I am currently in hospital having undergone the first stage of a 2-stage total knee replacement on this past Thursday. Cultures (both bone and tissue) were taken and nothing has grown as of yet. We're 4 days out. The infectious medicine doctor is just saying it looks like she will treat me with a broad-spectrum antibiotic because they see nothing and if something is sub-acute it will address it.
My brother told me that the surgeon said he will be performing an knee fusion, bu that is confusing to me since there is no indication of infection. I would hope that since things did not turn out to be as he thought (infection) he will reconsider. I am a relatively young woman with lots of living yet and would not be able to drive, sit in a movie theatre or do many ordinary things with a fusion.
Please inform me of anything that might come to mind as to why he would do so without infection present.
Hello Debra and all the other repliers. I had an athrodesis and osteotomyof my left hip in 1972, aged 17, as a result of perthies disease at the age of 15. 2 years of hospital including 9 months in a hip spiker plaster failed to dent my spirits and I was able to pass enough o levels in hospital to start an apprenticeship, and as a bonus my surgeons assistant was then newly qualified JPR Williams, the then Welsh fullback and a hero. Having been now denied the ability to run and play most sports I endevoured to find something new. Sailing and skateboarding led me to a life as a proffesional windsurfer for 3 years before continuing on into a new carrer as in engineering. Married with 4 children, a mortgaged house and a small boat and finally a Harley Davidson complete my mid life crisis.
My point being that like yourself and all the other correspondants I have tried to make the most of my life. Now however, just like the others, the long term effects of the athrodesis are taking its toll.
People, inluding my doctor, just don't understand when I say "my back has gone again" it doesn' t just mean I have backache. They don't understand that every step I take and have to swing my back is more than just a pain, its agony. They don't know that putting on my socks on reduces me toa sweating wreck, and that just going sitting on the toilet needs planning and reduces me to tears.
In desperation once I insisted on seeing an ortheopedic consultant who then asked me if I would present myself to his new intake of student Drs as they would never have seen anyone my age, now 58, with such a condition. Wrong choice. I was reduced to the status of Freak show ecxhibit and have never been back. The problem is that I don't consider myself disabled and I have worked hard to make sure others don't see me like that either. I have never asked for help or encouraged pity, but I no longerbother taking pain killers as they don't work, I just live with with the daily pain and try my best to live with it. Now though as time goes on the only person who really knows how I feel is my wife of 30 years. Other than that, I really thought I was the only person in the world with this condition until I read this post.
I would welcome a conversation with other people with this condition who can really appreciate the predicament we are all in
I was hit by a car when I was pre-pubescent aged 12. I am 61 now, and had my left hip fused since I was 13 yrs. old after necrosis. I have had knee arthroscopies for torn meniscus from L hip rotation and arthritis in my late 40's, chronic R hip Bursitis since I was 50, and most recently lumbar spine DDD / scoliosis and arthritis, and a R foot neuroma that no one will operate on. The L hip fusion contributed to all these problems. However, my L hip no longer has pain and, I consider myself "healthy". I discovered water aerobics, swimming and water therapy with occassional massages about 8 years ago to be the most benificial pain control. Medications never worked and exercise does! Exercise also keeps my balance and mobility better than most expect. I wear a 3 inch lift on my L shoe and that has helped my R hip pain somewhat, and absolutely helped my back pain. But can cause falls... ( I found out I developed Osteoporosis in the L hip and L pelvis and my L leg became 3 inches shorter than it was!).
Distance walking is still not desireable to me, but not impossible. I work in the medical profession and remain active.
My L hip was fused in 1968, and as I age, I too have multiple aches and pains. Some worse than others. (Lazer surgery for DDD and osteoarthritis of the spine is helpful.) Each new problem I have had has presented me with challenges other people don't have. (ie)Toilet use has been very difficult for me with right shoulder surgery, then fractured ribs, then fractured pelvis... Pelvis fracture was the worst though. The hopital I went to wanted to discharge me to home from the ER, but when I tried to walk, I displaced the pelvis fracture with each left step and it made a terrible and painful pop. Pelvic fx. for non-fused hip people is easy... NOT us! It took me 6 weeks to recover. But all these things do pass, and I also do not consider myself handicapped.
