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?
Hello...Terry who is also on this forum has given you some great advice and I agree with all of it. I was in the hospital for 3 weeks after my surgery to get the infection under control and I started putting weight on my leg in the hospital while using a walker or frame. It was only toe touch on the affected leg for the first 6 weeks, then gradually add more weight to it as tolerated. I don't stand up in the shower, I use a shower chair and sit. I have a shower hose/sprayer to use while sitting and that works well for me. I can now stand in the kitchen for about an hour at a time preparing a meal, baking, cleaning up, etc. The first year or so, I had the wheel chair in kitchen and had to take breaks every now and then while cooking, but it just got easier and easier with time. After 3 years, I'm still discovering things I can do now that I couldn't 6 months ago. I can drive, ride my exercise bike, go camping and boating. I use crutches most of the time for outside activities and a fram or walker inside the house as it's easier to carry things that way. Like Terry said, you have to keep up with exercises daily for strengthening and gradually use the wheelchair less and less. It does sound like 'physical therapy' is not the same for you as it was for me in the USA. I had home therapy for 8 weeks and then went to therapy place, but my Medical Insurance covered most of that. I am happy to try to answer any questions or help you if I can. I don't get to the Mayo Clinic site every day as I do Facebook. Wishing you all the best.....Cindy
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.
Hello Janeen....I am so sorry to hear you have not been as successful with the Girdlestone as others. I am 72 now and when mine was done 3 years ago I was in great physical condition, leading a very active lifestyle, exercising and walking 3-5 miles daily. I'm sure that helped me to get to where I am now along with my determination not to give up. I am on lifetime antibiotics for my infection also. I'm glad you are getting some further testing to see if there is something to be done for your pain and mobility and wishing you all the best.......Cindy
I really, really hope both Janeen and dilys have some success coming their way. There must be all kinds of reasons why recovery is different for everyone. I have been lucky and I count my blessings every day. Cindy’s comments were the first to inspire me when I’d just had the replacement hip removed in November 2023. She was confirming what my doctor and physio had been saying, and she was a real person with the same problem. To be honest, the doctor’s and the physio’s comments seemed very “theoretical” and hard to believe when I first edged out of bed and stood for about 2 seconds with a frame and zero weight on the bad leg! As I mentioned in an earlier post, I was terrified and couldn’t imagine walking with frame/crutches, showering, driving, etc. Looking back, it was just “one step at a time”. I couldn’t have done it without hiring a physiotherapist. The exercises she introduced were very simple and I could repeat them on my own on days when she didn’t visit, BUT it was also the confidence she gave me because of her expertise and understanding, knowing that she knew exactly how to proceed. For example, I was in an upstairs bedroom and couldn’t imagine going downstairs - ever. But, step by step, she taught me the technique using one crutch and the stair rail. It took several weeks before I could go on my own. Now I don’t even think about it. Cindy, by the way, is much more adventurous than me and I’m a bit lazy, but she gives me glimpses of what I may yet achieve. Dilys, I’ve been thinking about you and physiotherapy. I know it’s very expensive in England, but I’d definitely beg, steal or borrow to have just one session a week for a few weeks. I really could not have made much progress without. Janeen, I sincerely hope they can get to the cause of your pain and I hope you start to have some success with your recovery.
