- Joined
- Jun 26, 2017
- Messages
- 47,904
- Gender
- Female
- Country
United States
Knee Infection* Revision #3 Journey
- Thread starter celynda
- Start date
What a blessing to get in so quickly! Please know that you are being prayed for.
That is an impressive response from HSS. Here’s hoping this bodes well for how things are going to proceed. I can’t wait to hear more once you’ve had your appointment. We’ll all be right there in your back pocket for support.
So very happy to hear this for you! Such good news!
celynda
senior
21 Dec Update (After HSS visit) ~
My goal for the appointments was to get a plan and I have a plan. The appointment with Dr Andy Miller (ID) went well. He suspects an active PJI (Post Joint Infection) with sinus drainage. He supported the current wound care and antibiotic regimens. He ordered and MRI and blood work (CRP and Sed Rate).
I then saw Brian Chalmers who did the revision in May. He agreed with Miller’s orders. As the drainage is not extensive and I am asymptotic (no fever), there’s nothing emergent to be done. If the infection worsens, HSS’s plan would be two washout surgeries within a week. We can‘t do anything about the implant (revision) until/unless the infection is removed.
The MRI is scheduled for 12/26 at University of Virginia in Charlottesville (2 hours away). I’m okay with the distance as it gives me an opportunity to go to Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods and other “big city” stores. My local hospital’s MRI can’t handle the metal. I’ll do the bloodwork next week as well. I’ll send the CD to HSS as I get it.
I asked about PT and he supported that as well with a focus on quad and hip muscles, rather than the knee.
I’m getting a locking brace next week as well. I’l have to pay for it as the doctor’s notes don’t say I have a knee instability. In addition, the fact I have a “knee immobilizer” means I may not be eligible for another brace for years. I don’t understand this and could probably get HSS to submit better notes. The brace price isn’t bad so I’ll just cover it.
This is good news - going into 2024 with a plan.
My goal for the appointments was to get a plan and I have a plan. The appointment with Dr Andy Miller (ID) went well. He suspects an active PJI (Post Joint Infection) with sinus drainage. He supported the current wound care and antibiotic regimens. He ordered and MRI and blood work (CRP and Sed Rate).
I then saw Brian Chalmers who did the revision in May. He agreed with Miller’s orders. As the drainage is not extensive and I am asymptotic (no fever), there’s nothing emergent to be done. If the infection worsens, HSS’s plan would be two washout surgeries within a week. We can‘t do anything about the implant (revision) until/unless the infection is removed.
The MRI is scheduled for 12/26 at University of Virginia in Charlottesville (2 hours away). I’m okay with the distance as it gives me an opportunity to go to Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods and other “big city” stores. My local hospital’s MRI can’t handle the metal. I’ll do the bloodwork next week as well. I’ll send the CD to HSS as I get it.
I asked about PT and he supported that as well with a focus on quad and hip muscles, rather than the knee.
I’m getting a locking brace next week as well. I’l have to pay for it as the doctor’s notes don’t say I have a knee instability. In addition, the fact I have a “knee immobilizer” means I may not be eligible for another brace for years. I don’t understand this and could probably get HSS to submit better notes. The brace price isn’t bad so I’ll just cover it.
This is good news - going into 2024 with a plan.
It must be a tremendous relief to finally have a plan in place, @celynda. I'm so glad you were able to be seen by seen quickly and hope your MRI reveals more actionable information.
We will all be sending you positive thoughts and prayers as you continue this journey. Best wishes for a happy and healthy new year.
We will all be sending you positive thoughts and prayers as you continue this journey. Best wishes for a happy and healthy new year.
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2022
- Messages
- 3,063
- Age
- 70
- Gender
- Female
- Country
- United Kingdom
Good Luck and sending positive wishes.
I think you are doing amazingly in the face of all your challenges.
Coping with 2 hour drives still makes me a bit anxious- you are so strong!
I think you are doing amazingly in the face of all your challenges.
Coping with 2 hour drives still makes me a bit anxious- you are so strong!
celynda
senior
I’m not looking forward to the drive either. While it IS all on interstate highways (M roads), I have to cross a couple of mountains. So fingers crossed for good weather.
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2017
- Messages
- 47,904
- Gender
- Female
- Country
- United States
CatieViv
senior
Wow! Thankfully I don't have mountains to cross when I travel a couple of hours away. How diverse the landscape is in Canada and the US!
I’m glad your appointments went well. It sounds like the doctors are going to actively support you and deal with your concerns. Hope you enjoy your Christmas! Going into 2024 with a plan sounds like a winner.