I too was used as a "guess what this is" exhibit for medical residents, but since I am an advanced practice nurse they were more amazed than insulting.
Chronic pain is a terrible thing, and I really don't have it anymore. I still have weather forcasting aches, bursitis flares...My relief /control is from occassional R hip cortisone shots, daily water exercise and occassional Ibuprofen and occ. massage.
I like the support of this group too!
I had no idea that so many people have had this problem. When I was about 5 they discovered I had TB (disintegration) of the right hip. My mother found a doctor who would do surgery on me and a full fusion of the hip. At the time I was told that this was experimental and had any visiting doctor inspect me and how I walked but you become used to that. I always said that youth is resilient. Anyhow... my hip was fused and I spent 16-18 months confided to a children's hospital in a full body cast. I had a special cart made where I would brace myself up to do things on my stomach. At 13? I had a block done on my left knee to slow down the growth. I ended up with about a 3/4" difference in leg length, after an accident it is now 2 1/4th inch difference. As with many of you......... I never considered myself handicapped and even did things like riding horseback. Needless to say.... my doctor would have had a stroke if he had known that I did that. I was always warned not to fall because if the fusion was ever broken it could never be repaired. Over the years I did well with it but did normally had minor low back pain. I probably did everything that I shouldn't have done as I did wear high heals most of the time. I went though a period where I had several falls, and two minor car accidents that probably wouldn't have been a problem for anyone else but my body doesn't bend the way it was made to. Since then I am having much more pain. One result of the fused hip though is it that the fused hip does put more use onto other parts of the body. I have trouble with both of my knees and find that most all of my weight is now carried by my left leg. I also have trouble with my feet and back. At this point a lot of the problem is long hard use as I am 70 years old. It is somewhat of a round Robin effect. The hip does effect the back though. At one point I had a doctor tell me........ "well didn't they tell you that it (the spine) would eventually disintegrate?"................. NO! Now I find that I have a lot of pain but it is hard at this point to tell which the culprit is. I have had people mention that I should look into having a hip replacement......... however that is before they really look into what has been done. There is nothing to replace as I have a mass for a hip........no joints to replace. Plus the muscles are very weak from lack of use. So at this point........... any doctor who thinks it should be done................ needs to go back to school. It has been interesting to read of how others have coped. I do agree that water therapy is one of the very best things that you can do. I wish each of you good luck and stay positive as it does help.
I am nearly 52 years old. My hip has been fused since I was about 5. I had a revision on it when I was 15 because of growth issues. Lower back pain (probably SI joint) is my biggest problem. I have a knowledgeable physical therapist who is helping me. Doctors do not want to touch me. They will not even discuss hip replacement because I a too young and active. I have heard this my entire adult life. My knees and neck (from a head thrust that counter balances my hip) have also taken a beating. Staying active is the best thing for me. I do not horseback ride or ski anymore as I did in my youth but I do walk regularly. Itis nice to know there are others out there like me.
Yes, I no longer have a gluteas mediusmuscle or nerves on the left. I have been told if I had a hip replacement it would be flacid. Which would make me non-ambulatory.
I agree it is nice to know so many of us have fused hips! I always feel like I am the only one in Upstate NY. I had the same revision when I was 17! Spica cast for 4 months then too! Be careful with anyone who says do a hip replacement. Insist on an EMG test first. Because, atrophy or muscle and nerve loss of hip muscles on the fused hip are common. If you don't have muscle or nerve to support the bending hip, you will be in a wheelchair with a "flacid" hip.
Hi Debra57
I like you was diagnosed with Osteomyelitis in my left hip at the age of 13 years in 1961. I almost died because of it. I was in hospital for a total os 9 months, it left me with a shortening of the leg therefor gave me a very noticeable limp.I had a Bosworth Spline inserted.
At the age of 23 years while in Hong Kong (my husband was in the armforces) I was in considerable pain so it was decided that an Arthodesis would be carried out. I was in hospital for 6 months with a plaster case from just above my left knee and up covering my chest.
I coped pretty well with the fused hip over the years giving birth to 2 children with a little difficulty.
