Septic arthritis and two stage revision surgery

Posted by janelaine @janelaine, Oct 7, 2017

I am scheduled for surgery in November because of a fungal infection in my right hip. The infected prosthesis will be removed and spacers treated with antibiotics and anti-fungal medicine will be inserted. Following that there will be a minimum of six weeks before a test is done to see if the infection has cleared up. I am told fungal infections are very difficult to get rid of. It's likely that I will not be able to put any weight on that right leg I've already been through three months of limited moblity and pain. I'd like to hear from anyone who has been through this procedure. Right now I have many more questions than answers.

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Hi, @janelaine, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. So sorry to hear about the pain and limited mobility you've experienced, along with the fungal infection in your hip prosthesis.

Some other members of this community who have hip experience may have some thoughts for you on your infection and upcoming surgery. Please meet @bblinder, @jo54, @predictable, @lane, @popolopo, @mnpat, @sma1952, and @hosta.

@janelaine, you mentioned right now you have more questions than answers. What other questions are you having presently?

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@lisalucier

Hi, @janelaine, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. So sorry to hear about the pain and limited mobility you've experienced, along with the fungal infection in your hip prosthesis.

Some other members of this community who have hip experience may have some thoughts for you on your infection and upcoming surgery. Please meet @bblinder, @jo54, @predictable, @lane, @popolopo, @mnpat, @sma1952, and @hosta.

@janelaine, you mentioned right now you have more questions than answers. What other questions are you having presently?

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Hi, my doc has encouraged me to do hip,leg exercises but they do not really help my hip pain. He would like to do a bone scan. I do not know anyone that has had one so if anyone know about this I would like to hear from you. A happy Canadian Thanksgiving to all.

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Hello @poplopo, I had a bone density scan done at the Rochester Mayo Clinic several months ago and it's a painless process for the patient. I just had to lay flat on a table and the scanner gizmo did it's thing. I even had a nice conversation with the lady running the test. It was much less of an ordeal than the MRIs that I had last year which were loud on the ears.

John

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@lisalucier

Hi, @janelaine, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. So sorry to hear about the pain and limited mobility you've experienced, along with the fungal infection in your hip prosthesis.

Some other members of this community who have hip experience may have some thoughts for you on your infection and upcoming surgery. Please meet @bblinder, @jo54, @predictable, @lane, @popolopo, @mnpat, @sma1952, and @hosta.

@janelaine, you mentioned right now you have more questions than answers. What other questions are you having presently?

Jump to this post

@popolopo I have had one. Nearly pain free, quite informative. No problem.

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Hi @poplopo. Years prior to my cancer diagnosis I had three bone density scans. The 1st 2 were over in a few minutes. The 3rd one involved measuring my wrists also. That took a bit longer & was a bit uncomfortable. It's only done if they need to see more. It didn't hurt. None required the big machines of CT or MRI's so no issues of small, tight, confined spaces! All my scans resulted in a bone density scale of 'high normal'. Which I find strange & still can't find a doctor who can answer my question as to "How can that be when you say I have bone cancer in 60+% of my body & my bones are like Swiss Cheese?" I find all my problems highly ridiculous!! I mention this to you because you may have to ask more questions no matter what the results are. I find one of the best questions to ask is, "Doctor, what questions do you think I should be asking?" Always take paper & a pen, or ask if you can record their answers if that's easier for you. It's best to have a friend/advocate with you. You might want to bring your own bottled water for your hospital stay.

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Janelaine tell us more about your situation . I fell and fractured my hip last aug. 2016.I am having trouble as far a screw that was put through a rod near my pelvis.I think it was too long and now bone is growing on it. The ortho said surgery would be risky due to age 82 and a fib and copd.I just would like to know if anyone else has experieced this.

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