So happy that you've got a plan coming together.. That has to feel good to you and maybe you can have less to fret about.`
Now that is a great way to begin a New Year.!
celynda
senior
Dec 29 Update ~ The trip to Charlottesville was successful. Before the MRI, I had a grand time shopping at Costco, Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s. I took a cooler and filled it up. The back of the car was full of goodies.
The HSS docs have the results. Dr Chalmers said, “I saw the MRI…
I was going to call you to discuss having some of your care locally with one of our HSS former fellows that is at UVA - obviously happy to see you anytime as well, but having someone to go to more locally and to coordinate care and ID is important I think.”
I let him know I was open to seeing anyone he recommended and appreciated the option of returning to HSS if needed.
“Tracy Borsinger at UVA said she can see you and coordinate with their ID team there and communicate with me regularly”
He’s going to call next week with the plan. Since he didn’t say the MRI looked good, I‘m thinking the MRI showed a sinus tract or other problem.
@Jamie - do you have any information about Tracy Borsinger at UVA? Seeing a female Ortho will be a new experience for me.
The lab results were mixed:
On another note, during my wound care visit this week, I realized I couldn’t feel the PA aggressively debriefing the two open spots. I can now add Nueropathy to my list of problems. Hopefully, it’s temporary and will go away as the nerves cut during the various surgeries regenerate. I still have the shooting pains into my ankle along with swelling. The HSS docs think the swelling is related to the infection.
Thanks for reading and your support. This forum is a godsend! May 2024 be a better year.
The HSS docs have the results. Dr Chalmers said, “I saw the MRI…
I was going to call you to discuss having some of your care locally with one of our HSS former fellows that is at UVA - obviously happy to see you anytime as well, but having someone to go to more locally and to coordinate care and ID is important I think.”
I let him know I was open to seeing anyone he recommended and appreciated the option of returning to HSS if needed.
“Tracy Borsinger at UVA said she can see you and coordinate with their ID team there and communicate with me regularly”
He’s going to call next week with the plan. Since he didn’t say the MRI looked good, I‘m thinking the MRI showed a sinus tract or other problem.
@Jamie - do you have any information about Tracy Borsinger at UVA? Seeing a female Ortho will be a new experience for me.
The lab results were mixed:
- CBC was normal
- Sed rate was normal
- CRP was elevated at 19 (10 is normal)
On another note, during my wound care visit this week, I realized I couldn’t feel the PA aggressively debriefing the two open spots. I can now add Nueropathy to my list of problems. Hopefully, it’s temporary and will go away as the nerves cut during the various surgeries regenerate. I still have the shooting pains into my ankle along with swelling. The HSS docs think the swelling is related to the infection.
Thanks for reading and your support. This forum is a godsend! May 2024 be a better year.
2024 will be a better year for you. You are on the road to recovery having great doctors on your team! We will be following your progress! God bless you!
This sounds good. I’m not familiar with this surgeon, but if she comes with an HSS recommendation, I’d say she’ll be a good one for you. I hope you can get in to see her soon. Please let us know how things go and post if you have any questions or concerns.
celynda
senior
I had a good conversation with Dr Chalmers this week. The blood work was okay and the MRI didn’t show any sinus tract. With the infection suppressed under the current antibiotic plan, there is nothing urgent to be done. Should things change, he had a couple of ideas neither of which included an amputation 
.
I have an appointment with Dr Tracy Borsinger (UVA) on Jan 30. I’ve also requested Dr Miller to send a referral to their ID group to get established with them as well.
Dr Chalmers remains on my case should a consult or return visit is required. Dr Borsinger comes highly recommended even though she is relatively inexperienced orthopedic surgeon having completed her residency in 2022 and the HSS fellowship in 2023. The BoneSmart philosophy is to seek out the most qualified and experienced OS available. I am glad to have HSS as a backup.
.I have an appointment with Dr Tracy Borsinger (UVA) on Jan 30. I’ve also requested Dr Miller to send a referral to their ID group to get established with them as well.
Dr Chalmers remains on my case should a consult or return visit is required. Dr Borsinger comes highly recommended even though she is relatively inexperienced orthopedic surgeon having completed her residency in 2022 and the HSS fellowship in 2023. The BoneSmart philosophy is to seek out the most qualified and experienced OS available. I am glad to have HSS as a backup.
While I realize they need to get experience, I’d want a doctor with a lot more experience taking care of me, in a case this serious. Just my opinion.
