Knee Infection* I tried and fought the good fight

[RestAssured]

Jeff,

I am so sorry! You have been through so much already! Our pets are comforting to us. When you get better, maybe you can get another dog?

 

[KathyH]

So sorry to hear about your pug, Jeffrey. Hope you are continuing to progress well and stay positive. When you are more settled, perhaps have another pet?

We are all here for you

 

[hedgep]

Jeffery, I am so sad in reading your thread. To loose your dear Pug in the middle of all this, too.
I am also in Va, Richmond. Was wondering where you are located here and who your surgeon is?? I am getting ready to have #3 TKR on the same knee, all within 5 years. I need to condense my 2 threads and start a more thorough one. Mechanical Loosening is one, the other is UTI 3 days before surgery.
Am praying for your healing and recovery. We lost our sweet Jack Russell back in Jan, she was 13. It's still hard, she was such a character.
Blessings, hedgep

 

[jeffreyclay]

I had a visit with my OS regarding some new pain that I've experienced since I was given the "OK" to wearing my prosthetic leg again. I had drainage from an incision on the stump for nearly a year until the Wound Specialist caught a glimpse of a suture in the tiny hole and pulled it out. It was of woven thread and had 3 knots and a loop. The OS took 3 X-rays of my knee and handed me one of the prints. He examined the knee and found nothing. I had no pain or a good explanation of its disappearance. I did have some Prayer Warriors helping me. Attached is the x-ray I have (All others have been requested) What do you notice??

 

[Pumpkin]

@jeffreyclay,
Sorry to hear you are still having problems with your knee. Hope you find some answers soon.
Reebok bought the PF flyer brand, you can buy them in some stores and on line (Zappos).

 

[Josephine]

@jeffreyclay I moved your post from Tough Cookie's thread as it threatened to derail it.

It was of woven thread and had 3 knots and a loop

That's a normal suture. The loop is that which went through the tissues to hold them together. It's also usual for a surgeon to put three 'throws' in a knot to make it secure. The woven material is also, you may be surprised to know, a material made from fruit sugars! It's supposed to be dissolvable but can this can often be interrupted by infection.

I had no pain or a good explanation of its disappearance.

Disappearance of what? I think I must have missed something ...

AS for your xray, it's a very poor picture and not of diagnostic quality so I am unable to comment upon it. Sorry.

 

[jeffreyclay]

I had no pain or a good explanation of its disappearance.
Disappearance of what? I think I must have missed something ..
I was referring to the pain disappearing.
In the x-ray, most have commented on the absence of a gap on the lateral side. I suspect the polyethylene disk is broken. Six months ago my knee expelled a white colored chip from a boil. I thought it was cartilage from the sawing to prep the bone for the hardware installation. It was probably a piece of the wornout disk.

 

[Celle]

Jeffery, if the plastic spacer is broken, parts of it should show on X-Ray. They have a line in them that is radio-opaque.

The spacer in my PKR broke suddenly. Half of it shot out the front of my knee and the other half went towards the back.

At revision surgery, my surgeon was able to retrieve the part from the front of the knee, but the part at the back had embedded and encapsulated itself in the soft tissues at the back of the knee - the "tiger country" where surgeons try not to go, unless it's absolutely necessary. So, there it sits, not causing me any problems. It shows up on every X-Ray that is taken of my knee.

I think it's important to determine if your spacer is broken. If it is, the implants in your femur and tibia will be rubbing on each other and you could get small parts of them wearing off and getting in your knee compartment.
At my revision surgery, it was discovered that small metal filings from the implants had turned the soft tissues black and the fluid in my knee was bright green.

It might be possible for you to just have the spacer replaced.

 

[jmdearras]

It might be possible for you to just have the spacer replaced.

I wonder how that works if you don't have a spacer??

 

[Celle]

I wonder how that works if you don't have a spacer??

Almost all knee implants have a spacer.
Maybe your poly one doesn't?

 

[jmdearras]

I haven't yet heard of a knee replacement implant that doesn't have a spacer.

well, now you have! They are getting more popular. The tibia implant is one piece, no metal.

(that's not mine, mine does not have the center post)

 

[Celle]

Yes, I amended my response, above, as I realised you had the poly one.
We must have been posting at about the same time!

 

[jmdearras]

it needs more precise fitting, but allows less bone removal for more poly, and eliminates the bottom poly/metal slight movement wear. And it eliminates that surface to surface crevice where infection could grow. But if it breaks, looks to be more serious!

 

[jeffreyclay]

I'm not sure which way to turn. I had a 2nd opinion from a well regarded OS in Roanoke last April and he said there was nothing he would do short of amputating the leg. He also took 3 x-rays that I'm waiting to receive to see if the poly was gone or even visible in his images. I've postponed all rehab for using the prosthetic leg as I sure there is metal to metal contact in the knee and that can't be helpful. I even hear clicks and pops from the knee which are new. If there is metal damage, I'm dead in the water as they say. Neither implant can be removed (my OS tried on prior surgery, commenting, "he wailed on it" and "any more force would destroy the bone ends) My wound Dr has mentioned he has an OS friend that works at UVA Medical College. I'm told they are more receptive to a challenging case. I'll have to see if my Obamacare Ins is accepted there.

 

[Celle]

I'd like @Josephine to comment on your last post, Jeffrey.
I wouldn't accept the decision from your Roanoke surgeon without consulting someone else.
It could be worth contacting Dr Maale in Plano, Texas, who has a great record in dealing with infected implants.

.

 

[Pumpkin]

I agree with Celle, about contacting Dr Maale, he does phone consultations, his opinion would be helpful.
Hoping there is not metal damage.

 

[Josephine]

he said there was nothing he would do short of amputating the leg

That is simply not true! There is lots can be done.

If there is metal damage, I'm dead in the water as they say

How so, my friend? For what reason are you 'dead in the water'?

Neither implant can be removed (my OS tried on prior surgery, commenting, "he wailed on it" and "any more force would destroy the bone ends)

There is much can be done even IF the bone ends are damaged. There are devices that can replace half the femur and half the tibia with a joint thrown in! Come to that, there are devices that can replace from the hip joint to half way down the tibia! A hip replacement and a knee replacement all in one. I know you don't need that but I'm just trying to tell you that anything's possible.

I have some photos somewhere but I can't seem to find them just now.

 

[Jamie]

I agree with Jo....don't give up!!! If you are at all interested in speaking with Dr. Maale in Texas, he does do phone consultations.

Here is a link to information on him:

Dr. Gerhard Maale, Plano, Texas (Dallas/Fort Worth area)

 

[RestAssured]

@jeffreyclay

I remember you from last April! Several have recommended Dr. Maale but I am taking it one step further; contact him ASAP. He will help you in any way he can. The harder the case, the better he likes it! He is simply one of the most brilliant surgeons I have ever met, and if you need my help just tag me! I will help you by getting in touch with his nurse... We are friends now.

 

[RestAssured]

@jeffreyclay

I have a friend whose doctor told her she was a hopeless case; too much bone loss, infection, blah, blah, blah. I convinced her to go see Dr. Maale and even though she was a "tough" case, lots of bone loss etc. she has a functioning knee that is higher up in the thigh than most people's. But you know what?

She has NO pain she can bend it well enough for everyday activities, even getting on the floor w her grandchildren! Her doctor had left her with no hope but amputation, and when I got her in to see Dr. Maale, her life changed dramatically!