Warning Signs Of Osteolysis

Inflammation

Osteolysis can induce inflammation in and around the implant, both due to the loss of bone and due to particles and molecules being shed from the implant. Inflammation can result in swelling, redness, discomfort, and even systemic flu-like feelings. If these symptoms occur, they need to be checked out immediately because they strongly resemble symptoms of an infection of the implant, and infections of an implant can cause severe effects and in some cases, can lead to the need to remove the implant or even death. If the cause is found to be osteolysis instead of an infection, various treatments, such as laparoscopic removal of debris and efforts to promote bone growth around the implant, may be implemented.

Continue reading to uncover more warning signs of osteolysis to be aware of.

Bone Loss

The loss of bone around an implant due to osteolysis can be treated in many ways. Bone grafts, either using bone obtained from the patient (autografts) or donated cadaver bone (allografts) can be used to restore sufficient bone to allow a new implant to be placed in the affected joint or to stabilize the current implant. However, bone grafts have quite a few disadvantages, such as bacteria present in cadaver bone and morbidities due to harvesting bone from other sites on the patient. Because of these disadvantages, synthetic substitutes are generally preferred. Synthetic substitutes can be molded into the desired shape and size and placed around the implant, where they can temporarily stabilize the implant while encouraging the body to grow new bone into the substrate to permanently anchor and secure the implant.

Get to know more warning signs of osteolysis now.