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Hip Infection Recovered from THR x 2 on both sides - now new pain

susanlanc said:
After 2 weeks, re-admitted to hospital with infection. Surgery scheduled few days later for debridement hoping to clear out infection. After another week, realized that didn't work so re-admitted for hip removal and hip spacer put in place. The infectious disease doctor is confident we can clear up infection and have a new hip installed in couple of months.

I'm currently on IV antibiotics and using walker for limited ambulation. I've finally started feeling better and working through some depression. My one concern right now is did others have some hip pain from the spacer? It just feels like the spacer is so fragile or maybe I'm just psyched out about something else happening.
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Hoping to get in touch...with others who are recovering from infection in their THR's.

Right now in "limbo" I suppose but worsening symptoms is changing that - - I had left hip infection, having had antibiotic thru an iv in the hospital about 4 weeks post op from my surgery of my left THR.

I'm attempting to educate myself as my symptoms are changing since the hospital treatment of antibiotics and having had to go on oral antibiotics as well since.

Don't have a supportive ortho surgeon the one who did my surgery, the jerk denies I needed any antibiotics and that I had no infection ! So I am very much needing to get beyond where I live and had my surgery to get a good ortho surgeon + infectious disease specialist dr.

Was reading about your challenge with having the spacer and difficulty with pain and walking. So sorry to hear that and I hope you are able to find ways to be mobile with a walker and find out what you can do for getting around. I am glad there are others here that can support and answer questions. But I wasn't clear with what Josephine, the nurse posted about the spacer and the photo.

I am worried about my right hip THR done 8 yrs ago, it is starting to have muscle pain & now directly where the implant is, I can barely get weight on my leg for the past 5 days the pain is so intense :( I am so glad to find you and others are here with your challenge of hip infection, sorry you have to have that path truly, but know it will be good to share & support each other.

You are further along than me, having ortho surgeon & infectious dis. dr. & a debridement. Hoping to get a good ortho on board to assess what is going on with both of my THR's & the infection status. What tests did your drs. do in determining implant had to come out & what antibiotic is being used? I had vancomycin in hospital iv then amphycillin for 10 days.

In much fear - - reality of what is happening and what I may have laying ahead of me. Coming here has been a God-send and reading your post - - anxiety & depression at times I pray and know I must stay in positive thoughts - - I pray but until I get good drs. in place my prayers the unknown is scarey. My fear the infection if systemic from initial days pray it is not why my right THR leg (older implant was very successful no problems) and from what I understand any infection subdermal or not can spread. & thru tissue & blood and it can get into the bone where the implant is and both implants now - - similar of reading what you are going thru now too. have much to learn !

Thanks for being here and so hoping the stage with the spacer and your mobility can be resolved in some way and you can get some pain relief.

"Warrior Woman"
(this user-name I picked for the tough path ahead - - to know I possess faith, courage & strength)....it sure helps to know I'm not alone and I hope I can help be support to you for that "warrior" one in you !
 
Hi @susanlanc and @WarriorWoman
I have read your posts and feel for you both. I haven't had a similar experience at all and I am glad you have got each other to journey together.

I recall the posts of @Sullivand . In January and before she was in the middle of a terrible infection saga but by July she was returning to her work. Quite an inspirational story if you have time to look at her thread.

I wish there was some magic but in the absence of magic I wish you as speedy as possible recovery.
 
Thank you Copsham, for your reply to me and Susanlanc. I am unable to sleep and it was nice to receive such a quick reply from someone and all the way from the United Kingdom. Bless you!

Yes, I did see Sullivand and her documented journey, and will reference it more and hope to be connecting with her as well - - it is so good to see she had a uphill climb with the infection and then with such a faithful strength to see herself returning to work and her fine profession as a dedicated teacher... and it becoming a reality!

Appreciate your kindness to me in the wee hours of the morning here in the US, like a beacon of hope lights up
on this path for me and for Susanlanc too !

Warrior Woman
 
You are welcome Warrior Woman. Love your name by the way. Keep in touch.
 
