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Pain and healing time after removal of femur in hip

Posted by patenelson @patenelson, Aug 2, 2022

I had hip replacement surgery in November of 2021. Was doing great until an infection was found in Feb of 2022. It's called a micro bacterium infectious and after talking with 4 Drs, they tell me this is rare for a hip and very hard to kill. I had to have the area debrided and a spacer put in, spent 3 weeks in the hospital just trying to recover so I could come home. They have now found 2 pockets of the infection and was told I have a 1 percent chance of getting rid of the infection. So am having all hardware removed next week. I have been on numerous very strong antibiotics which leave me sick, along with horrible pain. And will be in antibiotics for months to come.
My question is how long does it take for the hip to heal after removal and are you still in pain after it heals?
I'm also wondering if it is possible down the road to try replacement surgery again.
I just want to be able to kayak, enjoy my yardwork and my grandkids again. Depression has set in as I'm not good at sitting around .
Thank you for any advice.

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Aug 2, 2022

Uncertainty is so hard - especially when going into the "unknown" like this.
I am a 5 time hip replacement - but fortunately never had a bad infection, nor faced removal. There is no doubt that living without the hardware will be difficult. I have however had Mycobacterium Intracellulare (aka MAC) in my lungs, and it is difficult to treat. The drugs are awful, but if they remove your hardware, will they be able to place an in vitro antibiotic pump? Have you been seen also by an infectious disease specialist?

As for recovery, I do not know the path - it varies based on how far infection has invaded. Some surgeons use spacers during recovery - do you know if this is the plan? These allow some limited mobility -typically with a walker - for previously active people.

I wish you well as you go forward - there are a number of people on this forum living without a hip joint - you can find them here:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/if-youre-living-without-a-hip-like-me-please-reach-out-to-me/
Please come back to the group with any questions you may have.
Sue

REPLY
1 reply
patenelson | @patenelson | Aug 4, 2022
In reply to @sueinmn "Uncertainty is so hard - especially when going into the "unknown" like this. I am a..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Uncertainty is so hard - especially when going into the "unknown" like this.
I am a 5 time hip replacement - but fortunately never had a bad infection, nor faced removal. There is no doubt that living without the hardware will be difficult. I have however had Mycobacterium Intracellulare (aka MAC) in my lungs, and it is difficult to treat. The drugs are awful, but if they remove your hardware, will they be able to place an in vitro antibiotic pump? Have you been seen also by an infectious disease specialist?

As for recovery, I do not know the path - it varies based on how far infection has invaded. Some surgeons use spacers during recovery - do you know if this is the plan? These allow some limited mobility -typically with a walker - for previously active people.

I wish you well as you go forward - there are a number of people on this forum living without a hip joint - you can find them here:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/if-youre-living-without-a-hip-like-me-please-reach-out-to-me/
Please come back to the group with any questions you may have.
Sue

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Thanks for the response.
I have the antibiotic spacer in now but cultures show the bacteria isn't responding to it. It is starting to make pockets again. I have 2 infectious Drs. One is from medical university of SC. They are working very hard at finding antibiotics that will fight this stuff. Hence, reason for removing all hardware.

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