Knee Infection* Revision #3 Journey

@Pumpkin, thanks for the quick response. I’m responding here as this is the main recovery thread.

My new OS is working with the specialist to make the appointment. Evidently, they have 15 days to respond to the referral request. I expect the appointment will be in early September.

I’m waiting to hear what OS wants to do about the elevated Eos and C-Reactive Protein. In the meantime, I am resting as much as I can and trying not to stress out too much
 
Threads merged.
:fingersx: you receive an appointment with the specialist soon!
 
In the meantime, I am resting as much as I can and trying not to stress out too much
I’m sorry you have this additional issue. You’ve been through a lot. :console2:
 
I am still waiting to hear from my PCP re additional pain meds. I am going to be at their office first thing in the morning to strongly request a RX. The pain is getting worse. It’s spread to the groin area.

I know a broken femur is a risk with Osteoporosis meds. I wonder how many women break the femur and then get Osteoporosis? I was absolutely floored when the DEXA T score was a -2.7 for the femur.

Here’s a bit of a rant. The pain is 9.5 unless I am reclined with my legs out straight. I don’t know what happened. I did fall back in April and didn’t really give it much thought. I was more focused on the miracle that I was able to get up by myself without assistance. There was no immediate pain or bruising or other indication of a problem. Things started going downhill in May and are still getting worse. The newest pain is in the groin area when I sit or stand for more than 10 minutes.

The local OS is working on a referral to the Joint Replacement Department at the University of West Virginia. I hope to hear something by the end of next week. My other options include Cleveland Clinic, John’s Hopkins, or Mayo (Rochester). I moved to West Virginia in June and love it. The availability of advanced medical care isn’t so great, though.

Any ideas or suggestions for coping would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading!
 
I wonder how many women break the femur and then get Osteoporosis?
It is more likely they had undiagnosed osteoporosis, when they fractured their hip, then osteoporosis was diagnosed.

Rest, elevation, ice, and pain medications as prescribed will probably provide you with the best pain relief.
You may also find a knee compression sleeve helps with pain,
 
I finally saw my PCP and got a script for Lortab (7.5 Hydrocodone and 325mg Tylenol) I can only get enough for a week. I have to call on day 5 and go get the script as narcotics cannot be called.

I also checked in with the OS (who’s office is in the same office) and got an update on the blood work results. The C-Reactive Protein is elevated which is an inflammation marker. It could left over from a bout of cellulitis in July OR a new problem.

The OS has referred me to a joint replacement specialist at the University of West Virginia in Morgantown (3.5 hours away). The appointment is September 27 at 12:30. I figure I am looking at another revision. What a bummer!

I have gone back to using a cane when I am out and about. Inside, I use the walls :0

Does this sound familiar to anyone? Any other ideas or suggestions?
 
@celynda
Sounds like they are doing all the right things, take it easy with cruising the walls in your home. Hope the pain medication helps make your life more comfortable until you see the surgeon in September.
 
Last night in the shower, I slipped and landed on my hands and knees. OUCH! I hit my chin on the faucet and now have two stitches and a swollen chin and jaw. The pain is tolerable with the Lortab. The ED took xRays and the ED doc said nothing was broken but the bones looked “weak.” It was almost like he didn’t understand what he was seeing…

Now I have another CD of images to take to Morgantown. Going to tomorrow to pick up the 2nd Lortab script. Also, talking with the GYN about the Osteoporosis DX. I can’t believe I have Osteoporosis and a broken femur.

Starting to panic at the thought of having SX again without a local support system. I have a feeling I’ll be paying out of pocket for more home health/nursing help than approved by insurance.
 
I’m so sorry you fell and hurt yourself so badly. :console2::console2:
The ED took xRays and the ED doc said nothing was broken but the bones looked “weak.” It was almost like he didn’t understand what he was seeing…
Hang in there, your specialist in September will probably be more qualified to read these. Maybe call them and tell them you fell and ask if they can put you on a cancellation list and maybe get in sooner?
 
