Arlington, TX
A 26-year-old female asked about a 60-year-old male:
Dad got plates in broken leg's bone.now has infection.leg turns red and has pus.doc says when bone'll join he'd remove the plates.is it safe to wait?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Martin Raffanswered
Infectious Disease 58 years experience
Yes: This will require control of the infection to allow healing of the unstable fracture, followed by removal of hardware and any devitalized bone, and then retreatment after the metallic devices are out. Long but necessary process. Hopefully your Dad is being seen by an infectious diseases expert along with the orthopedist.
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4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
1 comment
Dr. Lee Wittenberg commented
Podiatry 23 years experience
If there is an infection near or in hardware (plates and screws), it should be removed, as it can be a direct avenue/extension of the infection directly into the bone. This could result in amputation.
May 30, 2014
Last updated Dec 28, 2014
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