Husband has developed an infection and has had to have his titanium plate removed.he is back in hospital on antibiotics and no visiting as he tested positive for Covid after he went in.
I am so disheartened,this feels like a massive step back for him.does anyone have any experience of cranioplasty infection and the outcomes after.the drs are saying he will need reassessing to see if he gets back to baseline.
Oh no, sending you my best wishes and hoping for a good outcome. The hospital thought that my partner had an infection, he had his cranioplasty before Christmas, he was in for 5 weeks, but in the end they just reopened, took swabs and cleaned it out. I think they kept him in so long due to him having no communication. He is now back at the home, things are still grim here. Take care xx
Oh gosh 123Bereft; my heart goes out to you, sorry your partners communication hasn't improved. Any improvement on awareness xx
His awareness is ok, just no indication still of any understanding, are things headed in the right direction for you?
Still the same but hope 2022 gives kindness x
I wish the same for you xx
Hello pozza40, sorry to see this has occurred; I don't know , but I hope hospital caught infection quickly, just such ashame he caught covid ontop of everything aswell and can only hope professionals involved are active in treatment and with infection control.
Thinking of you and children at this distressing time x
Oh noooo I feel for you my son goes in for his cranioplasty this month, and this is what I dread happening, I really hope he's better quickly big hugs
Hi there I'm very sorry to hear this about your husband. Unfortunately we have experienced this with my sister in law. Don't want to upset you but it happened 3 times to her over the course of maybe 4 years! First time it happened it was actually her own skull that was returned but unfortunately her body rejected it. She then had to wait a period of one year before they even considered replacing with plates. (To be 100% positive infection had cleared).
Please remember that was her journey & not your husband's. As we are often told, "Every brain injury is different".
My husband also went through this in 2020, after a viscous unprovoked attack. This time the surgeon placed the skull into his abdomen and he was really struggling without the skull in place. His brain actually shifted causing him to fall continuously therefore the decision was made to replace skull within 12 weeks of the original craniotomy.
He has been very lucky and had no problem with return of skull but has lost all speech and still has some brain damage affecting his every day life including seizures. Not sure if he will ever be able to return to work n certainly no driving. He is 53 years old and going crazy in the house as he has always worked extremely hard for our family.
This has really turned our world upside down but we are very lucky to still have him with us as it was touch and go for quite a while. He still receives speech therapy twice a week and we just hope and pray he gets some speech back.
This happened to my sister in law 15 years ago so the hospital/surgeons have improved over the years and I really do hope this only happens to your husband once.
Thinking of you and your family. Lots of love and fingers crossed your husband has a speedy recovery. Xx
Thanks so much for all the replies, I know all our journeys are different but I do get comfort from knowing others get how I feel. Our family has been turned upside down by what’s happened to my husband.nearly 2 years since his initial operation and he still can’t sit up unaided,physios have concluded that they are going to stop trying to get him to stand. He can talk and swallow most foods,but his personality is different.Our children really struggle with this,and I can see them gradually drift away from him,because he just doesn’t interact with them.
Sorry,I’m just feeling sorry for myself today.
You let it out. Same for us nearing 2years and my husband is different. There is no ongoing support for children it's just me trying to keep their routine and structure too. Our son 16 now and our daughter 4 this week. My husband said last week it was my parenting skills reason kids way they are; he lacks any sympathy or empathy of what situation I was faced with and continue to face with his changes and irresponsible words because he doesn't remember so nothing happened, when I remind him the facts he becomes verbally abusive and looks at me like he hates me. I shouldn't think this; but times he gets me so upset I rather him physical disabled with good cognitive ability than hidden disability. Sorry if this upsets anyone, but the constant turmoil with no let up in near 2years has taken its toll now and I'm aware not even half way reaching some healing. I hope things improve in 2022 pozza40, its soul destroying I've now lost ability to smile naturally with this constant sadness. X
Bless you, sending my very best, I have followed you and Pozza from the very start of my journey. I don't know if I should feel grateful that my partner is in a care home with no plans for him to come home.
Hi pozza40. Firstly please don’t apologise for feeling down today - unfortunately some of our family’s journeys can be very hard to deal with both physically and emotionally. We are all doing and giving our best and some days that can be overwhelming. Your children maybe struggling with their own emotions - there is no right or wrong way to deal with these but given time hopefully they will find their way back to reconnecting/accepting their different but fundamentally same dad.
In our own experience having to accept the reality of our son being severely disabled (16+ months post brain injury) is devastating. In the earlier stages we had a lot of hope for some improvements- not that we have given up trying to think positively for the future.
Like you this site gives us comfort, hope, information and guidance from people who really do understand. We can all virtually hold each other’s hand and keep on going. Take care Nanapal x
My husband initially developed a haemotoma under his plate 6 weeks post cranioplasty which they managed to drain out without having to remove the plate. 2 weeks later he developed an infection and had to get his titanium plate removed on the same day when he was scheduled to have eye surgery (he also developed Terson’s syndrome post SAH). He was in hospital for a few weeks and was sent home with a PICC line and just finished his 6 week course of antibiotics and is doing well so far and they’ve said to keep a close eye for the next few weeks. We have a telephone appointment tomorrow with his neurosurgeon to discuss the next steps.
I completely understand how you feel, feels like one step forward and two steps back and I already feel nervous about having the plate reinserted after all that’s happened. I hope your husband recovers quickly
The drs have said it’s possible he may be sent home with a PICC line for the remainder of his antibiotics, and they will not be looking to replace the plate for at least 6 months. I can’t even think about that yet, I keep telling myself,one hurdle at a time.
I hope your appointment with the neurosurgeon goes well and gives you some reassurance.take care
Hi, I am so sorry to hear this. My son had an infection July 2020 and they had to remove his plate. He was in hospital for 3 months. He is still waiting for his cranioplasty. He is still non verbal but reacts to us and his left arm is very strong. We have him at home as I could not bare to have him in care home and not be able to see him. He is making little progress every day. But like everyone is saying… every TBI is different. Wish you all the best and be strong and be positive xx
Hi there I had this all my life I was born with it so I didn't know much about what happen with swelling or anything all I know is thst I went twice to hospital to do work on my head, I had 6 put in mine but I had surgical Steel as its the best one as nothing cause it to swell or infect all I have to do is be careful about my soft spot still it's but I know but am 28 now am fine so I suggest you go for the steel ones next time
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