TKR Late Bloomer<

[dianehelen]

Im sorry, Im probably the worst person to ask, since my experience was not good

 

[ACDCJen]

Hi @zzevi

I did indeed have a wound vac on my tkr incision. I had a wonderful experience. There was a sponge like pad that was laid over the top of my entire incision, with a small tube running to the vacuum machine. This was covered with a clear tape/dressing that was waterproof. My incision was not closed with external sutures or staples, just the wound vac holding the edges together. There was a small tube running from the "sponge" on my incision to a small machine that maintained the vacuum pressure and collected any drainage. When I left hospital, they swapped this machine with a smaller one that I could wear in a small pouch around my neck. It was about the size of a larger cellphone and was very light. I had it on for 7 days before it was removed. To remove, the nurse flushed the tube with saline, which loosened the suction on my wound. Once it was sufficiently wetted, the entire dressing was pulled off, VERY painlessly! She put steri-strips on after that.

I'd never had one before, but I loved it! I had no drainage at all, so I didn't have to deal with that. VERY rarely, the machine made small adjustments and adjusted the pressure, but this was done automatically and with barely any feeling. I had a clear bandage over the entire thing on my leg which was waterproof. I showered the day I got home from hospital and didn't have to worry about covering it up because of this!

I did not have to have a dressing change, so I can't speak to that. I think I had such a good result because I didn't have an infection and the dressing was on a flat enough space that the seal never broke.

Hope that helps!!
Jen

 

[dianehelen]

I guess having it a week, it can be a better experience than having it for 7 months.. Im glad you had a good experience with it @ACDCJen

Probably where you had it made it easier too. Mine was on the side of my hip, making it very difficult in so many ways.

 

[newlybionic]

Wound Vacs are used to close wounds any where on your body. The others have given you a good idea how it works. The doctor will prescribe how often it is to be changed and the settings on the wound vac. Depending upon the model you may be able to shower. You will be given instructions on what to do if the dressing comes loose. In my experience as a home nurse they were changed up to 3 times a week. At every change the wound will be cleaned and measurements taken to keep track as to how well you are healing.

 

[KarriB]

I believe you're right Diane. The location, multiple surgeries and massive infection would do anyone in. But zzevi's issue seems to close to the surface, not requiring another surgery and the knee is far easier to get to than a THR incision.
Thanks, Jen for responding with your experience as well. I've never known of a vac used straight out of surgery. I had drainage pumps after my infection, not attached to the incision. I keep learning new things everyday!

 

[dianehelen]

cleaned and measurements taken to keep track as to how well you are healing.

yep thats how it works.. My wound started at 16cm deep x 12cm long x 5cm wide . It did heal from the bottom up , but because of where it was, it took a long time and while the wound eventuall sealed never really met the edges of the skin on both sides, leaving me with a really deep indent that is loaded with painful nerve damage and scar tissue. The home nurse who was tending me said she had never seen such a deep and long wound, lucky me, I gave her a new experience

 

[dianehelen]

knee is far easier to get to than a THR incision.

yes and what added to mine being so bad, hard to keep sealed, was the fact that Im heavy and the area where it was was just massive layers of fat tissue. Even the OS at the time said he had to really cut thru a lot of fat to even get to my hip. Before surgery he did express some concern about my weight especially around the area he had to operate and said some surgeons would not even attempt it. In hindsight, I think maybe he should not have done it. I think my current OS who did my knee would have been a better choice, but I did not know him at the time.

 

[mamazipp]

@dianehelen I didn't realize you were left with nerve damage too, at the site. Yikes! So sorry to hear that.

 

[ACDCJen]

@dianehelen

When I read your hip story, all I thought about was how awful your wound vac was! Mine was tiny, made no noise, and I never had an issue with it. I'm so sorry your experience was so awful. My heart hurt so bad for you.

Jen

 

[KarriB]

Diane, my infection surgery left me with a huge lump on the inside of my calf. I had a small lump from a car accident where a drug addict rear ended me on a bridge! Yes, domino effect! Anyway, when my OS went in to wash out the soft tissue with antibiotics he said that the lump was filled with dead fat. I never knew there was such a thing. The month I was in the imbolizer the lump was non-existent, as soon as I started working the leg, the lump came back bigger than ever. Of course, I worried the lump was filled with infection, it still bothers me, but I have always had ugly legs.

 

[34120]

I had a wound vac with a different surgery. I must agree with @dianehelen. BUT, do not have our bad experiences influence you. All are very different! I am almost 11weeks out and will try to start back to work tomorrow. Shouldn't I be about over this by now?

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[zzevi]

@dianehelen @KarriB @ACDCJen thanks for all your input, I know everyones story is different. Just trying to grasp what I am up against. I know I won't be getting the disposable wound vac that are available. I'll be getting a unit I guess I can wear on my body like a hand bag, it wt 4lbs. I have high hopes tho that when I get the antiobotic that will really help kick this wound back into the healing mode. Hoping I'll be able to work while wearing this unit. I know I will need to go for the dressing change 3x per week.
My husband and I received some good news today that should make me even more eager to move forward, our daughter and son-in-law announced that their expecting. So that gives me an extra push to let's get this taken care of and move on. My daughter has already put in a request for me to go to her dr. appt with her, so glad to have her want me to be such a big part of this. Her new husband has 3 boys from a previous relationship so we've been official gparents for a few months now. But our daughter was a only child and she was adopted so I never experienced what she will be able to experience, so it's a joy to be asked to play such a big role and to have a chance to have a new little one in our close knit family again. So I def have a need to get better soooner than later. lol

 

[jmp65]

@zzevi Congratulations on your daughter's pregnancy! How wonderful! We have 10 grandchildren and I am pretty sure they are all done...but 10 is fine! It's such a blessing and joy to have them all as you too will find out! Congrats again!

 

[Tabbycat]

I'm so happy you've had this lovely news, I can't think of anything better for you to look forward to. I hope all goes well with the wound vac and anti biotic treatment. Keep us posted.
Tabby xxx

 

[mamazipp]

I'm thrilled for you! Grandchildren are a joy, I have 5 plus two great-grandkids. It's wonderful that your daughter wants to include you on this journey. It will be so special for you! A big reason to heal!

 

[KarriB]

Great news for your family! Just keep that attitude and you'll do well with the vac. It may be uncomfortable and inconvenient but keep your eyes on the prize.

 

[fiona4269]

@zzevi I too did everything backwards, and paid dearly for it.
Once I started to follow Josephines advice to the letter then, and only then did I start to move forward. I am now 6 months out and finally moving in the right direction.

Listen to my body, and can now go for a reasonable walk. Have started cycling also. So you will get there, just give yourself and break.

 

[uva55]

Congratulations grandma to be, there is nothing better that grandkids, I have 5 ages, 2,5,12,15 and 17, 2 girls and 3 boys, I hope I get to meet my great grandkids someday!!

 

[sistersinhim]

What wonderful news about being a grandma! I won't be a grandma but I am a great, great aunt! Talking about feeling old!

 

[zzevi]

Well found out the results of my culture today that should bacteria infection:
it reads Moderate growth of Staphloccus Aureus
Heavy gram positive Cocci in pairs
minimal-moderate growth of group c beta strep.
was started o Cephalexin 500mg 4 x a day and
will go and have the wound vac set up on Wed.