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Knee Infection* Delayed Prosthetic Joint Infection

It is really scary when the doctors you rely on fail you and let you suffer needlessly for such a long period of time. When do you have the second surgery? Although recovering from TKR is never going to be what I could call easy, I’m really hoping that your recovery will seem easy compared to the other because you will be actually recovering!
 
@MSuki Thank you for your well wishes. The date is not scheduled for the 2nd surgery. I will be on the antibiotics for 6 weeks. Then we wait another 2-3 months to retest for infection. If all looks good then the 2nd part will be scheduled. I am doing well after the 1st part already.
 
@Jday, there will be so many people who will take heart from your example of perseverance in getting to the bottom of your problem, even when you've been kind of dismissed by some professionals. I am following your story and hope it will be smoother sailing for you now.
 
Hello. Update on my recovery: I am doing well for the most part. I wore the brace 24/7 for the first week after my surgery. I was able to maneuver easily around with a walker or crutches. My pain level was low most days never getting above a 4. Tylenol and meloxicam helped ease any discomfort. The first few days after the brace came off were tricky since the bad leg was weak. I quickly learned to readjust my balance and did not need any aids 2 weeks after my surgery. Now at a little over 3 weeks post-op I am walking well and driving. I plan to go back to work next week since I have a desk job. I am doing my PT exercises at home. I was told that the main focus while the spacer is in place is to eradicate the infection. Not to concentrate on getting a full range of motion but on keeping the muscles strong. I can carefully walk up and down stairs. Going down is harder. My ID Dr said my labs are getting better but he still wants me on the antibiotics until the end of February at least. I was hoping he would remove the PICC line and prescribe oral antibiotics but he did not want to make any changes since all was going well. I have not had any major side effects from the medication. Mostly upset tummy and nausea.

My pain level has been good until today. I started getting a severe stabbing feeling in my knee when I move around. It is not constant but frequent. It shoots down my calf to my foot when it does happen. I am wondering if it is a nerve getting pinched when I move a specific way. Has anyone else experienced something similar? I am icing and elevating as much as possible. I hope I am not jumping the gun planning on going back to work next week. I a pray this pain will subside by then.

I am grateful for my progress and feel that I am on the right track going forward. Just with twists, turns, and bumps along the way
 
Thank you for the update!

Definitely baby that knee especially while it's flaring up with pain.

Can you delay your return to work, or do a phased schedule (a few hours a day, every other day to start?)
 
Hi @Jday! I just updated your signature.

So sorry to read what you are going through. Please keep us posted on your progress, and let us know when you have stage two scheduled.

Best wishes for a full recovery. :flwrysmile:
 
I am pretty sure it is a nerve issue. I had pain in my lower back with my initial surgery and now with my revision. Diagnosis was a pinched nerve after the initial surgery. I was told by one PT that it could not be the nerve. It was getting worse so I went to a physiatrist. Turns out I had 2 pinched nerves in my spine. I did get steroid injections and was prescribed Gabapentin. It did get better until my recent revision. It is starting up again. Before, the physiatrist sent me to PT to stretch the area. My new PT was great and gave me exercises to do. I just started doing the ones I can at home and hope it helps. Before the dx I googled sciatica and found some stretching exercises to do. I think it just the body readjusting. I found some other comments of the same issue here on Bonesmart.
 
Jday said:
@raylo thank you for the info about your brother. That is reassuring.
I had bloodwork done twice that came back normal. It was not until the specialist aspirated the knee that they found the infection. My CRP & ESR are very high. I was told that it can happen where the infection is not seen in regular bloodwork. The bacteria has attached to the prosthetic and is not in the bloodstream. Therefore it is not detected by my immune system and it is flourishing. My knee is very swollen and deformed pretty much since my initial surgery. The Dr was astounded that no one had aspirated it.
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I just completed my 2nd stage surgery. It's not an easy road but you will pull thru. I will gladly answer any questions you have
 
I am so sorry you are going through all this pain. The emotional and mental toll it takes is staggering. You seem at the start of a very good path. Would you mind messaging me the doc you are seeing at New England Baptist? I need to see a doctor for a second opinion. Or perhaps you can post the doctor's name here. Sending you good thoughts!
 
Hi @cqcoffee. I learned that it is important to get a second maybe even a third opinion. The Dr at New England Baptist is Carl Talmos. He is very direct and good. I am very happy with the first stage of my surgery. My leg was straight right after, which it has not been since my original surgery in 2022. Also the constant pain has lessened. Here is a link to his website https://www.drtalmo.com/. Good luck.
 
thank you @Jah Row. How long was it until you were ready for the 2nd stage? Was your infection gone after the antibiotics?
I am just finishing up the 6 weeks of IV antibiotics. My blood work has been good. I will be happy to get off of it. I am so tired all the time. It is also upsetting my stomach and I am limited to what I can eat. Normal healthy foods that I enjoy not only upset my tummy but do not taste good. I only want carbs, such as toast and crackers, which I don't eat a lot of. I can't wait to get the PICC line out today. Next stage is waiting a month to reaspirate the knee and see if infection came back. I don't think it will. I think the antibiotic eradicated it.
 
I'm so sorry you have to endure all of this, Jday. Thankfully the PICC line goes today. Prayers for the good news in a month that the infection is gone. Hopefully you're able to tolerate the foods you enjoy soon.
Hugs!
@Jday
 
Jday said:
I am very happy with the first stage of my surgery. My leg was straight right after, which it has not been since my original surgery in 2022.
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Was your leg misaligned during the original surgery?
 
Jday said:
thank you @Jah Row. How long was it until you were ready for the 2nd stage? Was your infection gone after the antibiotics?
I am just finishing up the 6 weeks of IV antibiotics. My blood work has been good. I will be happy to get off of it. I am so tired all the time. It is also upsetting my stomach and I am limited to what I can eat. Normal healthy foods that I enjoy not only upset my tummy but do not taste good. I only want carbs, such as toast and crackers, which I don't eat a lot of. I can't wait to get the PICC line out today. Next stage is waiting a month to reaspirate the knee and see if infection came back. I don't think it will. I think the antibiotic eradicated it.
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I had first surgery Sept 19th 2023 second on December 11th 2024. I totally relate to the feeling about the food. Hang in there
 
Oh losing the PICC is going to help, as is starting to clear those antibiotics out. A good milestone!
 
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