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Hip replacement spacer?

Posted , 6 users are following.

Globe410
Globe410

So I ended up going to the emergency room last week with severe pain in my groin area, I'm 29 years old and was in a serious car accident November of last year. I knew for a fact I was going to need a THR somewhere in the future as my orthepedic surgeon had told me. I didn't think it was going to be this soon.

So due to a infection I acquired from the surgical wound I received last year in my hip, they were able to salvage my hip, now when I went back to the emerfency room last week the infection had deformed my femoral head, so they went ahead and performed a debridgement (cleaned the infected area out in surgery) and removed screw they had implanted in my hip from the fracture I initially received in the car accident.

Now I currently have a hip spacer, which I believe is temporary, until my infection is gone. Will I be able to walk without a cane with my hip spacer I know its basically made out of cement, and not titanium like the final THR, what can I expect till I get the final THR? I know it can only get better with the final THR any tips to get around mobility with the hip spacer?

2 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • candice57475
    candice57475 Globe410

    Posted

    You have had a tough time! There is a recent discussion from a man who is undergoing the two stages now. His name is 3Michael11283. From following his discussions he seems to be a very nice man who has also had tough circumstances. I would maybe reach out to him. I wish you the best in your recovery.
  • hope4cure
    hope4cure Globe410

    Posted

    The things that happen to us has been so challenging as our hips fail us. I truly hope you will get thru this and heal well to recover thru to THR with no further problems. 

    Here is the link to Michael who went thru two stage treatment due to infection that Candice was posting about. Michael is a very nice man and has been thru so many challenges. He will be the one to connect with, it helps to know that someone else is going thru the same . Not that anyone would ever expect these things to happen. We are told of the risks of infection and warned as we never expect it to happen to us.

    I'm surprised the doctor hasn't given you more information. That is unbelievable. . Can you get your records and read some of the procedures and evaluations in your case.

    https://patient.info/forums/discuss/first-stage-of-two-tomorrow-582124

    Peace and Healing.

  • michael11283
    michael11283 Globe410

    Posted

    Hi there,

    I, like you have got a spacer instead of a hip joint. Speaking to others it is definitely only partial weight bearing so we will be on crutches until the infection clears and they give us new hips. In theory i have 6 weeks on antibiotics (5 to go) and 2 without. Then the new hip!!

    My spacer isn't too bad. It can be a bit painful when I stand up and if I do my exercises but it is OK walking.

    You have a big advantage over me though. I'm 68 now but when I broke mine (also in a car accident) I was about your age and getting about on crutches was a lot easier! The treatment back in the 70's was 3 months in traction ie lying in bed with weights pulling your leg away from the pelvis. Orthopaedics have moved on a lot and I imagine your new hip will last many years.

    Keep in touch

    Mike

  • AnnieK
    AnnieK Globe410

    Posted

    You will need to talk with the surgeon for information specific to you. Some people are not allowed to weight bear at all on that leg, for others it is partial weight-bearing. Your surgeon should have given you a list of restrictions.
    • Globe410
      Globe410 AnnieK

      Posted

      Yeah, he did full weight bearing clearence on mu hip, but just to be cautious since the final HRP will bring more mobility, thx
    • AnnieK
      AnnieK Globe410

      Posted

      Interesting. I've never heard of anyone who was allowed to be full weight-bearing with a spacer. Good luck to you!

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