living without a hip

[bigwratt]

has anyone like the wife been left without a hip,having had 4 opps in past 2 months
mainly for infection,hip removed ,replaced with a spacer,dislocation twice of spacer
now had that removed,and expected to live without it for at least a year.
surgeon,seems to think he will not be replacing it,and may hae to live without it

[Cheryllewis]

I had my hip removed last October due to radiation damage and bacteria from a cat bite. I use a walker now in the house and short distances such as a doctors visit  I was fortunate enough to find a disability van and a electric wheelchair so I have regain some of my independence. I can go to asps, shopping etc without having to have someone with me. I am taking therapy and will be getting a raised shoe since my right leg is now over 2 inches shorter than the left. My hope is to be able to walk with a walker.
I will not be able to replace the hip due to weakness of the the bones but I am still working to be able to do more and more without it. The main thing is to follow doctors instructions and keep a positive attitude. I am a thorough believer in me can do anything we set our minds to...

[KaJeep95]

Does the pain decrease with no joint? I am 39 and had several hip replacements and revisions. Went in to have a revision done last week and woke up without a hip joint at all. They did say they will go back in after a couple months to try and put a hip joint back in. Just don't know if I'm better off without the joint if I can get the pain in control.

[Pitbullmel]

Well tell u I had 7 done November 10 I was told I'll never get a hip put back in and yes I'm in pain everyday of my life and don't take nothing for it so ya it's hard to go though it good luck pray for u

[Mary1658]

I've had both hips replaced due to a vascular necrosis. The 1st one was in 2012. I'll never forget it. I woke up from surgery with drop foot and RSD very very painful. I screamed for days. After this horrible time in rehab where they really didn't do much I was referred to a neurologist for nerve conduction studies. That's where this excruciating pain was finally diagnosed as RSD. The tests showed that my tibial, sciatica and peroneal nerves were all severed. There is no cure for RSD and it can be very painful. The 2nd hip was replaced in 2015 and yes by a different sergeon. It was good for almost two years and then one morning I woke up screaming in pain. I waited 4 days before going to the Er. When I went I was septic. I had surgery the next day and the replacement was removed due to serious infection. The Dr said he put in a spacer however 2 weeks later the infection became severe. I was again taken to surgery and the spacer removed and the area cleaned out but the infection had already traveled into the femur. I lost several inches of bone and only had antibiotic seeds in place. Overall I had 4 surgeries in the past 6 months all due to infection. I was told by an infectious disease Dr that I had Mrsa. Very difficult to treat he said. I was on antibiotics for 6 months. 1st it was Iv antibiotics and after that I was placed on preventive antibiotics.. I was also told you never get rid of Mrsa it lays dormant in the body and can cause infection at any time. I'm in a wheelchair now it's been a year now. Even though the surgeon said he'd try a replacement again in 4 months as long as I didn't have any infection. I decided that at 60 years old I'd rather not be able to walk than go through that pain again. I can stand with a walker but I can only take a few steps cuz I can't rely on my other leg for help since I have drop foot and now rotation in that leg up to the knee. My 1st experience was such a nightmare I don't know how I did it the 2nd time and now with no hip. I transfer with a sliding board and I do just fine. I wish I could walk but not at the price I would have to pay. I'm only in pain if I try to bare weight otherwise I'm doing ok. I hope this helps you in some way. Good luck and God bless you

[Stefanie_Yvonne]

I had my hip and part of my femur removed November 2015. I am now in much less pain, and get around with crutches and a walker. I am about to undertake surgery to rebuild in an attempt to walk again. The only reason I am doing it, is because I am only 34, and wish to return to catering. My registrar assures me most people in my situation decide not to follow on with my planned surgery, as at my stage pain is easily manageable, and father surgery will put me back to a life of severe pain and hard work for several months, before attempting to learn to walk again. As tempting as it is to take the easy way out here, I feel like I am too young to give up, and having been incredibly active for 32 years, depression is a big issue now I am unable to walk. If I were older, no way would I consider putting myself through the necessary steps to recover fully: or at least try.

