Walking without a hip joint

Not experienced with forums like this but have just joined and I would love advice. I'm 62 with MS but also have failed half hip replacement. Osteoporosis and have been told I would dislocate a new hip constantly so might need a Girdlestone. My question is will I be able to continue to live on my own as I am widowed with no family? They are going to have to break my hip to get the original implant out so it's going to be a long recovery but how bad will the pain be in future? Hope somebody responds to this as I am very worried. Not American. Live in Britain.

Sorry. I meant they are going to have to break my femur to get the original implant out. My hip bone is long gone!

I’m a Brit living in Portugal and had two failed hip transplants (both time got infections). Now I have a Girdlestone (or no joint). That was about16 months ago. Had lots of physio and now go to the gym regularly to strengthen. Good news and bad news.
Bad: I cannot walk without a frame or crutches. Can manage with one crutch around the house, but fear of falling. So frame is used mostly.
Good: I have no pain at all, can drive with automatic and fold my frame into passenger seat. I think I could live alone, but would need some - cleaning/washing clothes/limited cooking help. Would be quite difficult. I’m 76 and wife is 73, so I’m very lucky. Sooner or later that will change. I think I’d try and find help for 2 or 3 days a week (2 hours a day maybe), but might not be that easy. My close friends and wife say I could live well with that limited help. They’re probably right. Hope this message helps.

Hello....I live in the USA and had Girdlestone procedure done 3 years ago. I am 73 and use crutches or walker for mobility, although I can take a few steps unassisted. I hang onto countertops in the kitchen to get around to cook and clean up. My husband does the heavy cleaning, but I can clean toilets, sinks, countertops, etc. If you are on Facebook, there is a new support group started a few weeks ago called "Girdlestone Procedure Outcomes". We hope to learn from one another and offer support if you'd like to join. WIshing you the best.

Thank you so much. I’m hanging onto the positives and the thought of not being in any pain is a big positive. You are lucky you are no longer dependent on the NHS as it is really bad here so I doubt I will get much physio and I know I am going to have to save my pennies to get some help, but it’s all doable. Getting older is all about lowering expectations and because of the MS I have a wheelchair and already use a walker. I just need to be able to shower and make my dinner!

This is making me feel a bit more positive. I know I have a long way to go and I’m hoping I can put the procedure off for as long as possible until the pain gets too bad. Something on the Internet scared me last night saying that it is impossible to stand on a Girdleston hip but clearly from the responses I’m getting that isn’t true as I would need to be able to stand in the shower and stand in the kitchen. Thank you so much for your response. I’m not on Facebook but I think I’m going to have to join. I won’t be mobile for two or three months after the operation because of the broken femur, but I am assuming that that will allow some scar tissue to start forming and at least dislocation won’t be an issue anymore. How long was it before you were able to weight bear?

Keep your positive attitude. I had to pay for physio but it’s not expensive in Portugal. If you can afford just one per week for about 5 weeks and do it on your own every day without the physio, then join a gym and use weight machines on your legs after that. Can you drive? I would try and only use the wheelchair when you must. Any walking with a frame will help you get stronger. I go up and down stairs using one crutch and the hand rail, but only after the physio showed me how to do it SAFELY. I meet with friends for a pint now and again, using taxis or driving and only having two small beers! I would encourage you to be as active as possible, though it’s not easy I know. I shower with my frame in the shower to hold on to. I can do limited cooking, but it’s not easy. I’m always afraid of falling - not sure how I would get up😁. I wish you well and good to see your positive approach.

Just one more question and then I will stop bothering you. How long was it before you could put some weight on the Girdlestone leg as hopping with a walker is not a good option for somebody who can’t balance because of MS anyway. I get tired with the MS and have to rely on a wheelchair, but I will try very hard not to use it around the house. I am scared of falling so I would need to be able to put a little bit of weight on the bad leg.

You are not bothering me at all. If I can help, then I’m more than happy to do so. I remember coming out of hospital where I had only managed to get out of bed with the physio helping, then stand on my good leg for a few seconds using a frame for balance. I was terrified. When I got home I managed to get a private physio to come to my house. Thought I’ll never walk with a frame or crutches. But the physio assured me I would. At first he encouraged me to put a fraction of weight on my bad leg whilst standing on my good leg using my frame. Very weird because my bad leg moved up like a piston - scary but not really painful. After more such trials I got less fearful. Also, with exercises, the space near my hip began to fill up (apparently gristle/muscle/?). After about 6 weeks at home I used my frame quite confidently around the house. I started by putting very little weight on my bad leg, but did more and more gradually, but never enough to bring pain. Now, after 16 months, I can put (about) 80% weight on my bad leg. I walk using “weight on my legs” and the frame to just take some of my weight off the left leg. I can walk with one crutch and putting 80% ish weight on the bad leg. But fear of falling disappears with a frame. So, my advice - have SOME physio, do lots of the exercises on your own and just keep going. Progress is slow, but it WILL happen. I first drove my car after 2 months. Now I can go out (shops, etc) and take my frame with me. Biggest problem is carrying stuff. A small basket on the frame is helpful. Please contact me anytime you like.

Wow, I feel like I had some really bad luck after your accounts! I am 18 months or from a girdlestone procedure and can only stand for about a minute. I am in excruciating pain. My infectious disease Dr just ordered a CT scan. I need the full time help if my husband just for daily living. I'm unable to get on a commode and haven't been able to shower or drive this entire time. We had to purchase a van modified to carry the wheelchair that I am now in full time. I know that others have not had the extremely successful outcomes that were shared here. I think outcomes are individual unlike in the case of hip replacements.