Antibiotic Hip Spacer

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Victoria1122

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Hi,
My name is Vicki and my boyfriend (46 years old) had a hip replacement done on April 26th of this year. He developed an infection that didn't go away and just had another surgery 2 weeks ago to have an antibiotic cement spacer put in. We were told that he would feel relief from the terrible pain he was in all summer and that he would be able to get around with a cane in no time at all. So far that has not been the case.
I know it's only been 2 weeks since the surgery, but he's unable to move his leg due to extreme pain. We have been trying to get him in to see the OS but have been unable to be "fit in" for an appointment before the 15th of October.
We ended up taking him to the emergency room, at the recommendation of our visiting nurse, yesterday because of it. The x-rays didn't show anything abnormal and the ER doctor couldn't say why he is experiencing so much pain. We were given more pain meds and sent home without any answers.
We are beside ourselves with worry and concern.
The pain he is having is mostly in the crease of his leg, which is preventing him from being able to move his leg at all. We're wondering at this point if he'll just have to accept the pain and stay immobile for the next 2 months or if there is something that can be done to alleviate the pain.
Any help or insight would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
 
Hello, Vicki, and welcome to BoneSmart. I'm so sorry your boyfriend is having all this pain. However, the surgeon should have explained to you that in 50% of cases this is likely to happen. It rather depends how well the surgeon created the spacers as well.

So, this surgeon - is he the one that did the original hip replacement? Is he an acknowledged revision surgeon in infected cases?

I see you are on this thread so I'll wait here for your reply :wink:
 
The same surgeon has done both operations. He is very evasive and hasn't given us many answers at all. I don't know if he is an acknowledged revision surgeon in infected cases. Doesn't seem so!
 
Hi Vicki...How terrible for your boyfriend, I do hope he sees someone sooner then later for proper pain meds. I too am living through his nightmare of infection. It has been almost 6 weeks now since my original replaced hip got infected and had to be removed and a metal one put in.
I am also on anti-biotics but I get IV Penicillin, 6 doses a day non stop now for 6 weeks and still a month to go.

It is a hard place to find yourself in and you and your boyfriend have my sympathy but try and hold on, I too get so down I could just scream but my good buddies at Bonesmart help me carry on. You came to the right place here for sure.

I will keep you in my prayers. Good luck, I hope it all settles down soon...,JackiesLost
 
Hi, Vicki....welcome to BoneSmart. I'm so sorry to hear of what has happened to your boyfriend, but understand that you have talked with Jo and have had at least some of your concerns addressed. Please don't hesitate to post here any time you are anxious or have questions. It's what we're here for. You have a great big BoneSmart family now that will support you and help get you both through this.

I hope that you are using the clinic locator link by now to research revision specialists in your area. If you need any help, please don't hesitate to contact either Jo or me. We'll do our best to see that he gets to the right person. You DEFINITELY need a surgeon who understands the problem and who will TALK with you. Sadly, I don't think the person you have now is the one.
 
Thank you all so much for your help and support. It has been a great relief to talk with others who understand and care about what is happening to us.
Yesterday was the first day in many months that John and I felt some of the stress leave us. Just understanding what is going on and finally getting some answers has helped tremendously! I'm sure I will be visiting this site daily!
Thank you again!!!
 
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