I really, really hope both Janeen and dilys have some success coming their way. There must be all kinds of reasons why recovery is different for everyone. I have been lucky and I count my blessings every day. Cindy’s comments were the first to inspire me when I’d just had the replacement hip removed in November 2023. She was confirming what my doctor and physio had been saying, and she was a real person with the same problem. To be honest, the doctor’s and the physio’s comments seemed very “theoretical” and hard to believe when I first edged out of bed and stood for about 2 seconds with a frame and zero weight on the bad leg! As I mentioned in an earlier post, I was terrified and couldn’t imagine walking with frame/crutches, showering, driving, etc. Looking back, it was just “one step at a time”. I couldn’t have done it without hiring a physiotherapist. The exercises she introduced were very simple and I could repeat them on my own on days when she didn’t visit, BUT it was also the confidence she gave me because of her expertise and understanding, knowing that she knew exactly how to proceed. For example, I was in an upstairs bedroom and couldn’t imagine going downstairs - ever. But, step by step, she taught me the technique using one crutch and the stair rail. It took several weeks before I could go on my own. Now I don’t even think about it. Cindy, by the way, is much more adventurous than me and I’m a bit lazy, but she gives me glimpses of what I may yet achieve. Dilys, I’ve been thinking about you and physiotherapy. I know it’s very expensive in England, but I’d definitely beg, steal or borrow to have just one session a week for a few weeks. I really could not have made much progress without. Janeen, I sincerely hope they can get to the cause of your pain and I hope you start to have some success with your recovery.
Terry....it's nice to know my comments helped you in 2023 to keep your spirits up and keep working at getting better. I'm a retired nurse and thoroughly enjoyed my nursing career and helping others. I know some day when/if I get into my 80's and 90's, things will be much different for me and I'll probably end up in a wheelchair most of the time, but i'm certainly not ready to yet...haha. I have had 2 falls in the home in the past 3 years. One was when I was going to open a window and my 4 wheel walker got away from me and I went down on my opposite side. The other was when I went to sit on edge of the bed and I missed it and went down on my surgical side. That one really hurt and my husband brought me ice packs right away for the area and got me on the bed. After about 30 mins of ice, I thought, here's the test to see if I can put any weight on that leg. I could put weight and it was my normal walk with walker....so we headed out to go camping and I was fine! We were suppose to leave that day anyway. So, I'm saying if you do have a fall, things may be just fine. I did have a big bruise with tenderness. I was actually relieved in a way to have that fall and know nothing broke and I could go on with my life that very same day. I'm not saying that it will always be that way for everyone or myself either. I have practiced a couple times getting up off the floor. I'll slide myself off from sofa, crawl a few feet away, then I have to crawl back to hang on to sofa to get back up. I'm wishing you continued wellness on your journey as a Girdlestone patient! ........Cindy
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.
I am 81, had girdlestone surgery about 2 years ago, I live alone, work with a great physical therapist twice a week, I don't experience much pain. I use a wheelchair in my apartment and a walker when I go out. I can climb stairs using a cane. My one leg is 1 1/2" shorter than the other so I wear a shoe with a custom lift attached. I will always have limitations but I feel fortunate to have survived and I wish you the best of luck!
How long is recovery time please, and is there much pain involved? I have a best interests meeting regarding this operation for my daughter, who has learning disabilities and uses a wheelchair. It's so hard to decide if this is the right course of action. TIA for any advice.
How long is recovery time please, and is there much pain involved? I have a best interests meeting regarding this operation for my daughter, who has learning disabilities and uses a wheelchair. It's so hard to decide if this is the right course of action. TIA for any advice.
I did not have much pain. It's important to get a 2nd opinion. A few doctors that I talked to never even heard of Girdlestone!
In my case I was told that it was the only way to eliminate my Sepsis infection. Recovery is very difficult but not painful.
Wishing you well!
Janeen
My husband had a Girdlestone in September of 2022 in Lansing, MI. It was the 6th surgery on that hip in 6 months. He never was able to get the pain under control. In December of 2022 we made our first visit to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Our first visit the orthopedist said he would do nothing but moniter for one year after the Girdlestone. My husband did PT to try and keep that leg strong while he gradually was weaned off antibiotics in March of 2023 (He had been on antibiotics either IV or oral since Feb 2022. Finally in Sept 2023 he was told that if he could make it one year off antibiotics, a new hip could be possible (Lansing doctors said too risky to ever have a new hip). After much consideration of the risks, he had an antibiotic spacer placed in March 2024. The infectious disease doctor signed off at the 6-week post-surgery checkup. Yesterday he had the spacer removed and a permanent hip. Infectious disease doctor was consulted before surgery and his recommendation is 2 weeks of oral antibiotics for this surgery.
I know some can never come off the antibiotics. Bill has felt so much better. After one year of fighting two different types of infections, he is greatly improved. His ID dr in Lansing wanted him forever on antibiotics but after nearly two years off of them. The drs here in Rochester are confident that this surgery will be a success. Do not hesitate to get a second opinion. Sometimes your hometown doctor does not have all the answers.
I did not have much pain. It's important to get a 2nd opinion. A few doctors that I talked to never even heard of Girdlestone!
In my case I was told that it was the only way to eliminate my Sepsis infection. Recovery is very difficult but not painful.
Wishing you well!
I did not have much pain. It's important to get a 2nd opinion. A few doctors that I talked to never even heard of Girdlestone!
In my case I was told that it was the only way to eliminate my Sepsis infection. Recovery is very difficult but not painful.
Wishing you well!
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Hello...Terry who is also on this forum has given you some great advice and I agree with all of it. I was in the hospital for 3 weeks after my surgery to get the infection under control and I started putting weight on my leg in the hospital while using a walker or frame. It was only toe touch on the affected leg for the first 6 weeks, then gradually add more weight to it as tolerated. I don't stand up in the shower, I use a shower chair and sit. I have a shower hose/sprayer to use while sitting and that works well for me. I can now stand in the kitchen for about an hour at a time preparing a meal, baking, cleaning up, etc. The first year or so, I had the wheel chair in kitchen and had to take breaks every now and then while cooking, but it just got easier and easier with time. After 3 years, I'm still discovering things I can do now that I couldn't 6 months ago. I can drive, ride my exercise bike, go camping and boating. I use crutches most of the time for outside activities and a fram or walker inside the house as it's easier to carry things that way. Like Terry said, you have to keep up with exercises daily for strengthening and gradually use the wheelchair less and less. It does sound like 'physical therapy' is not the same for you as it was for me in the USA. I had home therapy for 8 weeks and then went to therapy place, but my Medical Insurance covered most of that. I am happy to try to answer any questions or help you if I can. I don't get to the Mayo Clinic site every day as I do Facebook. Wishing you all the best.....Cindy
Hello Janeen....I am so sorry to hear you have not been as successful with the Girdlestone as others. I am 72 now and when mine was done 3 years ago I was in great physical condition, leading a very active lifestyle, exercising and walking 3-5 miles daily. I'm sure that helped me to get to where I am now along with my determination not to give up. I am on lifetime antibiotics for my infection also. I'm glad you are getting some further testing to see if there is something to be done for your pain and mobility and wishing you all the best.......Cindy
I really, really hope both Janeen and dilys have some success coming their way. There must be all kinds of reasons why recovery is different for everyone. I have been lucky and I count my blessings every day. Cindy’s comments were the first to inspire me when I’d just had the replacement hip removed in November 2023. She was confirming what my doctor and physio had been saying, and she was a real person with the same problem. To be honest, the doctor’s and the physio’s comments seemed very “theoretical” and hard to believe when I first edged out of bed and stood for about 2 seconds with a frame and zero weight on the bad leg! As I mentioned in an earlier post, I was terrified and couldn’t imagine walking with frame/crutches, showering, driving, etc. Looking back, it was just “one step at a time”. I couldn’t have done it without hiring a physiotherapist. The exercises she introduced were very simple and I could repeat them on my own on days when she didn’t visit, BUT it was also the confidence she gave me because of her expertise and understanding, knowing that she knew exactly how to proceed. For example, I was in an upstairs bedroom and couldn’t imagine going downstairs - ever. But, step by step, she taught me the technique using one crutch and the stair rail. It took several weeks before I could go on my own. Now I don’t even think about it. Cindy, by the way, is much more adventurous than me and I’m a bit lazy, but she gives me glimpses of what I may yet achieve. Dilys, I’ve been thinking about you and physiotherapy. I know it’s very expensive in England, but I’d definitely beg, steal or borrow to have just one session a week for a few weeks. I really could not have made much progress without. Janeen, I sincerely hope they can get to the cause of your pain and I hope you start to have some success with your recovery.
