Knee Infection* Revision

Just found out I will have a ltkr revision. Had original 2\10\2020. Never felt right, tho I did 2 stints with pt. Now after getting many opinions, many test, I have an infection that will require a 2 stage revision. I will have a temporary knee for about 6 weeks as I deal with IV antibiotics. Would love advice. I will not be using my original surgeon as his answers were always more pt. This Dr I have now is one of the few in my area that does revisions.
 
@valgriff2

I’m so sorry to read that you have an infection. You are not alone, I’ll leave a link to other members who also had one and were successful in recovering from one.



A different surgeon is a good idea. Do you also have an Infectious Disease doctor on your team?


By the way, I merged your newest thread with your original recovery thread, as we prefer that members in recovery have only one thread.

This benefits you because all your information is in one place, easy to find, and maintains a nice journal for you.

This also benefits our staff, as your information is all in one place, and we often go back through your thread for previous details, so we know what you‘ve been through which helps us advise you better.

So, please keep all your posts in this thread. If you’d like a new title, let us know what you want, and we’ll change it for you.

Many members bookmark their thread in their computer browser, so they can find it when they log on.
How can I find my threads and posts?

Best wishes on your continuing recovery! :flwrysmile:
 
If you have a date for the revision, please tell us, and we’ll add it to your signature. :flwrysmile:
 
No date yet. How do the antibiotic work they put thru the picC line? do.you do them at home?
 
Normally the medication is administered at home. A home health nurse should visit at least weekly to check the port. Training is provided prior to going home with the PICC line so that you know how to protect and clean the port as well as administer the medication.
 
I’m so sorry you have to deal with this! I had the same situation where it took me way too long to find a revision specialist. I wish more folks would realize sooner that getting another opinion is best. Good luck!
 
I have my date. August 22. Went for a load of bloodwork and am now confused. Surgeon said my white blood count was over 11000. Today, my blood showed it was in normal range. My SED rate was at 50 which registered high. Wouldn't I have a higher WBC if infected? I've had a 3phase bone scan which lit up my whole knee area. MRI and CT scan showed same. This is the only surgeon in my area that does revisions.....its also the 3rd ortho I have been to. I got my own second opinion as my original surgeon would only ever prescribe PT which never made my knee feel better.
 
I am so sorry you are going through this. If it is ok, could you share the new doctor's name. I live in Orange county and would like for 2nd opinion.
 
Landon brown at Orthopedics of Dutchess County
 
So......trying to do a million things before this surgery. Oil change, dog groomer, Heart Dr wants a chemical 2 day stress test. I'm petrified after reading stories about it. I'm terrified of this upcoming surgery, the PICC line, the surgery again for a whole new knee replacement when the infection is gone.
My mom is 87 and lives with me and my husband. She is in stage 4 kidney failure, going blind and is in rehab for a few weeks as she broke her wrist in a fall. I'm still trying to settle her affairs and sell her mobile home.
I feel like I'm in a downward spiral and I can't get back up. I'm so afraid of all these procedures. Can anyone help settle my nerves?
 
I’m so sorry you have so much to deal with. Sending hugs and prayers.
:console2: :prayer:
 
I just went through what you are about to start. I had an infection in my knee replacement joint. Had the 2 stage revision surgery done. I Was admitted to the hospital on April 18, they did surgery the next day. I had no chance to get anything prepared at home as I thought l was being referred to this specialist for a consult, not being admitted.

After 8 days in the hospital, I was sent home with a pic line for the vancomycin IV daily, a long brace on my leg, and told absolutely no weight on my leg. So PT taught me how to use the walker and” hop” on my good leg. At age 75 my good leg wasn’t going to do it. That was probably the hardest part of the whole thing. I used a wheelchair to move around and the walker to get to the chair, toilet, etc. The IV was for 6 weeks, a home nurse came weekly to change the dressing and draw blood. Also, a PT and OT came a few times. The drugs were sent by ups and a pharmacist was in contact with me weekly. I was able to get the new knee replacement surgery on June 28, after 4 days in the hospital, l went home with a brace on the leg and 6 weeks of oral antibiotics. This time I was able to put weight on the surgery leg and that felt so good. The brace was more to protect the surgery wounds as the leg had been cut open twice so close together.

I go back to the surgeon tomorrow, July 25, to have the staples removed and have a one-time only visit with a PT to go over the hinged knee replacement that l got. The surgeon told me because I got the hinged knee, it will bend real easy and PT isn’t needed. Wahoo! Apparently, the infection l had made a regular replacement unstable so the surgeon switched to the hinged type mid-surgery. One other complication l had was that on June 2 it was discovered that the temporary knee replacement stuff that l had in was dislocated. They had to put me in surgery to put it back, fortunately, they were able to fix it without cutting open the knee, but they were totally prepared for it. The dislocation contributed to the unstable knee issues when the surgeon was doing the replacement and why he decided to use the hinged knee replacement. From what I have read, they often use the hinged for people that have had infections. The PT is going to go over the difference between the two and how to rehab. Sorry, this got so long but thought you might like to read my whole journey since I am just ending what you are beginning. If you go to my first post, there may be more information. My original TKR was in January 2018.
 
Additional information , l was referred by my local orthopedic doctor to a revision specialist for this surgery . From all l read about it , it’s important to get a surgeon that specializes in revision because it has a better outcome if the surgeon has done many many of these . The one I had sees patients from all over including other states . Weird thing , it was in a fairly small hospital , and he was the only knee surgeon . I think he only does revision surgery .
 
Thank you so much. How were your pain levels?
 
l got my 80 staples out today . There was a little surface bleeding in one spot on the knee , the doctor closed it up with steri strips and told me not to bend much so that can heal . He also canceled the PT visit l was to have today . Said he didn’t want them bending on it . I go back in 2 weeks for X-rays. To answer your question about pain , the first part of the revision was pretty painful . I was in the hospital for 8 days and it was so painful to move, they had the commode and chair right next to the bed and it took 2 people to move me . I remember when I was done being moved pain was minimal . My second surgery , when they put in the final knee , pain was a lot less . I was in the hospital 4 days , after day 1 , l was able to move myself around ,but had to have some one there beside me ,hospital rules .lt was slow going but not really painful after I got done moving around . Now 4 weeks out l have no pain . The biggest pain was after the first surgery,l couldn’t put any weight on the leg ! That was so hard . Trying to hop on one foot was no fun . Looking back , l believe the pain l had overall was a lot less than I expected !
 
Thank you. I'm so glad you are recovering well and I'm hoping it continues for you. Thank you for the honesty too....gives me a better understanding.
 
he surgeon told me because I got the hinged knee, it will bend real easy and PT isn’t needed.
I have a hinged knee, I had no problem with ROM. I did go to PT to work on strengthening, balance and gait.
If you need help with any of those areas, you may benefit from a short course of PT.
Chris
 
So I'm second guessing this whole procedure. What would happen if I did not have surgery? Obviously my body has kept it contained to the knee area for 2 years.
 

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