Having a joint replacement, in most cases, improves your lifestyle considerably. But having a ‘foreign body’ in your system leaves you open to possible future problems, one of which is bacteria may ‘seed’ to these ‘foreign’ sites causing infection and possible unwanted severe infection around the implant. This problem is aggravated if you also have one of the following conditions:
- Prior history of joint infection
- Weakened immune system (Diabetes, Cancer, Organ Transplant Recipient, Haemophilia)
- Chronic steroid usage
- Malnutrition/poor nutrition
- Inflammatory arthritis
To reduce the risk of infection around an implant, precautions should be taken for AT LEAST TWO YEARS after total joint replacement. Patients at increased risk of infection should use antibiotic prophylaxis for the rest of their lifetime.
Antibiotic prophylaxis is needed for procedures that cause bacteria to seed to implant sites. These procedures include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Dental procedures (cleaning, extractions, implants, periodontal work). This includes going to the dental hygienist as well as the dentist.
- Gastrointestinal procedures (upper endoscopy, colonoscopy)
- Genitourinary procedures (cystoscopy, TURP)
Antibiotic Recommendations:
- If you are not allergic to penicillin, take 2 grams of Amoxicillin by mouth one hour before your procedure.
- If you are allergic to penicillin, take 600 mg of Clindamycin by mouth one hour before your procedure.
Avoid scheduling elective dental procedures for at least three months following your joint replacement.
Usually, the doctor undertaking your procedure will plan your prophylactic management, but if you have any questions or need advice or a prescription for the correct preventative medication, feel free to call us.
Dr. Laurence