Worried about infection

Hi Worried girl

I had similar concerns before my op. The surgeon went through all the risks really labouring the points, going though worst case scenarios. It very nearly put me off, but having spoken to others, checking out the surgeon on line and seeing his success rate I decided I had to go for it and haven't looked back. Like all things in life there are risks, it's just they aren't spelt out so specifically as your surgeon has to.

Good luck

Alan

Worried girl - I am an arthiritis patient on both leflunomide and metrotrextrate, both supress you immune system. and I have breezed regards infection two hip replacements.  I don't think the Dr's are trying to frighten you, but they have to tell you the chances are higher, they have been sued for less over the years, now they are very careful to half fighten you to death, and document that they have told you. Hip replacement does take away that grinding pain from a worn out hip joint, just wish somebody had listened to what I had to say when i was younger and done mine earlier. Right hip was from an accident I had in my 20's, and it was never right, always clicked and locked, and could never get my big toe past my heel on that side, had a normal stride on left side, and a funny little shortened hop on my right, years of physiotherapy, and one right hip replacement and for the first time in 35 years I could swing my leg in a natural into walking postion. Told afterwards by surgeons senior asst, that I had a patch of dead bone right inside my hip joint. dear girl you have come to the right place, lots and young people on this forum as well.

Hi Worriedgirl,

I understand you concerns but looking at it realistically you have a 95% or 94% chance of NOT getting an infection.  Surgeons are duty-bound to warn you of possible outcomes, however minimal the chances.  I'm sure everything will be fine and you need to go in with a positive approach.

Good luck hun xx

Oh dear worriedgirl129, you must be so scared having a having a THR especially at such a young age. The surgeon has to explain all of the complications that can happen with [u]any[/u] operation. I had mine done in 2007 (in my 60s a lot older than you) was told all the things that you have been told and it's a bit scary isn't it? I was lucky enough that Everything went well, I was back in work and driving after six weeks and the relief from all that pain was wonderful.I can only hope that everything goes as well for you as it did for me. Very kind regards and best wishes.

I had my rthr done end September & 2nd hip to be done end January. I've had chronic ulcers on my feet due to traumatic accident as a child. They get infected sometimes & my surgeons view was he would do my hip & not worry about the ulcers. I wouldn't let it stop you having your op for a minute. I just wish my 2nd hip could be brought forward. I'm 49 & suffered for years. So have it done pet. X

Dear worried girl , 

welcome to our warm hippies family !!!  you are definitely not alone -  therw will always be one who will respond , we have been there done that - or are about to .. just like you ... 

I hate the way they scare the bejesus out of us and emphasize all the things that can go wrong - I experienced that at pre-op presentation - good Lord - seemed that everything had an almost fatal outcome - at some point it sounded so ridiculous that I LOL - 

what kind of medication are you taking that might increase infection? 

do you have other health issues? 

could you go to a different surgeon? one that gives you  positive feedback ?

sending you angel blessings

big warm hug

renee

renee

 

Hi Worriedgirl29, I am 75 years old and take immunosuppressants as I have Myasthenia Gravis and had a RTHR on the 7th September 2015. I have a history of getting infections after an injury, my first operation date was cancelled because of an infection. I had no trouble at all from the operation or afterwards because, I am told, they pump you with antibiotics. Now at 12 weeks I am over the worst of the rehabilitation and glad I had it done. So my recommendation is stop worrying and get on with it. Derek

 

Thank you to everyone for all your comments. They really do mean a lot as its good to know I'm not alone. As much as my family are here for me, they don't truly understand what I'm going through.

I've had RA since I was 19 and this is what has caused the damage. I'm on methotrexate too as well as a weekly injection, all of this suppresses my immune system, which can make you more prone to infection.

I'm encouraged by your stories and feel like this page will become a little bit of a sanctuary for me.

Got a letter today saying my surgery will be within 12 weeks.

Look forward to chatting with you all in the coming weeks and months. X

Worried girl  - I am just about  to give myself my metrothextrate 35mg injection, swallowing tablets for me became a problem, Specialist could not understand why my response to MTX was getting worse than better, they tested how much I was taking up with a blood test the following day after my weekly dose, and I was only getting a fraction of the dosage of 35mg I was supposed to be getting. So even through I was a little needle phobic, specialist and GP together shamed me into agreeing to injection, 8 year olds giving themselves needles for insulin.  GP very kindly worked with me over a number of weeks teaching me very gently how to load needle, draw up MTX, and then prep and inject myself correctly. Now he said I can give him an injection any time, I can inject myself without even a bruise now, and he said technique better than some nurses he has worked with. Enough about me, remember to take your folic acid after your MTX, you are going to be a new girl in a few weeks, just like I was twice over, last THR in Feb this year.

Hello,

I would not wore about the chance of infection, they pump you full of antibiotics and have to tell you to protect themselves from getting sued if something bad would happen. I am 30 years old, had my left total hip done last November, and just did my right total hip five days ago. Take the chance it's worth it, my left hip feels amazing and due to our youth you will rehab faster. I was at a risk of infection to but have to take the chance to improve my life, figured if I didn't I would be in a wheel chair, and the most extreme worst case possibility with surgery would be to be in a wheel chair if something went wrong. It was the best decision ever, I can do so much more and just got my right side done so now hopefully my hips will be just about pain free when healed up.

Good luck

Worried girl - you are not going to know yourself, all that grinding pain will be gone, for me I had a little button I could press during the first night, for top up pain killer, as I needed it, nurses were amazed I had not used it at all, I told them I was in less pain 12 hours after surgery, than when I had walked?? in the door the previous morning. She joked with me, and said not for long wait to the physio's come, and made sure I had topped up the painkiller. For a few weeks after the surgery you are going to be very stiff and sore, depends how much trouble they have dis-locating your hip I think, in some ways the more worn out the better,  they keep your pain under control though, the nurses are very aware of just how sore you are, and most of them have witnessed a hip replacement, so they do know just how uncomrtable you are. You will learn in the hospital, and hopefully afterwards with a good physio, and if not, there are instuctions on a previous posting about hip replacement exercises, abosuluty essential you follow the precautions especailly and first few weeks, of not bending too much, no twisting, (planting your feet the rotating, its so natural, but you cannot do it for a number of weeks after THR) Ouchhhh, and possibility of dis-location, and I was told in no uncertain terms, you do not want to dis-locate, having an over the tiolet seat, believe me you do need it, and doing those exercises, I don't think is is the amount of pain you cause yourself, with the exercises, its just until you feel the pull, and repetition. lots of repetition. You also don't measure your progress by the day, but by the week. Its a marathon not a sprint. End result fantastic. by about 10 days you should be walking around the house with crutches, and even if you have a concrete path, out to the letter box, 15 days to the next neigbours letter box, and then you can build on that progress, a new letter box every couple of days, by about 12 weeks about a 1/2 mile or more, thats from my experience remember, yours could be better, or god forbid worse, we are all individuals, and you do need to remember that, you just need to listen to your own body, I'm sure with arthritis you are already an expert with that.