A healed fracture allows for hardware removal, which eliminates plate and screws from the infection equation. Our treatment goals were to suppress infection and encourage fracture healing. Our patient’s late infection developed into osteomyelitis, which is very challenging to eradicate. Postoperative infection after hip fracture surgery occurs in 2.1% patients and in 1.35% of patients undergoing fixation, resulting in extensive treatments and costs. At the most recent follow-up in September 2022, the patient was ambulating with a cane and actively engaging in physical therapy.įigure 6: Final X-rays reveal healed right proximal femur. Postoperatively, he slowly returned to function and showed no further evidence of infection (Fig. 4, 5), at which point he underwent repeat debridement and hardware removal.įigure 4: X-rays reveal interval healing of the right hip.įigure 5: A CT scan reveals fluid collection and interval fracture healing. A CT scan showed a fluid collection and a healed fracture (Figs. Serial X-rays showed continued fracture healing until March 2022, when the patient returned to the ED with swelling and erythema. He was discharged 9 days after the last of 3 debridement procedures. A CT scan revealed a large fluid collection, and again the patient returned to the operating room for serial debridement and placement of non-biodegradable antibiotic beads. The patient returned 3 weeks later with persistent pain and swelling in the right thigh. Postoperatively, he was maintained on antibiotics and observed clinically and was discharged after 5 days.įigure 2: X-rays of the right hip at presentation the patient had erythema and drainage from the previous surgical incision.įigure 3: X-rays after removal of the intramedullary nail show antibiotic beads and fracture fixation. Of note, the patient had been maintained on dual antibiotic therapy for 8 weeks prior. Deep cultures taken at this time revealed no bacterial growth. 2) the patient underwent open debridement, hardware removal, fracture stabilization, and antibiotic bead placement (Fig. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a right intertrochanteric fracture nonunion with well-circumscribed fluid collection (Fig. In July 2021, he presented to the emergency department (ED) with persistent complaints of pain in the right hip and a sinus of draining purulence. He was ultimately discharged from that hospital and had follow-up with the primary surgeon.įigure 1: Plain X-ray of the right hip, the first taken after initial debridement.įor the next year, the patient completed multiple rounds of antibiotics and underwent several more surgeries. On postoperative day 1, against medical advice, the patient sought evaluation at another hospital. His postoperative course was complicated by infection requiring operative debridement 2 months later. He underwent operative fixation at another hospital shortly after injury (Fig. He was overweight (body mass index of 26.55) and his prior medical history included asthma requiring intubation, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, vertebral osteomyelitis/epidural abscess, and pulmonary embolus. For additional information visit Linking to and Using Content from MedlinePlus.From Grand Rounds from HSS: Management of Complex Cases | Volume 12, Issue 1 Case ReportĪ 62-year-old man sustained a ground-level fall resulting in a right intertrochanteric femur fracture in June 2020. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited without authorization. Links to other sites are provided for information only - they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy editorial process and privacy policy. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. is accredited by URAC, for Health Content Provider (URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |