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Knee Infection staph infection on LTKA

Skygirl,
Sorry to hear you are having problems after your fall.
Everyone heals differently, so can't really say how long it will take the soft tissue that was damaged to heal.
Follow the OS instructions to Rest, Ice, Elevate, keep it straight, and pain medication on schedule as prescribed.
I will tag @KarriB and @newlybionic for you.
Keep us posted on how you are doing.
 
I'm sorry to hear of this recent complication. I was in an immbolizer brace for 4 weeks after my infection/wash out/spacer exchange,(also staph) so no bending for a month. When I did begin to bend it was very easy, non-aggressive bending of heel slides and walking around the house with a bent knee. It did feel stiff, but eventually it did bend. I think I was it was about 3 weeks after being allowed to bend that I got a full rotation on the bike.
 
Oh no KarriB,
You have had quite a time of it
I hope I don't have to start over after this fall, wearing the immobilizer is bad enough and then starting my flexion again after reaching full flexion is horrible. I'm hoping I can be back at work after 6 weeks
 
Hi Skygirl. I'm sorry that you have been going through so much with your knee. I am currently dealing with a MRSA infection in my right knee post TKR. My OS hasn't put my knee in an immobilizer at all however I was so sick for a number of weeks after my washout and spacer exchange I wasn't moving much at all. Due to other medical complications I had minimal pain medications available to me. I wound up starting at 70 degrees post op and I'm moving very slowly. I have decided that instead of focusing on the numbers I'm focusing on what I can do. Currently I am working on walking correctly (heel through toe) and at a normal rate of speed.

My OS pushed out my return to work by 3 weeks to give me some more time to recuperate. I have to be on my feet 8 to 10 hours a day. That would make by total weeks out at 16. If for some reason I can go back sooner I will. I suggest that it worth taking the time now to get your knee in the best possible shape before going back to work.
 
I began bending Dec. 26 and was able to return to teaching part time Jan. 29th. So I felt that was a pretty fast recovery after non-bending for a month.
 
@newlybionic...I didn't have an immobilizer after my revision but was immobilized with a walker after the first revision surgery where they put the antibiotic blocks in for 6 weeks. After the 2nd revision surgery where they put the new prosthetic in, I just had to take it slow since it was uncemeted due to all my allergic reactions to so many things. Luckily, no signs of infection after revision! Hang in there, you got this,after all you've been through, the light at the end of the tunnel is closer.

@Josephine what is your experience with bad falls after uncemented tkr? How long, on average is the soft tissue healing process? Does the flexion return to what I had before, or will I need to start over again increasing my flexion? How long should an immobilizer be worn since I fell on my patella? Just need some reassurance this is not going to be too long off work (international flight attendant), was loving being back to work after 2,5 years of pain!
 
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When I had my revision on my left knee( not the one with the infection), the OS used an uncemented prosthesis. At that time I was told that at approximately 14 weeks the bone had grown into the knee making it strong.
 
@newlybionic, that is very good to hear, thanks for that information. At least I know the knee is strong, just wish the surrounding tissue would heal
 
I had no surrounding circumstances that gave me an uncemented prosthesis other than my OS likes to do it this way on younger patients - but I specifically remember him telling me the only downside is...the "aching" stays around longer. I asked how long and he said 6-8 months - he said, "when the seniors are doing circles around you, don't get discouraged " lol. I do know that my X-rays show the tibia part as not going anywhere anytime soon!! And, yes, I had my 2nd set of X-rays at 12 weeks and my OS said the bone growth was solid and looked good.
 
@jaschembra
Haha, yes, my mom's friends can't understand why my knee is taking so long lol
Doc says my knee isn't going anywhere and it seems my knee is starting to settle and I can bend it a bit more...hopefully all will be OK soon! Luckily the operation was in Nov so the bone has grown around the prosthetic.
 
Thanks Carol
Not as stressed as I was before....doesn't look like another operation, thank God!
 
Thank goodness Karin!!! Maybe I will see you in ICN this fall :-)
 
Wow... a BSmartie meetup in Shanghai... can't beat that (even if we are almost neighbors!!)


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