At the age of 40 years I was diagnosed with Rheumatiod Arthritis which is all over my body. Since then I have been in considerable pain I have been lucky to be put on Biologic drugs which have helped. Unfortunatley the Arthritis has damaged my knee joints last year I had a Total replacement on my left knee the surgeon found it difficult to do and had never operated on someone with a fused hip before. I am pleased to say to date I am almost pain free with it. The only draw back is I can not twist the knee round now to get trousers and pants on I only have 60 dregee bend.
I am on the waiting list (should be about 12 weeks ) to have the right knee done I am worried as this leg has done a lot of extra work on behalf of my left leg, like
putting more weiight on it to get up from chairs, toilet seat etc
I also have trouble with the left ankle due to the Arthritis this has almost fused itself.
Like many others I have trouble with back pain the doctors are saying this is due to bad posture due to the fused hip.
No-one seems to understand what its like to have a fused hip I know I have coped with it over the years you learn to adapt, but i feel fustrated trying to explain to the medical profession that I cant do certain things
I'm glad I have found with site as like others I thought I was the only one to have had this operation.
I live in the UK
Hi Debra, I'm a 27 year old healthy male. I underwent a hip fusion when I was 13 years old after breaking it (which was extremely rare given my age and good health).
I live a very active lifestyle as an adult. I do experience low back pain and discomfort from being so active.
I am looking to get a total hip replacement to regain mobility and avoid damaging other parts of my body. I was curious to know if anyone out there had a conversion from fusion to replacement.
Thanks
Brandon
hi Brandon, I lost my hip to osteomilitis and under a year old. Had a hip replacement, 1 year ago, due to increasing difficulty with sitting and trapped nerve pain. The first attempt failed, my acetabulum fractured on the operating table and they were unable to secure hip. 3 months later, had an ice cream cone hip replacement and although it has held, have VERY little movement, and still on 2 crutches and in pain, physios seemed mistified as how to help. Wish I HAD NOT HAD PROCEDURE as am in constant pain, also think i have permanent nerve damage. You might fare better since, your hip had worked for 13 years, so maybe there is more muscle there. If you do go for procedure, insist on a bone density test of acetabulum ( I did not get this test), so they can tell if the acetabulum is strong enough to take joint. PROCEED with EXTREME caution. It is a very tough operation to recover from and rehabilitation is a long, longely road. If you have any further questions, would be happy to help. All the best. Debra
Greetings Debra
Thank you for sharing. I truly appreciaye it. I will be sure to take the necessary steps in making an informed decision.
Greetings. My name is Brandon. I'm a healthy and active male. I had a hip fusion procedure done when I was 13. I'm considering getting a conversion procedure to a hip replacement to regain mobility and prevent further damage to any other parts of my body due to hip immobility.
How was hour journey from fusion to mobility? Please share.
Thank you.
Is it possible to have a conversion done?
I fell when I was 11 and dislocated my right hip and they were unable to slip the joint back into place during surgery and I ended up having another surgery a week later where they cut pieces of my hip bone off to make it fit and secured it with pins which worked for a few months but at a check up appointment they realised that my hip bone was actually dieing due to loss of blood when I first fell. I was then told I needed a hip replacement but was to young so they done a bone fusion instead where they removed they ball of my hip completely and fused my thigh bone and pelvic bone together. I was told this was only a temporary solution until I was old enough for a replacement and that it would eliminate all the pain I was in. Im now 24 and the pain never went away at all and I also ended up with other problems which cause pain such a curve in my spine. At my last check up I was told that a replacement would not b possible now as the bone fusion worked so well that they would have to break bones in order to do it and also that the muscles around my hip wouldnt work after so long. Im devastated as I was always told I would get my mobility back and have a better life once I had the replacement. This was a new consultant that told me this who I had never met before and had never been apart of any of my surgeries.
Any advice would b greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Hi I'm 48
And I have a fixed hip I smashed my left leg up in a horrific motorcycle accident when I was 16 and spent 6 months in hospital I never wanted s fixed hip but that was all that was available.
That was 32 years ago I find myself very lucky I have spent 20 years plastering and have hobbies like jet sking as well.
My only problem is I suffer Back pain and I have to take things easier now.
I would love to have a hip replacement but I fear I'm opening a can of worms by undergoing that operation.