[Pitbullmel]

Well I'm 36 7 surgery and now n9 hip at all so ya u should go though with it I'm still going though heeling  and still hole in my hip but I was told November 10 2017 and I have hard time go thought with it I have 4 kids from 3 years of age to 14 so It was hard to hear that from my doc they cut my bone down 7inch

[SunshineKay]

I've lived without a hip for 11+ years now.  I had 3replacements, 2infections, 8surgeries all due to getting hit head on in an auto accident.  After the last infection my doctor and I decided to go without a hip.  I can walk very short distances alone, but use a walker or crutches or a motorized scooter depending on the situation.  I have a pair of "Hope" crutches which are designed to help people with carpal tunnel problems and they help.  I have a lift in my van so I can take the scooter with me for shopping, state fair, etc. and I still drive a regular car.  It is my right hip that is involved.  I live alone in an apartment in a retirement community in the independent living section and get along fine.  Yes, I cannot walk, but it can still enjoy life!

[Pitbullmel]

Well I had 7 infection and 7 surgery it all started when I was 7 year old I was in a bike accadint and Broke my pelefet bone now I'm 36 year old and they put a new hip in steel lol it was good for 10 years and after that I had to go though all that pain wow it sucked s9 now they tell me my bone was infected and cut it down 7 inch and nit i feel like i can put wate on m6 left side at all so im have hard time with it put can i do but wish i could walk agian thank for reading this and good luck to u my friend

[SunshineKay]

I've lived without a hip for 11+ years now.  I had 3replacements, 2infections, 8surgeries all due to getting hit head on in an auto accident.  After the last infection my doctor and I decided to go without a hip.  I can walk very short distances alone, but use a walker or crutches or a motorized scooter depending on the situation.  I have a pair of "Hope" crutches which are designed to help people with carpal tunnel problems and they help.  I have a lift in my van so I can take the scooter with me for shopping, state fair, etc. and I still drive a regular car.  It is my right hip that is involved.  I live alone in an apartment in a retirement community in the independent living section and get along fine.  Yes, I cannot walk, but it can still enjoy life!

[carolanivey]

I once met a woman at a national park who was living without a hip. She could stand and transfer herself to her motorized chair to get around on paved trails and accessible buildings, but lots of walking was out of the question, at least at the time I met her. I think she could get around her house okay.

[ilerlily]

At the age of 80, my mother had to have the complete hip joint and femoral head removed.  She spent 3 months in rehab learning to use a walker and an elevated shoe as she learned to walk again.  Yes, we did bring her back to her home.  She has balance issues, but if she were younger and had a better memory for following instruction's, and making adjustments, she would be independent.  I hope this reassures you.

[TXlady1955]

I broke my hip a year ago and had a metal plate w/ 4 screws put in but they failed.  Due to my weight I was told to lose 100 lbs before a hip replacement can be done but 3 months ago it got infected and they removed a lot of diseased bone including my hip.  There will be no further operations.

How do you live without a hip joint?  Can one walk again?
TXlady1955

[lifeof3]

I am anxious to see how you are doing. My sister who is only 48 has gone through the same thing and is in a wheelchair and feels she will never walk again. What are her options?

[Pitbullmel]

Well sorry to say I'm 36 and If had 7 surgery and I won't walk ever so there no other way to say it but there no other way to do it sorry to hear that I'm going though the same thing too

[pebbles63]

Hello, I was sorry to read about your hip, I  have been told today that if my hip doesn't settle down they will have to remove it. Apparently there is a slim chance it will become secure again??  I've had three revisions, the last two within 12 months and now 6 months after I'm getting pain and the cup has loosened.  I've never heard of this and am very anxious about how I will cope afterwards.  I have rheumatoid arthritis so my joints aren't that good anyway so supporting myself on crutches for the rest of my days is is a very worrying thought.  How do you manage?? can you use crutches as well??  I look forward to hearing from you and thanks!

[Sallyboo326]

My husband is 52 and has cancer. One tumor infiltrated his hip and weakened the bone and consequently he fell and now they tell us there is no bone left to fix his hip.  We are fighting the cancer and doing radiation on the tumor in his hip and one in his back at the spine. This happened 10 days ago and he is still in tremendous pain. What are your limitations? How much mobility do you have?

[wanderer68]

i had my hip taken out last year.a bone keeps growing over the hip so my consultant has taken the hip out as last resort.he has told me i have to live with no hip for the rest of my life im only 42

[wanderer68]

i had my hip taken out last year.a bone keeps growing over the hip so my consultant has taken the hip out as last resort.he has told me i have to live with no hip for the rest of my life im only 42

[Pitbullmel]

Same I had infection in the bone they cut 7inch down my leg so I'll never walk again it hard I hear u and in pain 24 7 and don't take med for it will not do it

[txsilver]

Wow.  I have not heard of anyone having so many problems with a hip replacement and being told they may have to live without it.  Have you gotten a second opinion?  If not I would recommend that as a next step.  Please let us know what you find out.