Hello @susanlanc
I just noticed that @copsham mentioned me to you and thought I would check in and send encouragement and prayers your way. I had the antibiotic spacer implant for 13 weeks and was on IV antibiotics for 8 weeks. I was under close supervision of infectious disease doctor who ran blood work once a week during the time I had the antibiotic spacer. He was the one who released me for the next surgery to put on the permanent hip. Yes~ I had pain with the spacer and used Tramadol for about the first 10 weeks. When I started feeling better ~ I made little trips out with my daughters and friends~ lunch, movies w recliners, pedicure using my own tools and grocery store w those scooters! One thing I noticed was because the spacer was put in for a temporary fix~ it would shift or move with a delay when I would move my leg. It just felt weird and I too worried it was not sturdy ~ X-rays proved otherwise!
Hang in there~ stay patient and try to find peace in the fact that you are only in control of your healing and nothing else. I am praying for you.
@WarriorWoman ~ I am so sorry you are dealing with this too. I will look for your thread and find your story. I am praying for you too.
 
After both hip replacements 2 years ago, then revisions on both last year, then infection in left, spacer, allergic reaction to antibiotics and in November 2015 had spacer replaced with another hip replaced, i was finally on road to recovery. Everything was going really well with only issues being leg weakness but was getting better every day. Was up to walking several miles a day for 3 or 4 days a week. This past Sunday I was feeling so well, I decided to do a little yard work. Walking backward I tripped over a bush and fell directly on the hip that had the infection, spacer, etc. After my initial fear, I was able to get up and walk but was definitely sore. The outside of my leg is still sore and i now have a pain in my groin. Especially when i lean over or straighten back up. I'm just paranoid something my be wrong, and the thought of having to go through another surgery scares me to death. Could it just be muscles or ligaments that I've pulled and it'll be ok?
 
Hi, Susan! Be kind to yourself and rest. You can always check with a doctor if you are still concerned.

You have been through the mill with all of your surgeries and problems! I have just had one THR and I am SO hoping that I'll never have to go through that again. Your experience is a lesson to all of us to not walk backwards, isn't it. But when we start to feel better, we often make moves without thinking.

I am dealing with several strained/torn muscles in my hip/thigh area that have been present since surgery, as far as I can tell.
 
@susanlanc So sorry to hear about your fall. I too had a major fall recently on the hip I had replaced 17 months ago. I did have a major bruise and soft tissue and muscle soreness. It is just now fading away at about 3 weeks from the fall.

What surface did you fall on? Did you ice following the fall? If you are the slightest bit worried please as your primary care doctor to refer you for an x-ray. Then at least you will have the peace of mind. But do note - these implants are pretty tough. It would take a major whack to damage the implant.
 
Thanks @Krista. I sure hope that's all it is. I'm sure your pain will get better. If you just had your surgery in January, you still have some recovering to do. Take care!
 
@Jaycey, I fell on the ground and once I got up, I continued to work in the yard. I know, I know, I should have gone in and iced it. Maybe one day I'll learn! I think I'll give it a few more days more before I call the doctor. He's 1.5 hours away and I just hate to go there if it's nothing. Thanks for your reply.
 
@susanlanc My THR was done last July. So I am working with a new doctor to help pinpoint exactly what is wrong, which muscles/tendons and just how bad they are. It takes time. I'm amazed you kept on working in the yard after the fall! I had a couple of falls in the years before my THR, so I have been extra, extra careful. But probably when I am more pain-free and mobile in future, I'll not be quite so careful any more!
 
susanlanc said:
I fell on the ground and once I got up, I continued to work in the yard.
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You are in good company. I fell on cement and continued to drive to my volunteer job that requires I be on my feet for 4 hours. Only iced twice after the fall.

I found the pain comes for a sudden jolt versus impact on a surface. Keep icing. Gentle stretches and nothing too strenuous for a bit. I'll bet this eases - but you may need to give it time.
 
When we have a fall in a situation where that would be rather more than somewhat scary, we tighten up even the instant before falling. This means that the impact of the fall then reverberates throughout your body in a much more impacting way that it would otherwise have done. Like a ripple effect it goes through ligaments and muscles that are being held in tension and therefore much more susceptible to being damaged by the impact. That's not to say you will have or even might have caused tears or anything but it certainly has a kind of whiplash effect which can leave you with significant pain. It's really just like having a sprain. That's all it is, I'm sure. So just rest up, take some otc pain pills and apply some ice or heat - whatever you feel is best - and see how things go. I'm quite sure they will settle down in a few days or a week or so.
 
Thanks everyone. I feel much more confident I'll be fine.
 
After having had two hip replacements on both sides, I had to have a total hip revision on the left due to infection and 4 months later a replacement. After, what seemed like an eternity, I was walking 3 or more miles several times a week. It's now 2 years later and I'm experiencing groin and hip pain when I sit. When I walk or stand, I'm fine. I'm paranoid that something is wrong since groin pain was my first symptom before I had my first THR. I've got an appointment with the orthopedist in 4 weeks, but I was wondering if anyone else has experienced the same symptoms?
 
@susanianc ,
Welcome back to BoneSmart, sorry to hear you are having problems with your hip.
It could be you have tight hip flexor muscles, or a muscle imbalance around your hip.
Your surgeon should be able to figure out what is causing your groin pain.

I am going to tag @Josephine , to address your concerns, she may have some questions for you.
 
Susanianc,
I merged your earlier thread with your new thread, having your extensive history with infections and revisions all in one place will help us better advise you.
Thanks!

For several reasons, we prefer that you only have one recovery thread:
  • That way, we have all your information in one place. This makes it easier to go back and review your history before providing advice.
  • If you keep starting new threads, you miss the posts and advice others have left for you in the old threads, and some information may be unnecessarily repeated
  • Having only one thread will act as a diary of your progress that you can look back on.
So please post any updates, questions or concerns about your recovery here. If you prefer a different thread title, just post what you want and we'll get it changed for you.
If you need an urgent response to a question, just tag a member of staff.
How to tag another member; how to answer when someone tags you

Here are the instructions on finding your thread, How can I find my threads and posts? . Many members bookmark their thread, so they can find it when they log on.
 
@susanlanc You have had such alot of worry and pain. I am in the middle of infection treatment, I had my first infection 6 years ago after having my artificial hip done many years before, Hip was removed iv and spacer for 4 months and then new hip. everything went smoothly except for terrible pain with spacer because it bent and really i could hardly move. I had a wonderful 5 years and then suddenly August 17 i started with terrible pain and really ill, I was rushed into hospital with sepis, again the hip was removed and i was in hospital withiv and spacer, but it was a slower progress and different antibiotics, eventually i had a new hip in January 18 and all felt good but painful,I dislocated after 13 weeks and after2 more dislocations they opened me up and found infection so the hip came out again and here I am with a spacer and IV this time I shall have the spacer for maybe 9 months and I have had daily nurse visits for IV and this will go on until the end of December. I am not in a hurry to get my hip as you can imagine the fear element and the thought it may happen again. Time will tell how we go, the spacer i have got used to, I am non weight bearing but manage well with crutches and a buggy. I feel well, I do take lots of supplements whether they help or not who knows!! I ache tremendously but am now in the hands of a rheumatologist who may further help me. Try and keep positive although of course ups and downs will come. Im here if i can help and Bonesmart have been wonderful. Thinking of you, big hugsxxx
 
@susanlanc Welcome back to BoneSmart. So sorry you are once again in pain. Please let us know how you appointment goes!
 
Ohy my goodness clodaghcov! I do feel for you. I wonder what causes infection after all those years? That's what I'm afraid of. It came about so suddenly for me, so it's just always in the back of my mind. I guess patience is the key to surviving all this. Unfortunately, that's not one of my best characteristics. I do have an appointment with the surgeon in a couple of weeks, but since I stopped exercising, the pain seems to have lessened. Please take care of yourself, and if you need someone to commiserate with, just let me know!
 
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