Fluid on the Knee 4 months after TKR

[jeney]

I had my TKR Oct 1, 2008. Still sore and swollen at 2 mo. post op. and Doctor removed about 40 c of fluid (yellow & red in color) and gave me a cortizone shot. Saw Dr. again last week - at 4 mo post op. Improving, but still sore and a bit swollen. There was fluid again. He removed 30cc (yellow in color) and gave me another cortisone shot.
He said liquid after TKR is not common, but it is nothing to worry about. I will see him again in 4 months.
Has anyone else had this problem??

 

[Josephine]

Remember what I said in my mini lecture about adhesions? That when the knee is opened and the tissues dry off, one of the body's reactions should be to go into hyperdrive to replace the fluid? Well, it can overdo it too! That's all an effusion is.

 

[Jamie]

Josephine, I am confused now.....your post indicated that some fluid at this point was a normal reaction, the doctor above provided a truly grave post! Of course, it's not my problem, but I am curious as to what you think Jeney should do. I do think it was inappropriate for the good doctor to suggest that her OS was actually hiding something. A suggestion of infection as a possibility and to contact her OS would have been a lot less scary to read if this WAS my thread!

 

[Josephine]

Well, it's just his opinion. I've never taken any opinion as verbatim and effusions are often yellow and reddish in colour.

She is seeing her doctor already and no doubt he has sent some of this fluid off to the lab for culture. If there's anything in there, she will know soon enough.

 

[Jamie]

Akvenkat, thanks for responding to my post. I wasn't scared, but I was afraid that your words may have had that impact on others.

I think it's better to suggest things rather than state "this is what is" when you are dealing with people online and not in person. You don't know them and can't see their reaction. They don't really know you or your experience either.

This is an excellent forum that has and continues to help a lot of people. It is a great thing to have a doctor - especially from a country other than the ones normally represented here - to add a new perspective. Perhaps you could start a new thread and introduce yourself so that people know your background in this field. In any case, thanks again for responding....welcome to the forum and I look forward to reading more of your posts.

 

[Rowdy66]

Jamie, Excellent response to the good doctor. I am sure he/she meant well but I agree about making statements, such as "....most likely you have infection and your doctor is hiding the fact from you". I am sure the doctor meant well but words from professionals should be carefully chosen and since your OS is aware of the fluid and has drawn some off of your knee he would be foolish indeed if he did not send a sample to a pathologist. That protects you and him, as well. Anyway, once again, good response, you couldn't have said it better. Good luck. Rowdy

 

[Jamie]

Thanks, Rowdy.....I agree with you that the doctor was only trying to help. Sometimes things said in an email or written like this don't really come across as you intend. That has happened to everyone who has evern been online. I do think it will be interesting to hear from him. From the things I've read, India does a lot of joint replacement surgery.