Hip done !

[Viv54]

Hi everyone , just had my second Hip done all went well until i came home, my scar started to bleed and had to go back to A and E for them to take a look.There is no infection but after 10 days of being home under the District nurse its still going !its very sore and im finding it hard to get comfortable. Last year i had problems with my scar. Has anyone else had this problem ? I thought i had heard it takes longer to heal after an op on Pred ? Would be interested to know . Many thanks Viv.

[SnazzyD]

It can happen if a collection of blood formed somewhere and it finds a way out. Is it fresh blood or old quite dark blood?

[Viv54 in reply to SnazzyD]

Hi, thanks for replying its fresh watery blood .It's is making its way out of the scar so the nurses tell me.When they take the dressing off every day to change it,it runs down my leg.Sorry to be so graphic .! I had my operation on the 15th of October.The pains gone but now in in awful pain because they cannot get the wound to dry.It's so sore.I had a problem last year when they did my first one but nowhere near as bad as this.Just wondering if it's the pred doing it, I'm on 7.5 mgs .

[SnazzyD in reply to Viv54]

More graphic the better as far as I’m concerned! So it is a matter of degree. A bit of serous or bloody seeping is quite normal. However, a large and continuous amount this long post operatively is not normal. It can happen that a large collection of blood, serum or both can become trapped inside and it leaks out. While out is better than in it does mean there is a track through your tissues. The question that should be asked, in my opinion, is why is this happening?

7.5mg Pred is not a huge amount in this scenario though there is still some effect. However , whilst it my have been loitering on the corner when the crime was committed, the real culprit needs to be found.

So, why did they say there was no infection? 5-10 days was often the peak for would infections when they did occur when I was practicing. This should be seriously considered. Where is the pain coming from exactly, the skin or deeper?

There could also be an issue with the prosthesis itself or other complication of the procedure.

Have the nurses flagged this up with the GP? Or if you have a contact line with the hospital department, it would be worth using.

[Viv54 in reply to SnazzyD]

Thanks for replying , I should have said I went to the A and E they checked it out , there was no infection.They did blood tests which were all clear. They sent in the district nurses.After I wrote my post this morning it seems to be improving slightly, very sore on the edges but weeping less .They are coming in everyday until it stops.So nice today as they changed the dressing to a padded one .Bliss I can sit down in slightly more comfort !Thanks again for your knowledge.

[SnazzyD in reply to Viv54]

How long ago was the A&E trip? I was wondering what checks they did to rule out infection. Infections don’t necessarily show up on blood tests.

Skin hates exudate and tends to become sore and irritate. Are the nurses using a skin barrier product for this very purpose to protect it?

[Viv54 in reply to SnazzyD]

Sorry I missed this post, yes they are and later in the day it seems to be stopping , the nurse also padded it more so I am more comfortable.I just really need to be able to sleep as it's been hard to get into a position that let's me sleep, fingers crossed it will be tonight.Thanks once again for your help .

[Sillydogsmum in reply to SnazzyD]

If watery bloody fluid can find a way out, then naughty little bugs can find a way in, especially since you are immunosuppressed due to your Pred. This is not at all desirable given the ironmongery you have in. You should be seen or directly advised by your operating team asap, did they not give you a contact number?

[Viv54 in reply to Sillydogsmum]

Yes I went to A and E to get it checked, had blood tests etc all clear .Then the district nurses took over they have been coming every day to dress the wound, today is the first time it seems to be stopping.It seems as I have finished the blood thining injections it has slowed down .Thank you for taking the time to answer .

[Nextoneplease in reply to Viv54]

Hi Viv 😊

I’m sorry to hear about this problem. I agree with SnazzyD, this seems to have gone on too long, and the possibility of infection should be considered by a doctor ( your GP or the hospital team, whoever you have access to). It may well be fine and just taking a while to heal, but I wouldn’t risk it personally - I think you need a medical opinion.

PS I’m not nor ever have been a nurse but graphic is fine by me too!

All the best xx

[Viv54 in reply to Nextoneplease]

Thank you , yes it's been checked out at A and E no infection which is great but sore and frustrating as I was doing so well. They told me to take it easy on the exercises and rest abit more .District nurses coming in everyday until it stops.Thanks once again .

[tangocharlie]

Wounds do take much longer to heal when you're on Pred but yours defo needs checking out as others have said.

[Viv54 in reply to tangocharlie]

Sorry I think I just replied to myself , yes the district nurses are keeping a close eye on it .I thought it may be the pred .

[Viv54]

Thanks , the district nurses are keeping a close eye on it . I had a feeling it was the Pred.

[tangocharlie]

Forgot to say all the best, the worst is over now and you'll soon be back on your feet. I've had a few problems with slow wound healing, once a year ot so ago when I gashed my leg and another when I had my gallbladder out a few years ago. I wanted to have some cosmetic surgery (brast reduction) a few years ago buthte surgeon said he woulnd't touch me because a) my skin was too thin and b) wounds wouldn't heal well but to come back if I ever got to low steroids

[Viv54 in reply to tangocharlie]

Thanks , feel more positive now the nurse has been and padded it , lovely to be able to sit without as much pain , as for my hip I'm rearing to go .😊

[tangocharlie in reply to Viv54]

If I'd had steristrips holding the wound together tighter instead of just a plaster it would have healed quicker. Peope I now who have had hips done say the key thng is to do the exercises they tell you to do. My yoga teacher had both hips done and is now back dancing and doing yoga as thogh nothing happened

[Viv54 in reply to tangocharlie]

Yes it's not really gaping anywhere and I'm doing the exercises, I feel better after writing this post this morning! Typical thanks once again .

[piglette]

The same thing happened to me on my first hip replacement. I woke up one morning to find my bed looked like a murder had taken place! It was a Saturday so it was virtually impossible to get hold of the District Nurse, but one came out thankfully. I don’t remember it being particularly painful though, it just made an awful mess. I had dissolvable stitches.

[Viv54 in reply to piglette]

Snap., the district nurses are coming every day now, fingers crossed im on the mend .Thanks for your reply .

[piglette in reply to Viv54]

I am sure it will now just get better and better!

[Viv54 in reply to piglette]

😊

[Mfaepink1973]

I had an operation on my big toe in January and I got an infection in it and the wound took ages to heal. I’m sure it’s because I am on steroids as I’ve always healed really quickly prior to getting PMR

[Viv54 in reply to Mfaepink1973]

Yes i agree, i have always been a fast healer until now. Thanks for your reply .