Knee Infection* The girl with the two fake knees

[skigirl]

If your OS will not see you, I think you need to go to an emergency room and be seen by someone!! The emergency room doctor can call in the specialists you need to see to that wound. I am horrified that they did not at least call Home Health so that a nurse would see you daily and help with wound care. What is wrong with your OS?

 

[Josephine]

I usually do this with clean cotton swabs to prevent contamination.

This is my concern - they shouldn't just be clean, they should be sterile.

It's so deep now though, I can't see what's down there, so I just sop up the blood and drainage, wash it in the shower, and do the packing and dressing.

And this is another concern of mine. If you're not getting the packing down to the very bottom of the cavity, you end up with a well of fluid there which is prime for a bacterial soup! In order for this kind of treatment to be effective, it has to be right down the bottom there but only a suitably qualified person can do that for you, it's not something you can do yourself. Well anyway, I wouldn't care to do that on myself!

 

[kneeper]

It does sound like this needs to be seen by a professional.

 

[sistersinhim]

Yes, please see a specialist asap! Your knee and overall health depend on it.

 

[zzevi]

I went back later today to read some of your posts, your situations sounds so much like my own. Spot of incision just doesn't heal shut, continues to get bigger and deeper.

First, be assertive at this point, you have something wrong and you need to get it cleared up. You may need a wound care doctor and they are wonderful at what they do and their knowledge. I think I wore my wound vac about a month maybe a little longer but had to give it up a bit early as I developed irritated skin, that felt like a rug burn to my good skin that was covered, but don't fear even when this happened those doc's had things up their sleeve to keep my knee healing and moving forward. The wound vac I got was a rental unit the dr. set me up with.

I was concerned when I found out I had infection that I may have ruined my need knee replacement, but thank god I had a slight infection. I had no drainage to mine, no redness, swelling, or heat given off that area and still had infection. In fact the Dr's that looked at it prior to the wound care Dr, said yes it's not healing but it's not infected. One thing about the wound care Dr, they believe at starting at square one, and that is checking for any underlying infections, or if you are a diabetic.

Also, all PT had to be stopped as they didn't want any additional pressure and stress put on the wound. Even after mine healed I was asked to not go back to PT or stretching on it till the wound skin had thickened.

We're all very concerned, I know I am. Keep us all up to date on your current situation.

Actually another thing with the wound Dr, was I could shower but I had to cover my dressing with press and seal wrap which actually works and holds better than Saran wrap when showering, they didn't want any bath water getting into the wound. All dressing changes were done in a sterile environment. I went to our local hospital twice a week for packing of the wound and they measure it each time, and for the dressings to be applied (so I know you spoke about bathing and letting the water run over the area. I did prior or in the early days also, but after seeing wound care Dr, that had to stop.)

 

[ACDCJen]

Thank you @zzevi especially since I know you've gone through this.

It has not gotten any deeper today, still at 5cm. I did not go to my OS, but I will seek emergency care this weekend if anything changes. I notice less "stuff" in the hole, and I am no longer using swabs to clean it. I did get some sterile, packaged swabs from the doctor's office and I use those to measure. I clean the scissors and tweezers (used for the gauze) with alcohol before and after each use. And I wash my hands thoroughly too! I had my mom get waterproof bandages and I'll use press and seal during showers from now on. At my appointment, I will ask for a swab for infection, a referral to a wound specialist, a wound vac, and increased assistance with packing the wound. I did use a lot of gauze wrap (about 14 inches), wetted it with the Dakin's solution, and packed it in until it wouldn't go no mo'!

I'm okay with this for now, but I won't hesitate to go to emergency if something changes. I am happy that the drainage seems to be less. I'm sure my OS would want me to at least give the Dakin's chance to work. I'll also make sure they unpack it and then repack it at my appointment next week.

Please don't worry too much about me!! I did have another length of stitch come out from the bottom of the scar, nowhere near the hole. I pulled it and clipped it. This was clear. I wonder if the stitches are just being rejected for some reason? Or if that's even a thing.

