What to do after multiple surgeries from hip replacement?

What an awful series of events you are dealing with. Nobody expects these complications. If you have an infection in the surgery site, it will take at least 6 weeks before they can tell about the antibiotics working.
Do you know what infection you have, and what meds you are on?
Are you doing sitting and lying down exercises to stay strong and keep from getting blood clots and pneumonia?
Sue

I had a total right hip replacement 20 months ago. Had 4 surgeries and 3 infecctions. I was on 2 IV antibiotics a day for 5 months and then pills for another 4 months. I was nauseated all the time and lost 52 pounds. After 9 months with Infectious Disease the infections had cleared up. I have a hip spacer not a true hip. After 20 months I still need canes to walk. I am very frustrated. The Dr. says I am doing well but I am going to seek a second opinion.

I am sooo sorry to hear about your complications
My hip was uneventful. My very good friend is currently searching for a hip surgeon.
My prayers are with you

So sorry. Sounds unacceptable to me...so much pain for sooo long .

You've been through a lot - and you will get through this. Like you I had consecqutive infections, multiple rounds of home IV antibiotics, spacers, etc - for me this went on for 7 years - 13 hip surgeries later I am infection free, antibiotic free and enjoying life. Unfortunately due to deformed bones to start with and partially my choice, they could not put another hip replacement in on my left side so I had a Girdlestone procedure where they take out everything and I have no left hip joint at all - yes I do have to use a walker to walk - some do not - but I am live, well and able to do most of what I could do before. Msg me if you would like more details. Paula

Hip2022, I feel your pain. I'm about to turn 60, and took an early retirement because multiple surgeries have taken me out of work for too long.

Back in April I had my second hip replacement removed due to infection and am now with an antibiotic spacer for the second time. I have a THR in my left hip which has been fine since 2004. My surgeries did not have the same effects you're feeling now, so maybe a second opinion is in order. I was very leery of having ANOTHER hip replacement and infection eradication so I got a second opinion from a surgeon who spent hours with my medical history. It was a learning experience for my own history and his diagnoses agreed with what my primary doctor has offered.

I had three months of antibiotic infusion with a PICC line and fortunately I did not suffer major side effects. The problem is with pain caused by the hip spacer. I am still not allowed any weight at all on the affected leg, so I need help getting in and out of bed. I took the maximum prescription for pain meds for at least 8 weeks before I tapered off, and even then at times I was in excruciating pain just lying still, unable to find a 'sweet spot'. Physical and occupational therapy felt like torture sessions, but my therapists were awesome and motivated me through the pain the best they could.

Four months later and I will be visiting my surgeon next week for following steps. I'm hoping that my infection has been eradicated and the doctor will move forward with another hip replacement. He has however set me up for not being medically ready for another hip replacement, which will result in no hip joint at all. I've joined this forum to find out what my future will look like without a hip, which is likely different for everyone. At this point I'm ready for anything in hopes that I will get some relief from the constant pain of the hip spacer.

The good news is that after all this time I haven't take pain meds in months and I am feeling better and a bit more mobile. What helped most is probably to keep moving, even through the pain. The more I move, the easier it gets and the more I feel prepared for my upcoming surgeries. I still have trouble finding a sitting position that's comfortable for more than just a few minutes but moving in place helps, even if I just lift my butt off the chair using my arms.

Do you have an infectious disease working with you to identify and eradicate your infection? My infection seems to be in the forefront of the medical decisions my doctors are making. Hang in there with that temporary hip. This is my second time with one - keep your eyes on the prize. Once it's removed you should feel immediate relief. Good luck.

I am so sorry about your suffering. I had also a very bad experience, but more than 22 years ago: it started with a hip replacement and then all went wrong. I ended up with a total of 5 surgeries in 2 years of which 4 were replacements. I had also an infection, broken bones, and last but not least a pulmonary embolism. At that time I was 60 years old. The last 2 surgeries were done by another surgeon and at least he made it possible for me to walk with one crutch without pain for the last 20 years. It is still working! Of course, due to all the surgeries AND my advanced age, I can not walk long distances. But no pain. I hope you will be all right!

OMG! Have had almost the same. Rt hip done and implant sunk. Revision was better but still Dinka but. The left done and implant rattled inside of femur to the point of expanding femur. No weight on leg until new implant which as to the knee and infused with calcium. Hip bone shaved, IT band and four muscles cut to get implant in. Recovery was/is hell. Then hip displaced for no reason. Told that nothing could be done and might lose the leg. Found braces that help and when pain is bad, I watch a lot of TV. Icky life. Finances so difficult as I can not work but am a retired widowed school teacher and house is attached to barn so do survive, sorta. My situation is due to Ehleurs Danlos Syndrome and few doctor or surgeons are versed in it. My surgeon was amazing but died after the fourth surgery. Have refused further surgeries due to doctors lack of knowledge. Pain doc helps and I piece together the rest. EDS is precedent in women of norther European disent and can wreak havoc as we age. I had two sons and almost died with each. A country doctor diagnosed it but surgery on my son and a geneticist at children’s hospital in DC diagnosed it. I have done my own research since then and recommend the test before you do anything else. Trying to find the testing may be difficult and EDS is used as a catch all instead of saying « I don’t know but I’ll look it up ». Good luck!

Have made it work! At almost 80yo, am still riding some but no showing. No more surgeries! Shoulders are bone on bone but hyaluronex helps.
Good luck! Life is a journey.

Have been through it, but not quite to your extent. The doctor is the key and you MUST have a good one. Don’t give up as you have a chance to get past it. Much depends on the type of organism involved in the infection and the response to the antibiotic(s). Additionally, is your remaining bone sufficient to allow another replacement. The side effects of the drugs can be awful, but hang in and best of luck. You can do it.