Knee Infection* Third time's the charm, I hope

skigirl

Former BoneSmart staff member
Joined
May 5, 2009
Messages
13,808
Age
79
Location
Minneapolis, MN
Gender
Female
Country
United States United States
bronze
@maryo52 you have given a lot of support, so I am glad to hear that it was there for you when you needed it.
 
OP
OP
maryo52

maryo52

Former BoneSmart staff member
Joined
Dec 5, 2010
Messages
3,720
Age
71
Location
Maine
Gender
Female
Country
United States United States
Good day everyone. Well today, once again, I am dealing with issues in my TKA leg. I developed intermittent pain in my shin over several weeks, then constant pain that seems to be in the muscle just lateral to the tibia. Now I hobble. Xray shows no fracture and there are changes around the end of the long stem which are to be expected. The radiology report did not comment on loosening one way or another.

I also feel a clunk, as if something's catching. Very confused at the moment.

Still on antibiotics but at a lower dose.
 

Layla

Staff member since November 20, 2017
BoneSmart Staff
Joined
Jun 26, 2017
Messages
35,780
Gender
Female
Country
United States United States
So sorry to read this @maryo52
I hope any issue is diagnosed soon and treated as necessary, bringing you relief. :console2:
 

amymhere

junior member
Joined
Sep 29, 2017
Messages
40
Age
59
Location
Iowa
Gender
Female
Country
United States United States
Hi Mary,
I was reading your whole history here. I'm so sorry for all the troubles you are having. My heart goes out to ya and I just wanted to send you some good vibes. It's gotta be so tough. You've been through so so much. May they figure it out and help you find lasting healing. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Stay strong!
 

Pumpkin

Staff member since March 26, 2015
BoneSmart Staff
Joined
Oct 27, 2011
Messages
28,996
Location
United States, West
Gender
Female
Country
United States United States
Maryo52,
So sorry to hear of your new issues in your TKR knee. I hope you are able to find answers to your symptoms sooner rather than later.
Sending positive thoughts your way,
Chris
 
Joined
Aug 14, 2008
Messages
165
Age
72
Gender
Female
Country
United States United States
Every time I make any progress, some new problem arises. Right now I am struggling with intractable back pain which gets set off when I lay down. Thus in the past week I've only had one good chunk of sleep. I wonder if I am experiencing complex regional pain syndrome or similar. Really puts me in bad shape mentally and emotionally. Trying to stay positive but all this year I've had one medical challenge after another.
Hoping you are doing well now!❤️
 
OP
OP
maryo52

maryo52

Former BoneSmart staff member
Joined
Dec 5, 2010
Messages
3,720
Age
71
Location
Maine
Gender
Female
Country
United States United States
Thanks @Flowerfloosey69

Late infection (> 2 years after surgery) is a real trip. I took it easy activity wise for a few months, then started working with a personal trainer. My right quad had been atrophied for years but it's nearly as strong as the other and what a difference that has made. I stopped antibiotics on my one year anniversary of surgery. The procedure I had, called DAIR (debridement, antibiotics and implant retention) has a variable success rate. I don't worry about recurrence but know it could. One thing I'll say, finding the best of the best orthopedic surgeons makes everything better. I hope your new hip turns out to be a success.
 

WFD

senior
Joined
Oct 29, 2021
Messages
419
Age
63
Location
Massachusetts
Gender
Male
Country
United States United States
finding the best of the best orthopedic surgeons makes everything better.

Hi @maryo52 , who is this OS you think so highly of, and where are they located? I'm in Massachusetts and it is always good to know of other surgeons that people are happy with.

Thanks.
 
OP
OP
maryo52

maryo52

Former BoneSmart staff member
Joined
Dec 5, 2010
Messages
3,720
Age
71
Location
Maine
Gender
Female
Country
United States United States
Andrew Freiberg. He's at Newton-Wellesley now. He was previously head of orthopedics at Mass General.
 
OP
OP
maryo52

maryo52

Former BoneSmart staff member
Joined
Dec 5, 2010
Messages
3,720
Age
71
Location
Maine
Gender
Female
Country
United States United States
Just checking in to say I've had no recurrence of infection. I had a year of antibiotics which I tolerated well -- six weeks of IV antibiotics followed by 10.5 months of oral cefadroxil. TKA infection really shook me up. I felt vulnerable in a way I'd never experienced, and it's changed me. I no longer take health for granted, and certainly came to know the love and support of friends and family.

The lesson for me is to not accept medical guidance as if it were biblical scripture. My infection was probably caused by the wound on that leg from melanoma removal. Looking back I should've been on a prevention course of antibiotics until the wound healed over. So be an advocate for yourself and for your knee!!

The melanoma surgery included removing 8 lymph nodes in my groin and abdomen which only increases the chance of infection in my TKA so I am vigilant about sources of infection, yet I don't let that weigh me down. I am living life to the fullest and back to my tom girl ways!
 

sistersinhim

Staff member since March 20, 2017
BoneSmart Staff
Joined
Dec 4, 2015
Messages
30,343
Age
72
Location
Virginia
Gender
Female
Country
United States United States
Yay, no more infection! You are so right that we have to be our own advocates. Who knows our bodies any better than we do?
 

BoneSmart #1 Best Blog

Staff online

  • Pumpkin
    Staff member since March 26, 2015
  • Layla
    Staff member since November 20, 2017

Forum statistics

Threads
63,424
Messages
1,567,363
BoneSmarties
38,466
Latest member
blondie14
Recent bookmarks
0
Top Bottom