Hip Infection* Recurring Hip Infection

acgolden9

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I am about to go thru my sixth hip surgery over the last two years due to recurring infections. Is there a long term treatment plan to keep this from happening again? Any information on this would be greatly appreciated
 
Wlecome to BoneSmart, glad you joined us!
Sorry to hear of your recurring infections. Being in America Samoa, I imagine your surgeon choices are limited.
Please post your surgery dates, a moderator will add them to your signature for you. Having the exact dates will help us properly advise you. Thanks!

Some surgeons send samples for genetic testing for accurate determination of the pathogens in volved, one we suggest is G. Maale MD in Fort Worth Texas .http://www.dfwsarcoma.com/about_us_dr_malee.php.

Let us know more about your story so we can better advise.
 
Wlecome to BoneSmart, glad you joined us!
Sorry to hear of your recurring infections. Being in America Samoa, I imagine your surgeon choices are limited.
Please post your surgery dates, a moderator will add them to your signature for you. Having the exact dates will help us properly advise you. Thanks!

Some surgeons send samples for genetic testing for accurate determination of the pathogens in volved, one we suggest is G. Maale MD in Fort Worth Texas .http://www.dfwsarcoma.com/about_us_dr_malee.php.

Let us know more about your story so we can better advise.
Hi Pumpkin. First I need to clarify that I am actually in the United States. Not sure how I put America Samoa. I have never participated in a Forum before so I haven't quite figured out where to put all my information. lol. Should I put my story here or in my profile. Sorry, not very good at this
 
Hi @acgolden9
Welcome to BoneSmart. Thanks for joining us. I'm sorry you've found yourself in this situation, forced to undergo multiple surgeries. I hope your pain is well managed throughout all.

Continue to post on this thread (here) that you started. I'm sure others will stop by to offer support also.
Following is a link to others who've experienced infection, if interested -

Wishing you comfort as you journey through the process.
 
Hi @acgolden9
Welcome to BoneSmart. Thanks for joining us. I'm sorry you've found yourself in this situation, forced to undergo multiple surgeries. I hope your pain is well managed throughout all.

Continue to post on this thread (here) that you started. I'm sure others will stop by to offer support also.
Following is a link to others who've experienced infection, if interested -

Wishing you comfort as you journey through the process.

Thank you so much for your well wishes and the link. It is greatly appreciated.
 
@acgolden9 Post your story here so that we have a record and can advise you if needed. What is your surgeon's plan for avoiding more infection moving forward?
 
I am about to go thru my sixth hip surgery over the last two years due to recurring infections. Is there a long term treatment plan to keep this from happening again? Any information on this would be greatly appreciated
So I had my first surgery in June 2017. Two months later it got infected and I went into Septic Shock. The surgeon did emergency surgery and did a partial hip replacement. I was put on antibiotic infusions for six weeks. Even though I seemed to be getting better I never felt right and always hurt. In April 2018 the infection came back and the ID doctor said the hip had to come out. On June 11th 2018 the hip was removed and a spacer hip was put in. The surgery was a rough one because the bone had attached to the artificial hip and they had to cut out a piece of my femur to get it out. I went through infusions again and had to be on a walker for 4 months. I was in constant pain the whole time. On Oct 29th, 2018 they did the PHR and all seemed well for about 7 months. Then in June 2019 the infection came back and the surgeon said I had to do the whole two step revision all over again. I had the spacer hip put in on June 13th 2019 and am on a walker once again. The next surgery is scheduled for October 31st. Now I just don't know what to expect. I am scared to death the infection will return. I would really like some feedback from other people who have experienced the same type of situation.
 
@acgolden9 Post your story here so that we have a record and can advise you if needed. What is your surgeon's plan for avoiding more infection moving forward?
To be honest they haven't really given me a direct answer. I am going to pin him down on my next visit and try and get more info
 
Do you have an infection control person you are working with along side your surgeon? If not - ask for one! It's good you are trying to be pro-active about not having this happen again.
 
Do you have an infection control person you are working with along side your surgeon? If not - ask for one! It's good you are trying to be pro-active about not having this happen again.
Yes I do and they have been very helpful but seem to avert the question when I ask what is the long term plan. I guess I need to be more aggressive in my discussions
 
Hello @acgolden9
I think you're right in recognizing you should be more assertive. Hopefully you become better informed soon, some knowledge of next steps may offer you comfort and reassurance. Will continue to follow your progress as long as you keep us in the loop. Wishing you a nice weekend!
 
They definitely owe you some answers and a plan to better try and keep this from happening. Your decision to be more assertive is a good one. This lack of information for you makes me a bit concerned about your surgeon's experience dealing with an infection.

Are you seeing doctors in Atlanta or somewhere closer to the town where you live? If you could provide the name of the surgeon you've been working with, that would help me. You can do it in a Personal Message if you prefer. Have you worked with the same surgeon through all of these procedures?
 
They definitely owe you some answers and a plan to better try and keep this from happening. Your decision to be more assertive is a good one. This lack of information for you makes me a bit concerned about your surgeon's experience dealing with an infection.

Are you seeing doctors in Atlanta or somewhere closer to the town where you live? If you could provide the name of the surgeon you've been working with, that would help me. You can do it in a Personal Message if you prefer. Have you worked with the same surgeon through all of these procedures?
No, I was referred to him after my first LHP got infected twice. He was highly recommended by several doctors and I guess I have been so focused on dealing with the immediate problem that I haven't given much thought to what comes next or the "what ifs". His name is Jeremy Statton. He is with Arthiritis & Total Joint Specialists in Midtown Atlanta and is affiliated with Northside Hospital.
 
