Hi, Ddole. I had my TKR October 6, was sailing along, & at about 5 1/2 weeks, my incision got infected. That was in mid-November. We certainly were not planning on this, but, it happened. I had a second surgery , a good cleaning out, checking everything, & it was determined that the infection was almost certainly confined to the incision, & not the knee replacement parts, so the liner was replaced, & I was on the 6-week round of antibiotics ( PICC line.... my husband became Quite proficient at the infusions, & we kept ourselves amused watching silly kitty videos as he slowly administered it). I was put on oral antibiotics for a while after that, & frankly, a bit apprehensive when those ended. My Infectious Diseases Dr reassured me that while there are no guarantees, as more & more time passed, the likelihood of further infection decreases. She felt I’d had enough, and my bloodwork was very good. I had to trust her, she’s a good Dr. We’re both working hard on staying healthy..... getting the rest we need, walking daily and eating well. I’m especially working on plenty of protein, as it helps with the healing process. My nurses when I was in the hospital stressed this, so I listened. I did lose my appetite badly during it all, pretty much lost my taste for sweets ( which isn’t an altogether Bad thing, I was able to lose a rather stubborn 10 pounds that I’ve wanted to see go for some time now...and, it’s staying off!). My ID Dr also reassured me that my appetite should return once I was off the IV antibiotics..... and, it did! I’m once again enjoying cooking.. and, eating it, and my husband is enjoying eating (and, smelling!) it as well. I do enjoy the occasional sweet , but , for the most part, avoid that, neither of us really needs it ( we’re 77 & 82, & diabetes seems to be more likely as you age; doing a little research, I learned that the pancreas is not as efficient as you age.)
The infection & surgery for it were no fun, nor the antibiotics. I do think that after the first bit of that recovery, which was tough, in general, my recovery overall was easier than from my TKR. Maybe because a lot of it, I was familiar with. I do hope it is the same for you.
All this being said, knowing everything that it would be, I’d have this knee replacement again in a Heartbeat! My quality of life is SO much better! I was in so much pain, & just Felt bad from it, more than I realized. Now, I walk daily with my husband. I feel like doing so much more. Looking forward to our garden. Looking forward to our grandson being here every week for 2 days when school is out, & his folks work from home, a very busy, lively, loveable 6 1/2 year old who is my heart! ( btw, he is now proud owner of one of my canes, a request he made after my surgery....” since you won’t need it, Grandma, can I have it for a hobby horse??). So it has a new, fun life!
I look back on all the people I have met through this experience, friends here, the hospital staff where I spent 6 days in the midst of a Delta Covid surge here... they were all so wonderful, & managed to take excellent care of me and the other patients, even though they were overworked & understaffed. I’ve learned a lot , & am really enjoying so much I could not before. ( interesting, my husband & I tried to remember When I could not walk without severe pain, to the point that daily walks were impossible.... it had been so long that neither of us could remember. That Does say something ( maybe one thing, how stubborn I can be).
One other thing my ID Dr told me.....she said to enjoy my life! And not to worry about what Might happen; it probably won’t. I’m still being careful, we both wear masks a lot, work on proper rest, diet, & exercise. Today we worked on replacing timbers in one of our raised gardens. A real workout! I’m already envisioning my tomato& squash plants, tomatillos, & green beans! Trying my hand at starting some things from seed. I’m really looking forward to summer!
I do want to encourage you. I’m thinking positively, and, if I do incur another “bump” in this journey, it will be OK. I’ve learned that. I’m thinking positively for you too. I know your journey has been different from mine, and I think we have in common, being anxious of what might happen. But also, good bloodwork. That’s good. So we probably don’t need more antibiotics. I’ll be rooting for you , & looking for some good reports from you. Take care, & my best to you.