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2 ReactionsTerry....it's nice to know my comments helped you in 2023 to keep your spirits up and keep working at getting better. I'm a retired nurse and thoroughly enjoyed my nursing career and helping others. I know some day when/if I get into my 80's and 90's, things will be much different for me and I'll probably end up in a wheelchair most of the time, but i'm certainly not ready to yet...haha. I have had 2 falls in the home in the past 3 years. One was when I was going to open a window and my 4 wheel walker got away from me and I went down on my opposite side. The other was when I went to sit on edge of the bed and I missed it and went down on my surgical side. That one really hurt and my husband brought me ice packs right away for the area and got me on the bed. After about 30 mins of ice, I thought, here's the test to see if I can put any weight on that leg. I could put weight and it was my normal walk with walker....so we headed out to go camping and I was fine! We were suppose to leave that day anyway. So, I'm saying if you do have a fall, things may be just fine. I did have a big bruise with tenderness. I was actually relieved in a way to have that fall and know nothing broke and I could go on with my life that very same day. I'm not saying that it will always be that way for everyone or myself either. I have practiced a couple times getting up off the floor. I'll slide myself off from sofa, crawl a few feet away, then I have to crawl back to hang on to sofa to get back up. I'm wishing you continued wellness on your journey as a Girdlestone patient! ........Cindy
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2 ReactionsI am 81, had girdlestone surgery about 2 years ago, I live alone, work with a great physical therapist twice a week, I don't experience much pain. I use a wheelchair in my apartment and a walker when I go out. I can climb stairs using a cane. My one leg is 1 1/2" shorter than the other so I wear a shoe with a custom lift attached. I will always have limitations but I feel fortunate to have survived and I wish you the best of luck!
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2 ReactionsHow long is recovery time please, and is there much pain involved? I have a best interests meeting regarding this operation for my daughter, who has learning disabilities and uses a wheelchair. It's so hard to decide if this is the right course of action. TIA for any advice.
I did not have much pain. It's important to get a 2nd opinion. A few doctors that I talked to never even heard of Girdlestone!
In my case I was told that it was the only way to eliminate my Sepsis infection. Recovery is very difficult but not painful.
Wishing you well!
Janeen
My husband had a Girdlestone in September of 2022 in Lansing, MI. It was the 6th surgery on that hip in 6 months. He never was able to get the pain under control. In December of 2022 we made our first visit to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Our first visit the orthopedist said he would do nothing but moniter for one year after the Girdlestone. My husband did PT to try and keep that leg strong while he gradually was weaned off antibiotics in March of 2023 (He had been on antibiotics either IV or oral since Feb 2022. Finally in Sept 2023 he was told that if he could make it one year off antibiotics, a new hip could be possible (Lansing doctors said too risky to ever have a new hip). After much consideration of the risks, he had an antibiotic spacer placed in March 2024. The infectious disease doctor signed off at the 6-week post-surgery checkup. Yesterday he had the spacer removed and a permanent hip. Infectious disease doctor was consulted before surgery and his recommendation is 2 weeks of oral antibiotics for this surgery.
I know some can never come off the antibiotics. Bill has felt so much better. After one year of fighting two different types of infections, he is greatly improved. His ID dr in Lansing wanted him forever on antibiotics but after nearly two years off of them. The drs here in Rochester are confident that this surgery will be a success. Do not hesitate to get a second opinion. Sometimes your hometown doctor does not have all the answers.
Hang in there,
Lori
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1 ReactionThat fits exactly with my experience Conway.
Sorry I wrote Conway instead of Conroy in my first reply.