It's 4 weeks since my THR. After a week or so the wound started to drain excessively. My GP prescribed a course of anti biotics, and the wound dried up shortly before I finished them. Since then, the wound was a bit red and itchy. Especially at night, so I would take antihistamines to reduce it enough for me to sleep.
I've since tried a one hour session of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. I was able to go 'down,' to the full 10m depth. With only a little discomfort from my ears.
Basically, you breathe 100% oxygen, while under pressure, which means you are taking into your blood and tissues about 10x the usual amount of oxygen.
That night, the redness and itching were almost completely gone. I also slept better than I had for some time.
I'm guessing the redness and itching might be normal healing. But I was just a bit concerned there might be some infection left.
I'm hoping to have at least one more session with the oxygen. It looks like the going rate is around £40.00 per hour. It looks like you might pay a lot more in the US. 200 to 600 Dollars?!
I want for a large, multi person tank, as I have slight claustrophobia, and didn't fancy being stuffed into a tube! The larger tank also is pressurised with air, not oxygen, so there is much less danger of fire, and so no need to change into a cotton only IE non static, gown.
You wear a mask and demand valve to breathe and to exhaust the oxygen. If I can, I'll add a link to show the tank I used.
My wound AFTER the oxygen session:
BEFORE the oxygen therapy:
The tank set up: