You should know about infection after a joint replacement- Dr. Ankur Kumar
One of the most frequently asked question to a joint replacement surgeon is whether an individual is old or young enough for joint replacement surgery. According to the best joint replacement surgeon in PCMC, Pune, there is no exact age at which a person can undergo joint replacement surgery safely.
Many patients who keep a joint replacement want to know how to take the best recovery and prevent infection. Infections after joint replacement surgery are rare. They occur in about 1 out of every 100 people who have a joint replacement.
Infection after joint replacement surgery can be a serious complication. Treating an infection can include numerous surgeries that can keep you out of activity for a while.
Who Is at Risk From Infection After Joint Replacement Surgery?
The seven most significant risk factors for infection are:
- Obesity
- History of prior infections
- Poorly managed diabetes
- Smoking
- Insufficient nutrition
- Kidney or liver disorder
- Scar tissue from prior surgery
- Diabetes mellitus
These are avoidable risk factors. Always save in mind a beneficial lifestyle can be one of the best methods to prevent an infection.
How Does an Infection Occur?
Infections normally occur because of bacteria that live on around us. All of us have bacteria that live on our skin, in our noses, and in our intestines. During surgery, we cleanse the skin and keep a clean environment around the surgical site to clear bacteria from the site. Patients also obtain antibiotics immediately before, and for 24 hours after surgery. Yet, bacteria can see their way in through a surgical incision. Also, bacteria can get to a surgical site via the bloodstream. As such, infections can happen soon after surgery, but can also occur days, weeks, months, years, and even decades after joint replacement.
Infections can occur either in the damage or deep inside where the artificial joints are set. Infections may develop during the clinic stay or after you get home. Joint replacement infections can occur even after multiple years after the surgery
Signs and symptoms of infection after joint replacement surgery:
There are certain signs and symptoms that help determine an infection after joint replacement.
- Increased pain in a previously well-functioning joint
- Swelling around the joint
- chills
- Warmth and redness around the wound
- Wound drainage
- Fatigue
- Fevers, and night sweats
- pain that gets worse over a month
- foul smells
If you have any signs or symptoms of an infection, contact Dr. Ankur Kumar. He is the best joint replacement surgeon in PCMC, Pune.
Easy Methods to Prevent Infection after Joint Replacement Surgery:
The best method to prevent the painful experience of infection is to control the infection from happening in the first place. Prevention of infection elements contains specific activities by both the surgeon and the patient. If you are prepared for joint replacement surgery, given below are 4 ways in which joint replacement infection risks are reduced.
- Weight Management: It is essential for the patient to keep a healthy weight. It has been observed that maintaining a healthy weight or having a BMI of any value between 35 and 40 kg/sq.m.
- Blood Sugar: In case the patient is a diabetic, it is necessary to control their blood sugar level before and after the surgery. It is essential to get the HbA1c test done prior to surgery. Those who hold an HbA1c value of more than 7 are at a greater chance of getting an infection. The surgery should be postponed until the HbA1c level is well under control.
- Antibiotics: The patient is given antibiotics to control infection within an hour of the start of the surgery in the operative room itself. After antibiotics are given once every 24 hours after the operation.
- Smoking: It is good to give up smoking before surgery. Nicotine users are seen to develop issues that delay the healing of the injuries after the operation. If the injuries take longer to heal, there are greater possibilities for infections to set in. Those who quit smoking before the surgery have a lower risk of infection.
Conclusion::
The average risk of infection after a joint replacement is between 1-2%. Great care is necessary to prevent infection before, during, and after surgery. As a joint replacement recipient, you should be on the lookout for signs of an infection. The patient has to bear ownership of their health to prevent any infection in the replaced joint. Any difference in the function of your replacement should initiate a call to the best joint replacement surgeon for further advice. Earlier treatment can help to preserve your joint replacement. It is also important that the patient asks the surgeon about the steps the clinic takes to prevent infections. Get in touch with our best joint replacement surgeon in PCMC, Pune. Contact Dr. Ankur Kumar to know more about your joint replacement journey.
