THR No one said this is going to be easy

[nessiepie]

Hello All,
Queen-Knee, I agree with Weezi. I did not come out of the house until my follow-up with my
Pt. I was too busy in early days and my incision opened and had some drainage. My OS put me on antibiotics
And I had to be very careful.
Weezy,
Ihad toe touch weightbearing at first (2 weeks) I didn't like it. I felt more unstable especially since because of swelling my operated thigh looked and felt the sizs of a Prius Hang in there you will feel better moving
Around soon.

 

[Queenie]

Hi Quee-Knee

I really feel for you. It's such a worry isn't it, the old infection thing? Hopefully Josephine has reassured you and you're not feeling too anxious about it. I meet with friends for a coffee once a week and know how irresistible that must of been! I recon its coffee at yours next time.
We all know the best thing for our bodies in the initial stages of recovery is rest but its easier said than done sometimes. Not sure about the lumps around your incision. Sounds like inflamed tissue. Me thinks you need to put the old BS mantra into action. You are still in the very early stages of recovery. Hopefully when the antibiotics kick in you'll be feeling much better.

Try not to worry too much.

I'll be thinking about you.

Queenie xxx

 

[Poppet]

Queen-Knee, as Jo indicated, you need to consider resting more.. 'slow and steady' is the name of the game with a THR recovery.

It is so easy to feel great one day and think 'ah, this is the start of more energy etc.. ' and we all tend to push ourselves a little harder on those days, but then comes 'pay-back' the next day or two.

Keep us posted regarding the possible infection, but you have antibiotic cover so that will help enormously. Don't forget to take some probiotics following your course of antibiotics to re-populate your intestinal flora with the good ones. No point in taking probiotics whilst on antibiotics, it is just a water of money

 

[Quee-Knee]

Thanks everyone for the words of encouragement. I am resting more. Am having problem with nausea due to Percocet or antibiotic...havent been able to figure out which it is ... maybe its both. At the moment I am feeling OK and I am craving a nice tender juicy steak and a baked potato. My guess is my body is asking for more protein in my diet for healing but I havent been eating much. Or maybe its just some of the commercials on TV that some of food looks soooo good......the hazard of watching TV all day! My incision is still red especially at the top.....I dont think it stays as dry as it should due to an unsightly flap of skin hey it used to be fat! Any ideas? I have been padding the area loosely with guaze.

 

[Quee-Knee]

I am having my own pity party...actually I am scared to death. My incision actually looks worse, I have called OS daily with updates, he still wants to see me next week - probably waiting until after I have been on antibiotcs for 1 week.
Josephine. is there a protocol or standard of care that OS follow in treating infections do you have any links to that info. I am still hoping it is superficial but I dont like not knowing whats next if its not superficial. I cant stop crying and feel I have let myself down and my dear husband who has been so supportive throughout all of this is also getting frustrated. Im also worried about my new knee. I am reluctant to even post this because of all the newbies out there but I need help. Thanks

 

[Queenie]

Oh Quee-Knee

Don't ever feel that you shouldn't post on here unless its positive, good news. This forum has been set up so that you can share your recovery and find support should you need it. Good for you for posting it takes courage to admit things aren't going as planned, so thank you for sharing your story.

Did your OS tell you how long you'd have to wait before you'd see a change? What you need now is reassurance. Is there anyone who can actually see your incision to give the reassurance you need. I understand how you must be feeling and infections can be a worry but you will get yourself in a right old pickle if you don't get on top of the anxiety.
This is not your fault so please don't be hard on yourself. You most certainly have in no way let yourself down. Your husband sounds like a good man so he is probably feeling frustrated because he can't help you.

If you are really worried and its causing you a lot of upset then I think someone should have a look at it. Like I said earlier its reassurance that you need.

Sorry can't help with the knee.

Hope you're feeling better soon. I'll be thinking about you.

Queenie xxxx

 

[Josephine]

Honey, you are just suffering from the post op blues, that's all, when everything seems so overwhelming and insurmountable. On Thursday I did say this is probably a superficial infection which is not at all uncommon or serious.
One thing you could do is post a photo of your wound for me. Only do make sure that a) it's well in focus and b) has something in the shot to give me an idea of size.