Hello @acgolden9
I think you're right in recognizing you should be more assertive. Hopefully you become better informed soon, some knowledge of next steps may offer you comfort and reassurance. Will continue to follow your progress as long as you keep us in the loop. Wishing you a nice weekend!
Thanks Layla. Joining the Forum has made me realize that I need to take my head out of the sand and stop accepting what Im told as if that is all I need to know.
 
Aww, please don't be so hard on yourself. I'm glad you found us. Stick with us for ongoing support and encouragement. Let me tag @Jamie so we're assured she sees your post above.
Wishing you comfort and all the best as you move forward.
@acgolden9
 
Thanks for the tag @Layla. @acgolden9 be sure and tag me if you want me to see your comments quickly.

Layla is right....don't be hard on yourself. As patients we often put ourselves totally in the hands of our professional medical providers when in reality today's medicine works much better when you realize you are a team. With the information now available online (BoneSmart being the premiere resource, of course :)), patients have the opportunity to be an active partner in their care. We'll help you feel more comfortable in that role. Knowledge is power and the more you can read here, ask questions and learn about what you've been through and options available, the better.

I was not familiar with your current surgeon, Dr. Jeremy Statton, so I had a look at information available online regarding his expertise and his practice. He seems like a really enthusiastic and engaged surgeon, but I didn't see any mention of him specializing in complex revisions or infections. So that would be something you need to discuss with him. It will be important to find out how many cases like yours he has successfully dealt with.

Normally I would recommend that you seek some additional opinions on your case and treatment, but this would likely be difficult since surgeons rarely will agree to see a patient who is in the middle of the revision process.

But, as a partner in your care plan, you can meet with Dr. Statton again before your next surgery and request reassurance that he's dealt with cases like yours and he has a plan for ensuring this revision is successful. Of course no one can guarantee an infection won't return, but he should be able to outline the steps both he and the hospital take to keep infection rates low. Ask specifically how many hip revisions he does and how many infection cases he's dealt with. His online presence seemed to me to indicate a real desire to connect with his patients, so I have to believe he will be eager to have this discussion with you to alleviate your concerns. Be sure and write out all your questions first to take with you to the appointment so you don't leave anything out. It will also be helpful if you can take a family member or friend to be there with you, both for moral support and to add a second set of ears to the discussion. It's hard to remember everything that's said. Take notes if you want to.

If you try this approach and still feel uncomfortable about proceeding with the revision, be sure and convey this to Dr. Statton. Don't be afraid of this type of frank conversation. Surgeons are big boys and they realize a patient much have trust and confidence in their medical team. If for some reason you cannot schedule a talk with Dr. Statton before your surgery, you always have the option of rescheduling it so you can get any issues resolved first. It is important that you are confident in his expertise and knowledge.
 
Thanks for the tag @Layla. @acgolden9 be sure and tag me if you want me to see your comments quickly.

Layla is right....don't be hard on yourself. As patients we often put ourselves totally in the hands of our professional medical providers when in reality today's medicine works much better when you realize you are a team. With the information now available online (BoneSmart being the premiere resource, of course :)), patients have the opportunity to be an active partner in their care. We'll help you feel more comfortable in that role. Knowledge is power and the more you can read here, ask questions and learn about what you've been through and options available, the better.

I was not familiar with your current surgeon, Dr. Jeremy Statton, so I had a look at information available online regarding his expertise and his practice. He seems like a really enthusiastic and engaged surgeon, but I didn't see any mention of him specializing in complex revisions or infections. So that would be something you need to discuss with him. It will be important to find out how many cases like yours he has successfully dealt with.

Normally I would recommend that you seek some additional opinions on your case and treatment, but this would likely be difficult since surgeons rarely will agree to see a patient who is in the middle of the revision process.

But, as a partner in your care plan, you can meet with Dr. Statton again before your next surgery and request reassurance that he's dealt with cases like yours and he has a plan for ensuring this revision is successful. Of course no one can guarantee an infection won't return, but he should be able to outline the steps both he and the hospital take to keep infection rates low. Ask specifically how many hip revisions he does and how many infection cases he's dealt with. His online presence seemed to me to indicate a real desire to connect with his patients, so I have to believe he will be eager to have this discussion with you to alleviate your concerns. Be sure and write out all your questions first to take with you to the appointment so you don't leave anything out. It will also be helpful if you can take a family member or friend to be there with you, both for moral support and to add a second set of ears to the discussion. It's hard to remember everything that's said. Take notes if you want to.

If you try this approach and still feel uncomfortable about proceeding with the revision, be sure and convey this to Dr. Statton. Don't be afraid of this type of frank conversation. Surgeons are big boys and they realize a patient much have trust and confidence in their medical team. If for some reason you cannot schedule a talk with Dr. Statton before your surgery, you always have the option of rescheduling it so you can get any issues resolved first. It is important that you are confident in his expertise and knowledge.
Thank you so much for this information. I have written down a few questions but it is all so overwhelming. I was wondering if you might suggest a few more questions that might get me some direct answers. I currently have a pre op but it is with one of his PAs. I am going to try and get it changed so I can meet with him directly.
 
Aww, please don't be so hard on yourself. I'm glad you found us. Stick with us for ongoing support and encouragement. Let me tag @Jamie so we're assured she sees your post above.
Wishing you comfort and all the best as you move forward.
@acgolden9
Thanks for the encouragement Layla. It really does help talking to people who understand what you are going thru. They have bumped my surgery up to 10/31/19 so it is fast approaching. I will be glad to get passed it but a little nervous as well
 

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