2 stage hip revision due to infection

Hi Mary

I'm now 12 weeks after stage 2. And I am feeling great. I can nearly walk without a stick but I've been walking the dog, mowing the lawn and riding my bike so nearly back to normal.

I was 5 months with a spacer and it was not as bad as I had feared. It was quite sore in the beginning and the leg was very stiff but it gradually got better and I could get about ok with crutches. I even drove a bit though probably shouldn't have. It was a relief to have stage 2! NO PAIN! So now I just need to keep working on getting full movement back and building up the muscles.

I've told my surgeon that my goal is to cycle 70 miles on my 7th birthday next May.

I hope your surgery goes as well and that you get to the light at the end of the tunnel.

Mike

Hi Mike.

Thank you for your words of wisdom, very encouaging. Im so glad to hear your doing well...

Did you loose muscle mass in your calf while you had the spacer? We're you using a cane or walker prior to surgery. I've had to use a rollator walker or cane for 2 years, my 1st goal is to be able to walk without a walker. The ball is loose in the socket so it makes my hip unstable. I don't know anyone who's had this procedure, so I appreciate your input.

Thanks, Mary

Hi Mary

Yes I think I lost muscle mass in my leg while I had the spacer but I also lost mobility so I had difficulty straightening my knee 100% and moving my leg back at all. I went to a physio a few times when I realised that I had lost mobility but it's really only since I've had the proper joint that I'm getting the mobility back. The knee is pretty good and the back movement is coming slowly.

But I only had the 5 months of low mobility so you may take a bit longer than me to get the muscles and thingsback to normal. But I'm sure you will make progress even if it is sometimes two steps forward and one back or even one step forward and two back!

Good luck with the op. I hope it isn't too sore afterrwards but be patient it will get better!!

Mike

Thanks Mike,

I got a call today. My surgery has been moved to this Friday.

Hi Donnamarie

I had a two stage last year. The first stage in March. I was more mobile with the spacer than I had expected. I could put some weight on the leg so was partial weight bearing on crutches. It was quite sore at the beginning. Getting in and out of bed was the wiorst. I had a leg lifter which helped and my physio told me to take a deep breath and then exhale as I did the painful movement which helped too.

It did improve over the time I had the spacer, but it was a bit sore most of that time. (and my hip made a horrid grating sound when I moved it)

Once I got the new hip (5 months later) the pain more or less went. Recovery has been slower than I had hoped but now, 8 months on, I can do most things. I walked the dog this morning and am playing golf this afternoon.

The hip doesn't hurt but I struggle a bit up hills and although it's getting better I have difficulty standing on one leg. (I'm told your body forgets how to do this) But I walk without a stick, I can (just) get my sock on and cut my toenails.

I hope your surgery goes ok and you have a good outcome too.

Mike

 

Thanks so much for taking time to reply. I'm not looking forward to it. I'm in no pain and my present thr has full mobility. So improvement isn't really an option. Are you in UK? I'm pretty concerned about losing functionality and movement range. Thinking about second opinion tbh. I'm at ring stanmore. Can't fault them in any way.. . But I'm not keen on this procedure from what I'm reading.

Hi Donnamarie, The spacer and post-op mobility were not nearly as bad as I thought it would be.

I had stage 1 procedure in October ,17 I was on toe touch weight bearing bearing for 4 weeks, then 50%for 4 weeks. After 2 months WB as tolerated. I was able to walk with a cane for about 100 yards and drive in the local area. My original socket was slipping out of position, so a lot of pain was relieved with the spacer.

I had stage 2 procedure 2.5 weeks ago. No pain except surgical tenderness at the incision site. I am still using the walker at this point.

I hope this info at ion is helpful.

Best Wishes,

Mary

Hi Donnamarie

Yes I am in the UK. I am lucky to live in Bucklebury (a sleepy village that seems to be quite well known these days) but it is also not far from the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Oxford and they have a specialised bone infection unit so that was where I had my 2 stage,

Mt hip was quite bad before I had stage 1. I think it had been infected for 2 years and after they took a sample it was leaking for 4 months until I had the op. Managing the dressings was quite a performance so I was pleased to start the treatment though like you I was apprehensive.

I don't think I have lost movement range with this. I haven't got back to my previous level of activity but I am getting there.