Up till now I've led a full and active life
Anthony
Hi, Do not despair, I am 70 years of age 52 year ago I had my hip fixed and fortunatley had no further pain or problems with a normal job and raising a family and pretty active DIY etc. and fortunately the only annoying problem was having to have one leg of 1 1/5 ins shorter than the other. About six years ago I started to have extreme back pain for four years I tried all the usual treatments pills and physio, and I was advised this was due to my fixed hip. So two years ago I sought out a surgeon who could help, I was very lucky I found a surgeon who said he would remove the pin and replace with a replacement hip joint, two years ago I had the operation and I now have no pain in my back, and now able to sit properly and my legs are the same length, presently the only drawback is that due to certain hip muscles having to be removed due to 40 years of wastage I have to walk with a stick but with no pain it was worth it
Hi Debra .. I actually dont believe it. There was me thinking I was the only one on the planet who has had a 2 stage arthrodesis (1976). After a bad motorcycle accident I ended up with this hip that nobody today grasps or understands.
When I say my hip is fused .. people say "Oh you've had your hip replaced" and go onto tell you about their auntie who has had her hip replaced " just like you".
As everyone who has posted on this link knows, the vast majority of medical professionals dont understand the limitations and problems a fused hip gives.
Earlier this year I had to have a partial knee replacent after having had 25+ years of pain. The senior physio told me that" I didn't understand and that there was a certain amount of movement in my fused hip and she would soon have me on the excersice bike" ! ( She had a group of 1st year physios with her). I then had to do a drawing explaining how any 2 items fixed together with 2 pins wont move !
The knee replacement has been amazing .. I walked 2 miles 2 days after I had it done. Have'nt done that in 25 years. Being without the knawing pain is highly recommended.
Forever I have had the what appear to be similar ailments suffered by most of you. Pain in the lower back, the good hip,the knee the elbows etc .. as well as the shoe raise. Trying to sit where you are out of the way, so your leg sticking out, does'nt trip anyone up. Hitting your head on the car door frame because you dont bend. Tripping over nothing has been a favourite, not to mention shouting at your socks ... I'm sure we have all been there.
Besides that I have been fairly active in the building industry, 30 years of windsurfing and currently have 2 allotments.
Nearing 60 I feel that most of my joints have taken a beating now and I have relished the first long break since my accident in '74'. Having had a year off work I relly feel the benefit of not struggling to do tasks that are part of everyday working life.
It seems so strange to have found this post as it appears there are others out there on parallel tracks to me, our paths have never crossed. But it is very comforting to suddenly realise that there is someone who actually understands.
Perhaps we could have a reunion and we can all stick our legs out together !
Debra,
I had undiagnosed Avascular necrosis starting at the age of 12 which led me to have a right hip fusion at the age of 16. My body rejected the fusion: basically meaning that it causes me severe pain.
I'm 27 now and have had this fusion for almost 12 years and have hated it for 12 years.
But, I have come to terms with it.
I think the most frustrating part is doctors telling me that I need to work on range of motion exercises and that will help all of the pain. People always assume I have had a hip replacement and that I should be fine. They don't realize how detrimental it can be, especially to someone younger, to not have a mobile hip.
I saw a doctor in Maine who had a fused hip when she was younger, I think you can find her if you look her up. She's a sports therapist and I met with her when I had questions about my fusion. She is very good and is willing to answer questions about living with a fusion and what to do about complications.
Hey Mandy, I too had my hip fused at around age 13. I'm now 27 and really physically active. Swimming, boxing, weights lifting.
As of lately I've been experiencing some low back pain.
I wanted to know if there was anything in particular that you do to ease the back pain, stretch or anything of that nature??
Thanks
Brandon,
I find that it helps a lot if I lay flat on my back on the floor (hip at the nescessary angle forward) and just breathe and let it all go back into place.
One exercise the doctors at Boston Childrens gave me was to lay on my back and try to make my belly button touch my spine. Just suck it in very slowly, stretching all of those muscles. It sounds silly, but it helps.
I also lay on my back and stomach on a yoga ball to stretch out those muscles.
I'd totally recommend doing crunches or any type of abdomen/back strengthening exercises as it directly effects your hip.
I have been experimenting for years with exercises to do and have found that it depends on the amount of pain you are in that day. But just try.