jbailey
new member
United StatesHello, I'm posting this on behalf of my husband James who had a TKR in the U.S. on 6-17-2016.
About 2 weeks post-op, significant edema developed on the surgical leg. On the advice of the on-call surgeon, we went to the ER where they did an ultrasound scan to rule out DVT (blood clot), which turned out negative. That was 6 weeks ago, and although the swelling is better, it never totally goes away even after lots of rest, elevation above the heart (according to the FAQ here) and ice. But that's not the primary concern, as we know swelling is part of the healing. It's the rash that developed at week 6. It started out looking like bug bites, and it is summer and mosquito season, so we applied calamine lotion. It continued to spread quickly into angry red raised areas on the skin. We emailed the surgeon's nurse these photos (below). They advised we see husband's primary care physician (PCP). The PCP ordered another ultrasound (negative for DVT) and a blood test (negative for infection, cellulitis). James visited the surgeon's assistant (she said she hadn't seen a rash like it, and suggested discontinuing compression hose, as it might be irritating the skin). The surgeon's assistant also said that in over 600 TKRs, their office has never had a pt experience an allergic reaction to the implant. James visited his PCP for a follow-up, who prescribed prednisone (currently at the beginning of the 10 day course), and yesterday (8/12/16) James saw his dermatologist who said it is hives, and expressed some concern that this could be an allergic reaction to the implant (nooooooo! our worst nightmare!!!). Here are some photos...the rash continues. One theory the PCP shared was that it could be the skin's reaction to swelling and stretching, like a contact dermatitis.
Our hope is that others on this forum can share stories of rashes/hives that resolved over time. Sorry for the length of this post. If it weren't for the edema and rash, my hubby feels he would be so much further with his recovery. Otherwise the knee feels great. By the way, he discontinued narcotics around week 5. He takes Tylenol 2x day if he has aches or pain, and it does the trick. He's back at work 1/2 time (sedentary job) and he takes it super easy and rests when at home.
Thank you in advance for your feedback and input. These photos were taken 10 days ago as of this writing on 8-13-16. But it still looks pretty much the same. Perhaps not quite as raised and as red. Sometimes a new hive shows up on his arm or non surgical leg, but doesn't present as significantly.
Thank you in advance, Ann & James
Right TKR June 17, 2016
Left knee Arthroscopy (lateral release) April 2000
About 2 weeks post-op, significant edema developed on the surgical leg. On the advice of the on-call surgeon, we went to the ER where they did an ultrasound scan to rule out DVT (blood clot), which turned out negative. That was 6 weeks ago, and although the swelling is better, it never totally goes away even after lots of rest, elevation above the heart (according to the FAQ here) and ice. But that's not the primary concern, as we know swelling is part of the healing. It's the rash that developed at week 6. It started out looking like bug bites, and it is summer and mosquito season, so we applied calamine lotion. It continued to spread quickly into angry red raised areas on the skin. We emailed the surgeon's nurse these photos (below). They advised we see husband's primary care physician (PCP). The PCP ordered another ultrasound (negative for DVT) and a blood test (negative for infection, cellulitis). James visited the surgeon's assistant (she said she hadn't seen a rash like it, and suggested discontinuing compression hose, as it might be irritating the skin). The surgeon's assistant also said that in over 600 TKRs, their office has never had a pt experience an allergic reaction to the implant. James visited his PCP for a follow-up, who prescribed prednisone (currently at the beginning of the 10 day course), and yesterday (8/12/16) James saw his dermatologist who said it is hives, and expressed some concern that this could be an allergic reaction to the implant (nooooooo! our worst nightmare!!!). Here are some photos...the rash continues. One theory the PCP shared was that it could be the skin's reaction to swelling and stretching, like a contact dermatitis.
Our hope is that others on this forum can share stories of rashes/hives that resolved over time. Sorry for the length of this post. If it weren't for the edema and rash, my hubby feels he would be so much further with his recovery. Otherwise the knee feels great. By the way, he discontinued narcotics around week 5. He takes Tylenol 2x day if he has aches or pain, and it does the trick. He's back at work 1/2 time (sedentary job) and he takes it super easy and rests when at home.
Thank you in advance for your feedback and input. These photos were taken 10 days ago as of this writing on 8-13-16. But it still looks pretty much the same. Perhaps not quite as raised and as red. Sometimes a new hive shows up on his arm or non surgical leg, but doesn't present as significantly.
Thank you in advance, Ann & James
Right TKR June 17, 2016
Left knee Arthroscopy (lateral release) April 2000
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