Having done a bone scan, and discussing the initial results, an infection at the tip of the implant is suspected. Has anyone had this and if so what can i expect to happen from here?
How long ago did you have your surgery....I have not had mine yet,but sorry to hear about your troubles...hopefully you will get some good feedback here!
I had my surgery October 2012 - I have suspicions of what may be in store, but some examples would have been nice to know, even if it isnt good news. Thanks for your reply though, most probably do not have this problem. Good luck with yours, I am sure it will be fine.
In my limited experience they may start you on heavy duty antibiotics and see if they can clear it if the infection seems to be in the early stages.
If it gets severe then I was told that they would remove the prosthesis for a minimum of 6 weeks, treat with anibiotics and if they could get rid of the infection they would put in a second prosthesis, probably cemented with antibiotic loaded cement, and monitor very carefully.
If they don't clear the infection to their satisfaction then they revert to the older operation of a Girdlestone which will leave you with a shortened leg and needing crutches for fairly limited mobility. But it should give you pain relief as it was the op they used before THR became reliable.
Hope that is not the case for you but you did ask. Unfortunately antibiotics work better when the foreign material isn't there anymore which is why they may have to take it out. It is a serious complication which is why they take so many precautions but even in the best centres it seems to happen in few patients - I was warned of this at consent.
Good luck and keep us informed.
By all means keep us updated....I think for some of us here you hear about someone and their set backs and sincerely hope that all ends well, Hope this happens for you, Patricia
Best of luck! My THR was 2 months ago and so far pretty good - except my hip tends to pop out of joint
i had a friend who had massive infection w his THR for a year but he is doing fine now! So stay strong and keep in touch.