I am on the cancellation list so will cross my fingers. In the meantime, I’m resting and trying to take it easy.
 
@celynda So sorry to hear about your fall! That must have been very scary. I do hope you can get in to see someone quickly. Hang in there!
 
Met with MD this week to discuss osteoporosis TX. Going to defer any treatment until after seeing specialist in late September. Need to be off Osteoporosis meds for six months before orthopedic surgery. I’ll worry about it in 2023.

The Lortab is doing a good job controlling the pain of both the knee and bruises from the fall. I’m still working (from home). The meds do reduce my sharpness a bit. Oh, well. At least I can still work.
 
Saw new OS in Morgantown, WVA (Adam Klein). He is very personable and seemed interested in my case. He confirmed what Dr H in Orlando said: the implant is well fitted and the femur has healed. If there’s not an infection, there’s nothing he can offer.

Wait for it….

Bloodwork was ordered and C Reactive Protein was 38.6 up from 25 6 weeks ago. Normal is 8. The Sed rate should be under 20 and mine is 32; up from 30. He mentioned doing an aspiration to confirm. :censored::hairpulling::gaah:

Not sure if he’ll do surgery anytime soon as my BMI is 49 and their cutoff is 40. Which means losing 35-40 pounds.

I’m going to review some of the infection threads here for a glimpse into my future.

Please send good thoughts and wishes. Any insight would be helpful too.
 
I’m so sorry. :console2: How can he not do surgery to clear out an infection, regardless of a certain BMI?
 
I will be praying for your and your doctor's guidance. :prayer:
 
@Jamie, thanks for your perspective in the private message. Thought I'd respond here to keep all my thoughts in one place. The latest xrays (taken 9/27) loosening which per the OS could be as a result of an infection. I had the R knee aspirated today. The fluid was a little bloody with no signs of pus. Now, we wait 14 days to see what, if any, grows. I've also started counting fat grams as part of the CDC diabetes 2 prevention program. I've done this program before and lost 40 pounds. It's fairly easy to follow and counting fat grams is a lot easier than counting carbs. I really love bread and bagels and you can bagels with 1g of fat and if I make bread, it won't have any fat (except for what you put on the bread.)

Dr Klein (OS at UWVa) won't operate (even for an infection clean out) unless/until the BMI is at 40 (mine is 49). I spoke with Ashur Wissi at HSS and he said some of the surgeons have a hard cut off and some don't. I've sent my records and x-rays to them to start the ball rolling for an appointment. It could be January before I'm scheduled so more time to lower the BMI. I can't taken advantage of the $500 consultant because West VA doesn't allow virtual out of state medical consultations. This means I'd have to get myself to NY for a F2F appointment. It's about an 8 hour drive which is doable.

In the meantime, I am using a cane (Prime Stick from Amazon) and managing pain with Extra Strength Tylenol, NSAIDs and hydrocodone (Lortab, 7.5-325 every 4 - 6 hours.) My PCP writes a RX for a 30 day supply. I am still not very active and it's easy to overdo and regret it the next day.

Part of me wants there to be an infection because then we have a definite plan of action. If there's no infection, then the elevated SED and CRP numbers mean something else is going on AND I'm still messing with a painful knee with a "probable" loose implant. Am I nuts to want a resolution that means two more surgeries?

The community here is awesome. Thanks so much for letting me rant, vent, and pour out my confused thoughts. I know someday, I'll look back and wonder what all the fuss was about.
 
Thanks for posting all this valuable information here on your thread so others can help support you in whatever challenges you're going to face. Plus, your story will undoubtedly help others who may come along with similar issues.

It helps sometimes to have a safe place to rant when things are so involved. No one judges you here and we all understand (at least on some level) what you're going through. I'm amazed at your organization and positive spirit. This will serve you well in the weeks ahead.

Please continue to let us know how you're doing. We're in your corner and will be here to help in whatever ways we can.
 

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