As I understand it, if you don't get rid of (or at least control) the infection the consequences can be quite serious. I think there is an option to go on permanent antibiotics but my doctors didn't recommend it.

I have heard good things about the hospital in Stanmore, so you are in good hands.

Mike

Michael, I am so happy that you have made it thru to the other side of fighting hip infection. It takes strength of character to face the challenges that you have been faced with to maintain better mobility and health.

so happy your back playing golf and you have been so helpful to encourage others who have to travel,thru the healing journey that you bravely have shared with many .

Congratulations 🎉🎈 you deserve to enjoy life and all the blessings along the way! 

 

Hi Donnamarie

Leaking pus for 2 years! That must have been really bad. I had some pretty good horror stories and mine was only going for 4 months. Trying to change a dressing in a loo where there is no mirror and the light is so dim ... At least in 3 weeks you can say goodbye to that.

As for the leg length. I don't think they do it by measuring the leg. If you look at videos of hip ops they measure the bit they cut out. So I imagine they must do something similiar for stage 1 and 2

Hope it all goes well

Mike

Just came off the anti b in preparation for 1st stage and spacer on 23rd April. Pus has gone green! But no other symptoms really. Slight reddening at wound site. No temp .

I'd love to know how I got an infection. Original thr has been in trouble free for over 30 yrs. No other surgeries.

I'll update when I'm at hospital. Its lovely reading other people's experiences. Will I have a body brace? I saw a lady with one last time I went for biopsy. Didn't look much fun! I also live on an island plus 3 hour drive from hospital. So am I likely to be in there a while?

Surgeon is on leave so I can't bombard him with questions. He seems a master of vague when I do question him.

I'm planning on watching a few videos on YouTube of the op! 😀

Debridement is a worry. Is that done when spacer goes in?

I'd never heard of two stage so steep learning curve. Sorry for all the questions!

Donna

Donna

Debridement is when they remove the bit of the femur that has become soft because of the infection. My surgeon took a bit of mine away but not as much as he thought he would have to. So my new joint has a longer stem than the old one. If necessary they can put a stem in that goes almost all the way to the knee but they usually only do that in bone cancer patients.

When I last went through airport security the chap with the hand held detector was surprised how far down my one went! But it doesn't seem to matter as far as mobility etc is concerned.

I didn't have a body brace.

I imagine the source of the infection will remain a mystery. We are exposed to so many bacteria every day and generally our bodies deal with them but if the infection manages to get between the bone and the metal there is very little blood circulation so our natural defenses don't work.

In 4 weeks you will be an expert on the subject!!

Mike

Thankyou Michael!

Counting down the days. Wishing I'd got fitter whilst waiting.. I'm sure thinner thighs would be easier to cut up.

How long were you in hospital for? The one stage revision I was booked for 7 days.. is it similar? My admission letter doesn't say this time.

Hi Donnamarie,After my stage 1 procedure. I was in the hospital a total of 5 days. No body brace, not really sure what that device is. Surgical pain and swelling were a little worse, but both symtoms practically gone in 2 weeks. Although they call it a spacer , on Xray it looks just like a joint.

sorry to hear that your experiencing infection treatment and revision soon. Infection from pseudo tumors is rare. I’m glad that you have a experienced surgeon. 

I had pseudo tumors caused by metal erosion and cobalt toxicity from implant causing the femur implant to loosen . Finally had revision and a now I’m back on my horses. Gentle walking. The healing from revision takes a little longer and mabe a bit tougher but it all worked out. It’s always worth a good fight to get back mobility. 

I know you will be riding again to. Wishing all that you need on your journey to recovery.

Plz keep posting on your journey.👍

Donna

I was in for a week for my stage 1. That was the time to get the cultures done. It was quite fortunate as we had builders in replacing three bathrooms in the house so I missed one week of the chaos.

But being in hospital was a lot easier - especially getting in and out of bed - the electric bed does make it easier. That said I was pleased to be home.

Stage 2 was much quicker. I think I was out on day 3.

I think the bit of the spacer that goes into the femur is very similar to a joint but there is no cup. Also it's held in place with a mixture of joint cement and antibiotic granules so as to help getting rid of the infection inside the femur.  (well that it how I understand it)

Mike