Richard Haynes PTA/CPT - 5/11/2009

Question
My 95 year old grandfather had hip replacement earlier this year. Now, he went into the hospital all swollen, and the doctor told him either he gets an operation removing much of his insides which are infected, or just get morphine for the pain, but that's the end. He opted for the second choice. His whoe family sits vigil for him now. Is this really the end? Is there any hope of the infection reversing?

Answer
Ross,

If the infection is in the hip or its the components themselves then an IV antibiotic is generally the course of action.

There are times when the hip prosthesis has to be removed and washed out with antibiotics then once the blood tests reveal that the infection has cleared new components are replaced.

That's a simplistic answer to the question.  For the most part that  does not mean "the end"

However with your grandfather 95 if there are other medical complications going on etc... causing the swelling of internal organs then only can the MDs really give you further info.

I run across joint infections which cause the  immediate area to be affected if caught early enough.

You will have to get further information from the doctor handling the case as there may be other factors involved here.

Good Luck
Richard Haynes
Punta Gorda, Florida.