Prosthetic joints have revolutionized the treatment scope of arthritic patients and patients who suffer from physical trauma. Implanting a prosthetic joint can help a patient regain full functionality of the joint. But a prosthetic joint, being a site of surgery, can get infected easily. At Post Transplant Infections, Hyderabad, we provide the best treatment for all such kinds of infections.
What Are Prosthetic Joints Infections?
At the site of any injury, the power of the natural immune system is less. It becomes more vulnerable to attack from germs and cause an infection. The site of surgery and the area surrounding the prosthetic joint takes some time to heal. During that time, if you suffer from any infection there, it is called prosthetic joint infection.
How Can You Know If Your Prosthetic Joint Is Getting Infected?
Infections in the prosthetic joint are more bacterial than viral. Fungal infections can complicate things even further. The most common signs of infection at the site of the surgical wound are:
- Fever
- Redness & swelling
- Excessive pain & itching
- Discharge of pus-like liquid
- Unusual smell
- Whiteness around the wound
- Any other abnormality.
However, if the infection is majorly inside, the symptoms can be mildly felt outside. In such cases, treatment is delayed and the infection can spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream. The internal infection can manifest in many different ways. Most common are excessive quantity of toxin in blood and urinary tract infections. You must stay alert regarding other infections like common cold, flu, dengue, etc. which may occur due to compromised immunity.
The risk of infection is higher if the patient is a diabetic, elderly, child or has a history of kidney diseases.
How Are Post-Transplant Infections Treated?
If the infection spreads beyond control, the prosthetic joint may need to be replaced or removed. That is why immediate and fast treatment for any infection is mandatory.
However, the course of treatment can only be determined after that type of germ has been identified. In general, an antimicrobial treatment starts without any delay. The nature of the medicine needs to be customized based on the actual condition of the infection.
The antibiotics can be topical, oral or intravenous. However, for certain types of infections and medicines, antibiotic resistance may become a problem. In that case, the treatment may take longer time and you may require a hospital stay.
If the infection seems to have damaged some soft tissue, a surgical debridement can be performed.
How Can You Prevent Prosthetic Joint Infections?
The only way to prevent such infections is following the recover regimen ritually. You must take all your medicines on time and as prescribed. You must comply with the recommended diet. But above all, you must keep the wound clean – change the dressing as advised and keep it dry and away from dirt.
In case, you feel any discomfort or observe any abnormality, seek medical attention actively.
Prosthetic Joint Infections Treatment
At Infectious Diseases Center, any infection is diagnosed and treated by an infection expert. The doctor is skilled at identifying any infected situation. After proper diagnosis, you can expect to receive the best efficient treatment at the clinic.