I'm really ok!!!! I'm doing ok with my cane too!! I have a lot to be positive about.

Jen

 

[zzevi]

I think if I remember correctly, your appt is the 10th that's not to far off at this point.
It became expensive when I was buying bandages and butterfly strips on my own, not that the other treatment wasn't costly, but at least insurance covered it and I was getting monitored and checked often that we were heading in the right direction. Sounds like your getting all your ducks in a row for when you have your appt.
I'll continue to follow your progress and updates.

 

[little red canoe]

Love your positive attitude despite things that would throw mere mortals off a cliff... reminds me how fortunate I am..

 

[Josephine]

I did have another length of stitch come out from the bottom of the scar, nowhere near the hole. I pulled it and clipped it. This was clear. I wonder if the stitches are just being rejected for some reason? Or if that's even a thing.

This material certainly can be rejected by the human body, especially if the suture used is too thick and therefore reluctant to dissolve. What you appear to have removed is a size 1.0 gauge while in my experience, sutures in that area should be much finer, a 2/0 gauge though I realise this means nothing to you! (the gauge goes 1.0, 0, 2/0. 3/0 and so on)

 

[FlaGranny]

Years ago I had a breast biopsy and had an internal stitch do that. Wound opened, lots of puss, and then a suture came out and then it healed without a problem.

 

[Josephine]

puss

@FlaGranny - that 'puss' is a kitty cat

The sticky yellow/green stuff that comes out of an infected wound is pus!

 

[julesm86]

Oh Jen, I'm so sorry you're dealing with this!!! I'll be praying for you that it starts to heal & that you can get in with an ID doc soon!!!

 

[FlaGranny]

Josephine,

 

[gazelle7777]

@ACDCJen On to your new life with a pain free knee! You go girl! Sending you lots of healing wishes! Joan

 

[ACDCJen]

I would much rather have a cat come out of the hole than pus!

So, no major changes in the last few days...no fever, no real change in the wound, following protocol, etc, but increased odor. Had a marathon OS appt today followed by CAT scan. The OS took a swab for infection (I didn't have to ask). He seemed worried about the tunnelling, of which I can find 3, one is now 6 cm deep, an increase from 5 cm. It has deepened by 1.2 cm since my appt last week...not good at all. He does not want the hole to affect my implant, so he ordered the scan to see how far the tunnels go and if there are any other pockets to worry about. I just have to wait for the results of the culture and the scan to see what the next steps are. He is hoping the Dakin's and packing will work but if it doesn't, he said he may have to go in and open up the wound, expose the tunnels, and put in a wound vac. I am hoping the Dakin's starts to work!! I've already had 3 surgeries, I don't need another!!! I did have the nurse repack my wound and I have been doing well, just over-packing. The hole does hurt a bit now, but still tolerable. It will feel better now that they don't want it packed as tight as I can get it.

Not the best news, but not awful. I'll be anxiously awaiting test results. Luckily, the OS will call me when he gets them. I think he is worried that it's not closing and it's deeper since I took part of the stitch out. So, we'll see! Thank you for your kind words and encouragement!!!

Jen

 

[little red canoe]

Oh my! I admire your optimism!

 

[KarriB]

Let us know what the test results are and what the OS plans to do. I do hope another surgery isn't necessary, but you're right the deepening isn't good.

 

[Celle]

Thanks for letting us know about your OS appointment, Jen. I'm glad your surgeon is doing something more. I hope that the swab reveals what infection is increasing the depth of your wounds and then you can start on an appropriate antibiotic. I think there must be some infection at the base of those tunnels, or else they would not keep on deepening.

I hope the CAT scan reveals the extent of the tunneling.

Do keep us updated. We're all hoping you see some improvement soon.

 

[lene']

Wow Jen, so sorry you are having to go through this, I will say prayers that you do not have to go back in for more surgery. Hopefully they can get it under control Quickly!!!
Blessings,
Lene'

 

[sistersinhim]

We are all behind you, Jen. Saying prayers for you.