1. Community
  2. Operations and surgical procedures
  3. Hip Replacement

Joint infection 8 weeks out. OMG!!!

Posted , 14 users are following.

molly29060
molly29060

At exactly 8 weeks out from THR, right hip, I came down with a Staph B infection. High temp, huge warm red patch over the joint and aches in my leg. It came on in 24 hrs time. Emergency admitted me and I had surgery the next morning. The surgeon opened me up cleaned it out and replaced the ball and the socket liner.

Report was my healing was going very well inside. I was actually going to return to work in 2 weeks. I spent 4 nights in the hospital, I am on IV antibiotics for 6 weeks, to be followed by oral antibiotics for 3 months (at least). And, more time off of work.

I am here because I was absolutely devastated to learn that the chances of nailing this infection with these antibiotics is only 50/50. I am 55 in July and healthy in every other respect. Not even any allergies! It was osteoarthritis that led to surgery. If this doesnt go away I will have to go through surgery again, put a cement antibiotic-infused spacer in, clear the infection and THEN ALL new parts. I hate to think of the condition my poor leg bone will be in by then, let alone my psyche.

I am home from the hospital just a week now. I have never identified as a sickly person. I feel completely floored by this and dont know who to talk to. I'm tempted to think I'm over reacting as I know people get much worse news than this every day. But, the idea that this bacteria is living in me and may not go away is REALLY freaking me out.

So, suggestions? Any good outcomes to encourage me? I'm so scared of germs now and can't stop thinking of my mortality and I cry at the drop of a hat. I'm normally not worried or scared about surgeries and have had my fair share but this has made me so afraid now...like for the rest of my life. I dont want to come undone about this. I could use some input. Thanks smile

0 likes, 29 replies

29 Replies

Prev
  • linda80011
    linda80011 molly29060

    Posted

    Molly, I had a thr then 4 months later a tkr. The knee became infected. I was on antibiotic IVs for 6 weeks. I was so worried they would have to take it out and start over.   They did not. The antibiotics worked!   My doctor put me on 3 nutritional drinks plus my regular meals.   This was 9 months ago.  I am super careful about cuts and carry antibiotic cream with me.  I no long get pedicures.    I pray you have as good of results as I did. 
    • linda80011
      linda80011

      Posted

      I counted the days until the pic line would come out and I froze every time they drew blood to check for the infection. But a friend who had been through it told me  to just get my daily routine established and do one day at a time.  It will be over soon.  And it was. 
    • molly29060
      molly29060 linda80011

      Posted

      Thank you. I got Pedicure 8 days before this set in. The doctor thought that I probably had the bug about a week before it surfaced. I remember her scraping too close under one of my toenails and it hurt. I'm freaked about those now too. I think I'm not going to get them any more either. Or the gel manicures. More and more evidence of skin cancer with those.

  • t3chiman
    t3chiman molly29060

    Posted

    "...I'm so scared of germs now and can't stop thinking of my mortality ..."

    Molly-

      Without going into details, I can say: the combination of dread of major surgery, plus borderline germophobia, makes for a very unpleasant and upsetting frame of mind. It helps to avoid second-guessing your actions--you did nothing wrong to bring about this state of affairs. You got the professionals on the case in a timely fashion, they know what to do. Best to let them do their work. You have a rough couple of months ahead, unfortunately.

    Sympathies, etc.

     

    • molly29060
      molly29060 t3chiman

      Posted

      Thank you. Somehow realizing I'm put of control here and Im just doing what the doctors tell me DOES offer some relief.

  • michael11283
    michael11283 molly29060

    Posted

    Hi Molly

    Juming in a bit late here. I had an infected hip but unlike yours mine started some years after the THR and was undiagnosed for over 2 years. As a result the infection was quite well established and they had to take the joint out, clean everything out, put in a spacer with antibiotic cement and treat me with antibiotices for 6 weeks.

    Hopefully, since your infection has not got too much of a hold a long course of antibiotics will cure it without having to remove the joint.

    But if the worst were to happen the "two stage procedure" to remove and replace an infected joint is not too bad. I'm 10 months on from mine and cycled 70 miles to celebrate my 70th birthday last month.

    Hoping yours clears up without the surgery

    Mike

    • molly29060
      molly29060 michael11283

      Posted

      Hi Mike,

      Wow!  I am impressed with your fitness and your history of healing!

      I really hope they don't need to do the second set of surgeries.  I would be so concerned with the bone re-growing again as it should.  I was wondering how the spacer feels.  Is it hugely different than the artificial joint?  Is one laid up during that cemet spacer time period or is it alot like the replacement was?  Glad you popped in because I haven't run into anybody who has had that.

      Thanks!

    • michael11283
      michael11283 molly29060

      Posted

      Hi Molly

      I hope so too!!

      No the spacer is not as good as a replacement joint. Mine was quite sore at the beginning though I could partial weight bear on it so getting about was not a problem. It was sore when you moved it (and it creaked which amused the grandchildren) but it did gradually improve.

      Whatever happens just look forward to the final result - a functioning pain and infection free hip, possibly not quite as good as the one you were born with but much better than what you had before the surgery.

      Best of luck

      Mike

  • jbrhip
    jbrhip molly29060

    Posted

    I am very alarmed to hear what you have gone through as I heard about this from a friend of mine just a week ago at a meeting we had.  Apparently this situation you have found yourself in is not unusual.  The problem with it is that very little was discussed by my doctor prior to surgery on the potential for infection.  I am 7 months out from THR of my right hip and so far so good but from what I am hearing this potential for infection may last the rest of my life.  I want to hear more from others who have experienced this sort of set back.  I'm sorry you had to go through it but hopefully the infection will be taken away and you'll have no more reassurances like this.

  • jbrhip
    jbrhip molly29060

    Posted

    I wish you could edit your replies as I meant to write reinfection at the end and give my best wishes as well.

    Best Wishes,

    Jb

  • Gasparilla
    Gasparilla molly29060

    Posted

    Molly,

    So sorry you are dealing with this. Unfortunately, all of us with hip prostheses are at higher risk for systemic infections. It does sound as if you are receiving good care, but it’s going to take some time to win this battle. Good luck!

Back to top
Prev

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.