Hip Infection Second Hip Infection

[Mojo333]

@Antnee334
Sure hate you've got additional issues to be resolved.
Know that we are wishing you well and will be anxious to hear what they tell you.
A whole month + wait...
Sending good mojo your way!

 

[Mireille]

@Antnee334 Good to hear things are looking up! I hope you get your surgery date soon! Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers!

 

[Antnee334]

I had a CT scan this Sunday. It has been two months. The report stated that there isn't any appreciable healing. My ortho is out of town and his stand-in thinks this is fine and would not expect to see anything to speak of until about the twenty week mark. The PA in the office texted my ortho who said he is not concerned either as he plans to do a distal fixation.

My concerns are that the extra length to clear the present fractures (9 inches) will serve as a lever putting more lateral force on the bones with my present activities – namely holding up the motorcycle

With the distal fixation the proximal portion of the bone will encounter way less stress, will this lead to thinning of that bone segment?
With the distal fixation what happens when something goes wrong again?

If a somewhat proximal fixation is possible after healing would this be the better choice to approximate the level of activity I had before?

Could the antibiotic spacer delay the healing of the bone, if so what is the alternative?

 

[Layla]

Hi @Antnee334
Let's ask @Josephine to comment. She's the only expert onboard when it comes to these matters.
Hopefully she can answer your questions. I've tagged her and will look forward to her response.
I hope you have a nice weekend!

 

[Josephine]

his stand-in thinks this is fine and would not expect to see anything to speak of until about the twenty week mark. The PA in the office texted my ortho who said he is not concerned either as he plans to do a distal fixation.

A distal fixation? But your fracture is in the proximal section. That makes no sense to me at all.

My concerns are that the extra length to clear the present fractures (9 inches) will serve as a lever putting more lateral force on the bones with my present activities – namely holding up the motorcycle

I would strongly suggest that if you do have a non-union - and it seems like you have - then you shouldn't be doing anything like that anyway.

will this lead to thinning of that bone segment?

Any metaware next to the bone causes weakening - it's called stress shielding. Read this How does bone grow - stress sheilding

If a somewhat proximal fixation is possible after healing would this be the better choice to approximate the level of activity I had before?

That really is impossible to be able to predict, my friend.

Could the antibiotic spacer delay the healing of the bone

Oh no. ABX spacers have no effects like that.

 

[Antnee334]

Thanks for the quick response.

 

[Mojo333]

Are you are doing okay!?
Have you got a date yet?
Guess you are certainly ready to have this all done with.
Please let us know when you are able.
@chalcedonian1 had also travelled a tough road but appears to finally be turning a corner.
Keep the faith.

 

[Antnee334]

No talk at all about putting in my new part since the CT scan revealed the fractures aren't healing. Trying to get a bone growth stimulator but insurance won't cover it until after 90 days of no healing. Waiting on a call from the company that supplies them to see if I can cover the cost. Also awaiting to see if a specialist in delayed and non union of bone fractures will take my case. I have an appointment with my ortho on Aug 23.

 

[Mojo333]

how terribly frustrating.
Please keep the faith...I am rooting for you, sincerely!
Keep the faith @Antnee334

 

[Antnee334]

Update,
CT Scan of the femur on August 22 showed no healing of the femur fractures. I had a visit with my ortho in early Sept and he recommended I might want to get a second opinion. I had be researching for a ortho who would fix others difficult cases.

I found a surgeon in Tampa who runs a teaching facility and has lots of experience with these cases. He also felt it wasn't infected and the metal on metal reactions present a host of confusing issues. Surgery was set for Oct 11.

The Surgeon was pleased with the results. He installed a Depuy Pinnacle cup with ceramic ball and modular long stem that attaches down at the knee. The shaft has a rough surface that the bone can attach to along its entire length. He feels that the removal of all the antibiotic cement and stem, and the new blood and marrow around the new stem will foster the bone into healing.

I came home in 48 hours with a new 15 inch scar. I attached a photo and will welcome any suggestions for a good story about how I got those scars. So far my favorite is I survived an attack from a buck tooth alligator.

I am only 20 lbs weight bearing for the next six weeks and then I believe 40 for another 6 weeks. Still a long road ahead but at least I have my parts and I am headed in the right direction.

 

[Mojo333]

Oh my stars...that picture could almost rival @Fractured and his alligator bite!
So glad to hear from you...and as bad as this has all been...want to think this is the beginning of a new beginning for getting this hip show on the road!
Onward dear @Antnee334

 

[Layla]

Amazing!
You'd be able to scare little children on Halloween without even trying
I'm happy to hear you have the surgery behind you and all sounds promising.
Now onto the healing part.
Please continue to update, I'm sure many will be fascinated by your journey.
I know I'll be watching.
I hope you have a nice weekend!
@Antnee334

 

[Fractured]

@Antnee334 Yo Antnee My Brotha from anutha Motha!! Holy Cow I'd say we were cloned??? I thinnk Me You, and Cyndia's Hubby have been chipped form the same stone??? Feel mo betta soon!!!

Looks like your femur has fractures too. Mine had to be sawed and opened like a book to clean all the infection and cement out! But I am now up and walking so far so good knock on wood

 

[Antnee334]

Fractured, you should just have a zipper! (liked the Brooklyn accent, reminded me of home). Doing PT at home, have an appointment with the Ortho on Halloween to have stitches out and see what he plans for my progress. I have been laying in bed about an hour a day to try and get flat and stretch out. It is so much nicer not having that antibiotic spacer crunching and ligaments snapping all the time. Still wearing the bone simulator for three hours a day and hopefully that will help with all the femur fractures. Hopefully will have a picture of the new parts after next Wednesdays visit.

Antnee

 

[Layla]

Good luck with next Wednesday's visit, Antnee.
Please let us know how it goes.
Those are sure some scars you and Fractured are sportin'.
I hope you have a good rest of the week
@Antnee334

 

[Toddlermom]

Pirates! Tell them it was pirates! Feel better. Your body must be exhausted. Sending you all the healing juju that I have.

 

[Layla]

Good luck with your doctor's visit today @Antnee334 I hope all goes well. Let us know what you hear.
Now don't be scaring off any of the little Trick or Treaters tonight with that scar
Best wishes for a great rest of the week!

 

[Antnee334]

I didn't use my superpower scars to frighten any of the trick or treaters. Stitches came out yesterday and I finally can shower. The surgeon is optimistic about the outcome. There still is a lot of bone healing that needs to take place and his words were nature and time. Three more weeks of walker and 20 lbs weight bearing, after next visit if all is well then up to 100 lbs and finally mid-January on to a cane. He did say for a large bone with as many fractures it could take two years for the bone to remodel and be as one with the stem. He also said I would be able to resume normal activities as long as they aren't crazy or reckless in a year. Alls well that ends well. Still having a hard time extending the leg from a seated position. Seems the quads shrunk up while the spacer was present and the leg was shortened. The overnight lengthening to normal put a strain on some of the workings.
Fair amount of ouch under the patella while extending. Took 5 months to get that way so I am sure it will take a little bit to undo. Thanks for all the support
Antnee

 

[Antnee334]

 

[Layla]

Hahaha! Glad you exercised some restraint and didn't send the little trick or treaters off screaming.

Wow, that's quite a pic. A lot going on there. Great news on stitches coming out and first showers.
All steps forward. I can't imagine the weight bearing restrictions, I know many have them and I supposed you get used to it. I'll be happy for you when the restrictions are finally lifted. It's wonderful your surgeon feels optimistic about all. That is encouraging!
Wishing you only the best, please stay in touch, love to read your updates.
@Antnee334