Knee Infection* Question about Infection

[jeffreyclay]

I've developed an infection in the meaty layer just below the incision of my LTKR. It appeared out of no where. The Dr asked if I'd any dental work done, etc. I recall from the "Joint Camp" class the nurse mentioned that infections will gravitate toward the joint replacement sites. Does this include things such as a sinus infection when we catch a bad cold or a sheet metal cut on a finger that becomes infected? How does one guard against over use of antibiotics (and reduced effectiveness) with so many threats? I wasn't even aware of any pending problem when this infection in my knee developed.

 

[RunA42K]

Jeffrey, I am only aware that the dental work can cause the infection, and have been told that it is quite low at that, but worth pre medicating just the same. I have also been told by my OS, that colds, flu, upper respiratory infections and the like will not affect your joint. As far a a cut I would only think that if you had a 'badly infected cut' that bacteria could be strong enough to get into your blood stream, but what are the odds that you'd let a cut get badly infected anyway? Not much I am sure! I know two people here in Houston, co-workers spouses of my husband who have come down with infections just out of the blue, no explanation months after surgery. I wonder sometimes if there can be the ever so slightest amount of contamination at the point of surgery that just takes time to fester and show itself. I am sure that Jo would be the expert on that though. So sorry to hear this though, what is the first line of treatment for you?

 

[Josephine]

There is an article in the Library Late onset infection in joint replacements from dental work, etc.

It's actually just a theory. When 'late onset infections' occurred, they had to have an answer so they came up with some theories and pretty soon, those theories were being bandied about as facts! Read the article.

 

[jeffreyclay]

They have me on Keflex anti-biotic. 500mg X4 a day. I have a visit scheduled with the OS two days after starting the protocol that will run 14 days. They took blood work and aspirated the joint on my first visit. We'll see how it goes tomorrow.

Thanks for the article on antibiotics.:biggrin:

 

[Jamie]

Jeffreyclay.....let us know how you're doing when you have time to post. I hope the infection is getting better.

 

[jeffreyclay]

Hi all, the infection is slowly clearing up. It is now day 6 of the anti-biotic protocol. The redness is almost gone and the muscle soreness is reduced. I've added my own precautionary measure. After I shower each morning I wipe down the leg with a pre-surgery cleanser. It's a 4% Chlorohexidine Gluconate solution that I found at CVS drug store.
9 more days of the anti-biotic to go and it looks like that will take care of things. I'll keep you posted. :biggrin:

 

[Jamie]

Good news!

 

[jeffreyclay]

As I mentioned earlier the signs of infection are going away except for the swelling and stiffness. This knee has almost no range of movement. I left rehab with 120 degrees and now anything more than 20 degrees brings tears. I'll be asking lots of questions when I see the OS in 5 days. Has anyone here encountered a setback like this?

 

[Josephine]

Did you stop your exercises when you got the infection? :skeptical:

 

[jeffreyclay]

I did stop exercising the right leg due to the pain involved and nearly zero ROM. I continued to work each day with a cane. The job involves a good amount of walking and standing. Today for some reason was especially painful and the Hydrocodone pills haven't made a dent in the pain (2 at wake up and 2 at lunch) I'm continuing keeping active and attempt stretches of my right knee. My knee is like a block of cement

 

[Pumpkin]

Hi Jeffery,
Sorry to hear about the pain and ROM, hope it clears up soon. You may want to call the OS before your appointment.
BTW the closest PF Flyer store to me is two hours away, running faster and jumping higher will have to wait.

 

[jeffreyclay]

Hi Jeffery,
Sorry to hear about the pain and ROM, hope it clears up soon. You may want to call the OS before your appointment.
BTW the closest PF Flyer store to me is two hours away, running faster and jumping higher will have to wait.

I didn't know if they still made that brand of sneaker! I was "visiting my past" when I remembered that slogan from their ad.:happy dance:

 

[jeffreyclay]

What a difference another day makes! Add ice packs and elevation, rest to that as well. I awoke this morning noticing that I was "bounding" out of bed almost like I used to. I would estimate my ROM to be around 55 degrees and now feel confident it will continue to improve to where I was before the infection. 3 days left on the protocol of anti-biotics.
Oh and I almost forgot to mention this about the PF Flyers. "Tell Mom they're machine washable, she'll like that!"
Best to everyone, may God bless you all.

 

[bottomshollow]

Isn't it GREAT what a little ice, elevation, rest, and time can accomplish!!! So happy that things are looking up, up, up for you. Keep us in the loop about what's going on with you. Judy

 

[Pumpkin]

Glad you are feeling better!
:happy dance: Soon we will be running faster, jumping higher, in our PF flyers.

 

[Josephine]

Great!

 

[jeffreyclay]

Saw the OS and learned something new. Infection was gone and he was trying to explain in layman's terms about the fluid retention in my thigh area. Seems there is some sort of sack surrounding the muscles and fluid is present there. In my case, the sack isn't allowing the fluid to leave and the muscle feels bound and compressed. Focused Exercise will bring this back to normal. In my PT session the therapist applied heat and worked the muscle to release the fluid by massage. We also did some grueling flexion exercises that took my 60 degree knee to 83 degree on that visit. I'm typing this, waiting for the pain meds to crest before I do the knee bends here at home. I WILL get this knee back to 120 degree!
Josephine, how would you describe this "sack" and it's role in our physiology?

 

[Josephine]

What he was referring to is that when fluid (including pus) collects in a spot, the body's defense system reacts by enclosing it in a capsule of fibrous tissue to keep it contained.

TMI? :wink1:
It's actually a pretty successful manoeuvre, producing what we more commonly call an abscess. The success of this is that as the war of infection continues, the body will either totally absorb all the product of the infection or may produce more pus. If the latter, this, like all fluid, will make its way through the path of least resistance, ultimately to the skin where it 'points' and becomes that familiar angry red and extremely painful bulge. A small version of this on the face you may recognise as a zit, of course! When the zit or abscess reaches the surface, it ruptures and releases the pus, thereby allowing the whole thing to settle down and heal.