It seems that nobody gave you the recovery articles to read so your missed out so I'll do that before now ....

First are the BoneSmart mantras ....
- rest, elevate, ice and take your pain meds by the clock
- if it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physiotherapist - to do it to you
- if your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again
- if you won't die if it's not done, don't do it
- never stand when you can sit, never sit when you can lie down, never stay awake when you can go to sleep!

And here are some very crucial articles
The importance of managing pain after a TKR and the pain chart
Myth busting: no pain, no gain
Swollen and stiff knee: what causes it?
Activity progression for TKRs

Healing: how long does it take?
Chart representation of TKR recovery
Energy drain for TKRs
Elevation is the key
Ice to control pain and swelling

Home physio (PT) and activity progress: suggestions
Myth busting: the "window of opportunity" in TKR
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds

And wise words from members who have shared their experiences ...
Where are you in recovery?? (TKR)
Five “P’s” of knee recovery
TKR: work “smarter” and not “harder”
Recovering a knee - from one who knows!
It's never too late to get more ROM!
It's worth the wait for ROM

 

[Quee-Knee]

Josephine.....I am working on getting a good picture...easier said than done. The top of incision has started to drain a lot of clear-pale serrous watery drainage. My concern re my knee was the infection spreading from my hip if this antibiotic is not working.......Yes I am suffering from post op blues....maybe more....I think I will call my GP on Monday. The blues are making me more of a glass half empty sort......my mind has been considering all kinds of worst case scenarios....I have got to listen to the wise words spoken here....sometimes I have to be told something more than once...or twice....or....well I will try to both listen and be positive. The only thing I really can do is follow the bonesmart mantra and pray that I have the strength to deal with the outcome. And since I am practicing a positive attitude that outcome will be good!

 

[Josephine]

The top of incision has started to drain a lot of clear-pale serrous watery drainage.

That doesn't sound like it's infected. Just a normal 'healing' kind of ooze.

My concern re my knee was the infection spreading from my hip if this antibiotic is not working.

I think you meant "to" your hip, yes? But it's highly unlikely. You'd have to have lots of purulent green stuff coming out for it to be anywhere near that kind of scenario.

 

[Poppet]

Quee-Knee ... Those post op blues get to most of us.. Go with the flow, they do lift.

Sounds like the possible infection is clearing up, do keep us updated.. We are here to support you

 

[Quee-Knee]

Its been a couple weeks since I last posted. My worst fears came true. The watery drainage I was having was staph and have had 3 surgeries to wash out the wound. The staph is not MRSA so is sensitive to Cephalosporins. I guess that is the only good thing I can find in all of this ordeal. After 2 weeks in the hospital I am home now on both oral and IV antibiotics for 6 weeks. When both my husband and I have asked OS about how this happened....the only thing he could or would say is that skin harbors staph.....ya right....like he is going to admit that something happened in the OR....part of me is angry and another is not going to let this get the best of me. That being said, I do like my OS and did my research before choosing him. Now I am trying to muster enough energy to start looking for a revision specialist.....If I dont need one soon......I believe I will need one eventually. I dont think I have ever been so low in my life.

 

[puddle fish]

I'm so sorry, it must have been and still is a very worrying setback, and I hope it wasn't painful. I hope your feeling a bit better now your at home and internet hugs to you. I hope you keep your strength up and carry on sharing your journey wish I could say more.

 

[Queenie]

Oh Quee-Knee......I'm so so sorry that you had to go through that. It must have been a very scary experience for you. It's such a big step to make the decision to have this op but then when things don't go according to plan your mind spins out of control and takes you to a dark place. I'm really feeling your sadness and want you to know that I'm thinking about you and hope that things take a positive turn for you now.

Why are you looking at a revision specialist? Is this something you need to do or are you thinking of the worst scenario?

