Infection??? Help!!

[tracymacey]

Hi all,
I havent posted for a while but have been reading all your recovery updates - glad you're all coping well! Im 5 weeks post op and still in a lot of pain. The end of my scar started hurting about 4 days ago and has been red and hot. Tonight in the bath pus came out of it (sorry gross!) now Im terrified its infected and Ill have to have it re-opened, does anyone know if this will be treatable with antibiotics alone? Im going to docs first thing, but could do with advice
Thanks all xxxxx

 

[loggon]

Wait until you see your OS and he should see you today with that going on. Oral Antibiotics will not treat the implant but don't get terrified (easy for me to say huh) but really it could be a number of things. Someone else on here had the same thing and it was not the replacement knee. It had something to do with the bottom of the scar.
Besure to let us know what the doctor says. When are you going?

 

[loghaula]

Being in pain is not good; I am six weeks and only have some minor discomfort now and then. Smart idea to go see the doc, as your wound needs tending to. Wise Jo will be along shortly to help you with your questions, as I am no expert on these things, but I know if it were me, I would be heading to the doc's ASAP.

Glenys
LHR 5/28/09
RHR 7/23/09

 

[tracymacey]

Hi both, Im in the UK so its almost 8pm here and the docs are shut - Im phoning as soon as they open tomorrow...Ive been reading about it on the net - apparently sometimes the blood clots under the wound get infected, which would mean re-opening the wound, cleaning out the clots (gross!!) and then flushing with antibiotics - thats if it hasnt spread anywhere near the joint. Am terrified now so hoping that it wont come to that....eeek!

 

[loggon]

Tracy we will say a prayer for you. Yes they do flush out with antibiotics but I have heard of a newer way to do the infections that are not quite as invasive.

So we will cross our fingers and toes.

Have you had a bacteria infection that would have gone to the knee lately?

But Jo should be along soon and advise.

Why can you not call the doctor at 8PM??? I can call mine or the doctor on call 24/7 for an emergency and I would class this as one.
Although I really don't think it is but it would put your mine to rest to just talk to a doc and see what they say.

 

[tracymacey]

Hi Pat,
Thanks for the advice (and the prayer) - we have the NHS here in the UK and if I called now I will be told to wait until my GP surgery is open, although I will telephone the hospital anyway and see if I can get a response from the post op ward - thankyou
x

 

[Dawnie]

Tracy, I'm in the UK too, go to one of the walk in centres they can prescribe for you if necessary, they are open 24 hrs here in the Northeast, should be the same nationwide.

 

[Josephine]

It all rather depends how much pus came out. It's very common to get stitch infections or other small, superficial infections in the wound. If what came out was in the manner of a large zit or enough to moisten a small cotton swab, then don't panic. It's likely to be something that will clear up on its own.

However, if it was several mls like a tablespoonful, then you might have cause to worry. Though I said worry not panic!

Either way, go see your GP in the morning. There's nothing going to come to harm until then. No need to rush to A&E or anything. Just put a clean, or sterile if you have one, dressing on it and keep it dry.

As for treatment, yes, such things can be dealt with by oral antibiotics. Don't know where you saw that about infected clots being cleaned out - never seen or heard of such a thing! In any of these situations, it's always "little guns first" meaning they'll give you antibiotics to take and see how it goes. Many deeper infections can be controlled with oral or IV antibiotics as well.

But don't spend the night in a furore of anxiety and panic. It'll probably be fine.

 

[Steph]

Tracey, try not to worry too much. Hopefully as Jo says it will be easiy treatable or something not to get anxious over x

 

[Jamie]

Tracy, listen to our Mother Hen.....and try to stay calm. Get some sleep. And if you can't sleep, DON'T surf the net to read about infections....come on BoneSmart and talk with us until you're sleepy. Worrying ain't worth it!! :gphg:

 

[tracymacey]

Hi Dawnie,
Im waiting for the out of hours doc to call..fingers crossed!

 

[tracymacey]

Hi all,
Thankyou so much - I feel a lot better, just spoken to doc and he thinks its a superficial infection. Hes told me to go to GP in the morning for a clean up and some antibiotics ) THanks all xxxxx ps Im NEVER surfing the net again!!!!lol

 

[loggon]

Great news Tracy knew you would feel so much better after talking to a doc to ease your mind.

But for sure you can always count on Jo to give you the best advise and Jamie too.

 

[Josephine]

Well, there y'go! It's something and nothing, as I said. Now go and get a good night's sleep.

 

[Texas]

Hey Tracey I have everything crossed for you............Think positive for now it will be ok. hang in there and please let us know we are all behind you here.............Your in my prayers as well..............)

 

[srikrocks]

so finally im glad that u have a happy ending...but dont skimp on ur medication..

 

[tracie]

hi tracey so glad it turned out to be not as bad as you were thinking,i know what you mean about surfing the net it does indeed make you panic that it could be this or that happy healing xxxx:flwr::flwr: