If you’ve had orthopedic surgery, there is always a small risk of getting an infection. It’s not common for people to get infections after surgery – only about one to three percent of people do. These infections can be caused by the procedure itself, post-care, or from another patient in the hospital. Most infections will develop within 30 days of the procedure.
What is an Infection?
Infections are germs that invade and spread in or on our bodies and cause illness. Some viral infections, like a cold, can go away by themselves. Surgical infections are more often caused by bacteria and should be treated as soon as possible to avoid spreading and causing serious illness. It’s important to know the signs and symptoms of an infection, especially after having surgery.
Types of Surgical Infections
Surgical site infections (SSI) are infections at or near the area where the surgery was performed. This happens when germs come in contact with the surgical site. Surgical site infections can be on the surface of your skin or deep inside the incision. In some cases, it can spread to organs or surrounding tissue.
It’s important to keep the area clean and dry until it is healed. Do not get your incision wet until instructed by your surgeon.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can happen when you need a catheter during surgery. This is more common if you have spinal anesthesia or will have limited mobility after surgery, like with a hip replacement. It’s also more common with older adults. The catheter is usually removed the next day, but infections can happen during the removal or days after its removal.
Postoperative pneumonia is a lung infection that is more common with a major surgery where you can’t move for a longer period of time. After surgery, your care team will get you up and moving as soon as possible to avoid this type of infection. You will also use an incentive spirometer to help prevent this as well.
Common Signs of an Infection
- Drainage or pus near the surgical site
- Redness or warmth
- Tenderness
- Increasing pain
- Swelling
- Surgical wound not healing
- Fever or chills
- Fatigue
- Nausea or vomiting
- Pain or burning while urinating
- Coughing
- Bloody, green, or yellow mucus
- Bleeding
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing
How You Can Avoid an Infection
The most important thing you can do is to keep the surgical site clean while you’re in the hospital and after you go home.
You can do the following to avoid an infection:
- Wash your hands often, especially before touching your incision or dressing
- Have others wash their hands and wear gloves when touching your incision
- Keep the dressing clean and dry, changing when necessary
- Avoid tobacco
- Don’t put anything on your incision except as instructed by your doctor
- Follow all instructions from your care team
What to Do if You Have Symptoms of an Infection
The most important thing is to keep your surgical incision clean and continue to follow all care instructions.
Then, call your surgeon or care team right away and tell them what symptoms you’re having. They may prescribe antibiotics.
If your symptoms don’t go away or you see new signs of an infection, get medical attention right away. If left untreated, infections can spread and become serious or even life-threatening.
If you have chest pain or trouble breathing, call 911.