If you have the upmost trust in your OS then you have to put this down to you just being unfortunate. I shouldn't think it was lack of care etc. I've been feeling very sorry for myself because my first hip wasn't a total success which put me in 4% of patients. I thought 'why me?'. 4%.......you'd take those odds. So when I made the decision to have my other hip replaced I was very worried. I'm not healing as well as other patients and I'm still concerned that there's a problem with this one but I'll deal with it as time goes on.
You are probably asking yourself...'why me?'.......There is sometimes no answer and no real explanation for these set backs, luckily you managed to get the help you needed and hopefully the infection will clear up with no real damage to your new hip.
I'm not going to tell you to cheer up and be positive because quite frankly you've been through the mill.
Just remember you are not on your own and there will be plenty of folks on BS sending you happy thoughts and love for a speedy recovery.

Take care

Queenie xxx

 

[Poppet]

So sorry to hear you have had such a rough trot, but pleased you are on an antibiotic protocol to treat the staph infection, and that it is not MRSA and yes...

The Mayo Clinic states '' Staph infections are caused by staphylococcus bacteria, a type of germ commonly found on the skin or in the nose of even healthy individuals "

Keep us updated you will get there

 

[Audball]

It will get better. X. Every day I notice a change.

Aud

 

[glynis]

Hi Queen-Knee

I'm so sorry you have an infection. I had one too, and it is a lousy throw of the dice.

I had emergency hip surgery in Peru in January 2010, after an accident on holiday. All seemed to be going relatively OK, until a large lump appeared very suddenly at my incision site. This was a full 18 months later. I didn't know at the time, but a lump like that is very often indicative of infection. (Although I did not have the usually concomitant redness, to which you refer.)

I was referred to a revision specialist, but for various reasons (not least that I was still "functioning" pretty well) I didn't have revision surgery until late 2012. Various tests, including "nuclear medicine" (which was very expensive), eventually revealed that I would have to have the 2-stage revision. Which all sounded pretty daunting.

However, here I am to tell the tale. I got through it. Really, the surgeries themselves were not that arduous.
I do understand, of course, that you have other joint problems, and that will add an extra dimension to your concerns. I was otherwise strong, and relatively fit.

As far as "blame" is concerned, I believe that line of thinking will only lead you down blind alleys. I have been told that a lot of the current medical thinking in the UK is that these infections are caused during the surgery itself. But this does not necessarily mean that anyone has been lax or negligent. We are talking germs here! They are sneaky and opportunistic seemingly beyond comprehension.

Equally, do not let your mind drift along the lines of "If only I hadn't done that...", or "If only... one thousand other things". I have no idea how I came by my infection. I doubt I ever will know. We travel a lot, and usually to under-developed countries, whose hygiene standards lag behind ours. I am as careful as possible on these trips. But maybe that's where I picked the infection up?

On the other hand, these trips are a fundamental part of our enjoyment of life. Should I not go any more? If I cancelled them all tomorrow, knowing my luck, you could be pretty sure I would pick up some new infection at the supermarket, or on a bus trip.

There is still a chance that your antibiotics will clear everything up. You started them pretty soon after the infection was spotted. I'm so sorry you are currently enrolled in the Less Than 2% Club.

All the best.

Glynis

 

[sandybeach]

I really can't add too much more than what has already been said except that I wish you a quick and painless recovery from here on out. These things happen and it's unfortunate but at the same time lucky that the doctors have the means to treat these infections. Take care and get lots of rest.

 

[Weezi]

I am so sorry to hear about your infection Quee-knee. I am thinking of you and will keep you in my prayers.

 

[Quee-Knee]

Thanks for everyone's support. The reason I am looking for a revision specialist, is I was told by my OS that the ball and liner would have to be replaced because with an infection a bacterial film develops over the hardware that cannot be removed. So I had the 3 Irrigation and Debridements fully expecting the ball and liner to be replaced during the last surgery. He did not replace anything during the last surgery because he weighed the risk of fracturing the femur (my joint capsule and tissue are exceptionally tight .....mght have something to do with having 3 freakin surgeries within 10 days!)vs antibiotic therapy. So here I am at home with a PICC line in, a hemovac drain and hip pain...It sure would be easier to deal with this pain....if I knew it was healing pain vs infection pain.

I guess this forum edits profanity...I thought it was rather benign.....

 

[smrt2run]

Don't have much to add, just wanted to wish you all the best!