Knee Infection* TKR Infection 2 Years Out

[Jamie]

One other thing.....you are right that the area with pus looks as though it could open up at some point soon. If that does happen, try not to be alarmed and go ahead with your appointment on Monday. In the interim, keep the area covered with a clean, dry bandage. Let us know if this happens and post an updated photo. You can go to an ER if you are concerned, but it is likely they will not have a specialist available to deal with a joint infection. You would also want to contact Dr. Marwin's office and let them know the area has opened and is draining. Once you have an infectious disease doctor, they should be advised as well if this happens.

You are on the right path to push for quick involvement of experienced doctors. Hang in there and post here if you have any concerns. We'll be here to support you.

 

[TKRsharon]

Thank you Jamie,
I will go for the aspiration on Monday and contact a new doctor. I appreciate all your help. I am very worried. Did you happen to find anything on Scott Marwin? He likes to say that he "did a good job'"

 

[TKRsharon]

Thank you for taking the time to answer. I am quite worried.

 

[TKRsharon]

You are right to be concerned and to seek immediate action. Your knee has some of the signs of infection and "wait and see" is not a good approach.
results should be faster.

I forgot to mention that I had blood work on Thursday, Which confirmed infection, and they could not get me an appointment for an aspiration on Thursday or for Friday. They said they'd call. Thankfully, I got a call on Friday with an appointment for Monday. Do other surgeons do their own aspirations or send you to a radiologist? My rheumatologist does them himself in his office. That man is the BEST!

 

[Jamie]

I believe a lot of surgeons will do the aspiration in their own office. But things change and specialization always seems to increase, so that may not be the case everywhere. I'm sure it depends on the practice. But, don't worry....this is happening quickly enough that you should be just fine. Do make sure you get an infectious disease doctor involved quickly, though. That is a critical key to success when dealing with a periprosthetic infection.

I'm glad the blood work was ordered and processed quickly to confirm your suspicions of an infection.

You'll notice that I've changed your thread title a bit to reflect the Infection prefix now that it's confirmed. I also added a few words to the thread title so that others could more easily search for and find your thread if they want information on a late onset infection.

 

[TKRsharon]

This is what the knee looks like today. Like I said, aspiration is tomorrow and I have a list of other doctors I am calling. I have been sending messages and pictures to my surgeon on his portal. So far, no response. I think I will call his service and have him call me. Do you think it's worth doing that?
Thanks everyone.

 

[Jockette]

So far, no response. I think I will call his service and have him call me. Do you think it's worth doing that?

Yes, I think it’s worth it so that it is further documented that you made the effort.

Since you mentioned you have seen an infectious disease doctor before about another issue, I suggest your first step is to arrange an appointment with him on an emergency basis. When you call the office to schedule, tell them you believe your TKR is infected and, if possible, send them these photos. The fact that this "bubble" that appears to contain pus has appeared since Thursday, is significant.

I agree with Jamie, call this doctor, maybe even today, it might help you get a sooner appointment. It will probably help that you‘ve seen him/her before.

 

[TKRsharon]

Jockette I left a message with the service. Let's see if I called back.
Thank you for your support. I am so worried.

 

[Jockette]

Thank you for your support. I am so worried.

I’m sure you are. I’m sorry you’re dealing with this.

You do have an aspiration tomorrow, so that is good news. Is this with your surgeon’s office? Do you need to go into the city for this?

 

[TKRsharon]

Thank you for your support. I am so worried.

I’m sure you are. I’m sorry you’re dealing with this.

You do have an aspiration tomorrow, so that is good news. Is this with your surgeon’s office? Do you need to go into the city for this?

Yes, it's tomorrow. Going after work and taking the next day off. I deserve it. Very hard teaching in pain and being worried. For some reason they do not do this procedure in his office. Going to a radiologist in another hospital, not far from my home. He called me back a while ago. I told him that it ruptured and that I am worried. he said,"I'm worried too" I asked if I should keep it covered, "If you want to" "Is it good that it opened?" response, "yes" "why?" "because it's coming out" - I have been getting ready for parent teach conferences which has been a curse and a blessing. Keeps my mind busy, but sitting is difficult. Trying to keep the leg elevated as much as possible.
I really want to thank you for caring. I have no one else to talk to about this

 

[Jockette]

I’m glad he called you back. He may turn out to take good care of you. Keep the faith. While infections can get serious, they also can be treated very successfully. Keep posting, we‘re here for you.

 

[sistersinhim]

I'm praying for the successful treatment of your knee infection. Thank God it was found and you're taking antibiotics for it. That means that the end is in sight and you'll be having a normal knee again!

 

[Jamie]

It is good that your system is getting rid of some of the infection. I would keep it covered and change the bandage when it gets wet if the site is draining.

I can understand your concern and worry. Infections are serious, but you were wise to take fast action. The antibiotics you're currently taking will help keep things at bay until the test results come back. Once they know the particular bacteria involved it is likely that you'll be given a more targeted antibiotic. There are several options in dealing with this type of infection and we'll just have to wait and see which your surgeon and your infectious disease doctor think is appropriate.

Please know that these types of infections are very treatable, especially when discovered early. We're here for you!

 

[Jamie]

I do think it's worth it to "bug" your current doctor for a return call. You need him to get engaged with this. While the bump is significantly more angry looking in your photo today, it appears that there is a smaller area of redness around your knee than before. If that's the case, that's also a good sign that your body and the antibiotic you're on are fighting the infection. Hang in there.....

 

[TKRsharon]

Had the aspiration today. It took longer and was more painful than I expected. The radiologist was concerned about the wound and told the surgeon so. Tomorrow I am see in the surgeon, in NYC.. I have an appointment with an infectious disease specialist on Friday. Hopefully all goes well tomorrow, with no need to open the knee. Today I told the radiologist that I had a thought that there may be some sutures/knots that are causing this problem. He said that was an interesting theory. I just read his report and he described what he saw as "suspicious suture material". Interesting.
I will keep you posted. Thank you for all your help and concern.

 

[sistersinhim]

 

[Jockette]

I’m glad things are moving along for you, sorry you have to go into the city.

 

[Jamie]

Wow....if the problem does result from sutures, that should be easier to deal with than what we normally see with joint infections. I'm glad things are moving quickly for you now. Good job coordinating all the doctors so you got this attention. I'm keeping my fingers crossed things go well with these upcoming appointments.

 

[TKRsharon]

Wow....if the problem does result from sutures, that should be easier to deal with than what we normally see with joint infections. I'm glad things are moving quickly for you now. Good job coordinating all the doctors so you got this attention. I'm keeping my fingers crossed things go well with these upcoming appointments.

Thank you. I am hoping this can be resolved soon. I am feeling optimistic and worried at the same time. I will keep you posted

 

[TKRsharon]

I was admitted and I am having surgery tomorrow o clean out the infection. I have seen so many medical people today, but I have not seen my surgeon yet. I have so many questions. I was also told he may replace the spacer. There was mention of removing old sutures. I have been offering this idea to doctors as a possible reason for problems for 2 years and no one took me seriously!
Anyway, has anyone gone through this cleaning out/debridement? and /or spacer replacement? Just wondering what to expect. Could you walk steps, go back to work etc... The TKR was brutal and I am hoping this is not difficult. Also, if you have gone through this, did you need to use a walker, cane, commode, transfer bench any other equipment? - so I can ask someone to get it ready for me at home. I was not emotionally prepared and did not get the house ready.
I am sure you can understand, I am a nervous wrecK!
Thank you all