put in a rod/pin encased in concrete into the femur. Went home again with IV Infusion antibiotics & a wound vac. The incision would not close. We were back with Dr Spence the wound doctor. The wound vac stayed on for several months, with wound care cleaning & resealing it every 3 days… until insurance would no longer pay for it. Then 3 times a week I had my wound cleaned & repacked. I have pictures where you could literally see my femur thru the opening. A plastic surgeon was finally ably to clean out massive scar tissue & infection surrounding the 3 inch stabilizing rod extended out of the top of my femur. I can very painfully use a walker some of the time. My right leg is 4 to 6 inches shorter than my left. The rod you can see and feel at the top of my right hip, where it looks and feels like it’s about to come through at any moment. Dr Shelley, an Orthopedic Surgeon Specialists with Optim explained my femur is so damaged from the chronic infection it will never heal. He sent us to Emory to see if they could build me a femur & put in a new joint. Dr O, said yes… they could try, with 2 to 5 more surgeries… it Might work. But the femur is made out of metal, so the infection could come back. I’m now 75… in perfect health, with the exception of my hip miseries brought on my a surgeon I 100% believed in, and 1000% failed me., Dr Whelan.
All I wanted to do was walk again.
Is there anyone walking without a hip joint, without severe pain?