Knee Replacement Infection

jeepers creepers; I would say listen to the old doc when he's asked "Doc, it hurts when I do this... " you all remember his advice, I know, he was old and what did he know, [but of course, that was before the industry really kicked in... not gonna start]
I just yesterday noticed a co worker with a similar injury who went [for lack of a better phrase] considerable length inconvenience and time to have his addressed whereas I, well, didn't do anything
I hit a guy and pushed my finger into my hand with only about half an inch sticking out, I went to the hospital to get it looked at there was a guy there that tried to pull it back out; he set it and said wait a few hours, there's a ortho whatever surgeon who is coming in anyway and he'll look at it so I waited and he came in he took off the brace and manipulated it a bit all the while bragging and complaining at the same time, about how useless the previous guy was and that if I wanted, he could operate later on
Well, needless to say, I fell in love with the guy [I mean, as a man kind of thing] I looked in the parking lot and saw he pulled up in a corvette, I think it was a '77 anyway, long story short, was never a fan of the '77 [anything] called them smoged down geared down one wheel spinning wonders; and the only wonder was, [except for the Pontiacs] who are buying these cars?
While I digress a bit, I wasn't gonna let this guy operate on me [edit] but to his credit, he did pluck my finger out a little further and I went from near despair to knowing it would heal
 
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I friend that I have is a professional drummer Doug McGrew and got an infection like yours in his elbow, it put him in the hospital three times and almost took out the tendons in his arm, it has taken almost a year for him to get back to playing again,
When I went through Heart Rehab there was a kid there who was in his late 20s that had his heart attacked by a tooth infection.
I am amazed at how much the little world wants us taken out,
Take very good care of yourself and take the doctors advice closely, don't push it until they say it is ok. That was one of the reasons why it took Doug so long to heal.
 
Well I got home around 8:00 Monday night. Pain meds are taking care of the pain mostly. Wearing a brace for 2 weeks. IV antibiotics for 6 weeks. If all goes well a new knee replacement after that. I don’t have much energy. But I’m making it living by myself.
Thanks for everyone’s thoughts and prayers!
 
Just saw this. Proud you are home and healing for the new knee. That ol' gas company just won't let you go. Get her fixed so you can retire and ride! Good luck buddy!!
 
Praying for you. This is the hard part. I noticed you're living by yourself. Is there anyone who can come by to watch over you? Someone who can get you meals? Change the ice pack? Get you the pain meds so you stay ahead of the pain?

Chris
 
This is going to be the worst of it, Keith. Once you get past this it will be all clear sailing. We're all thinking of you.

I'm investigating a shoulder replacement and I told the doc about your experience. I asked him why infections are an issue for replacement joints. He said the steel and plastic parts have no blood supply like the original bone, and therefore there are no white blood cells to gobble up the stray bacteria. If said bacteria manages to reach the replacement joint, it's safe haven for it to be fruitful and multiply.
 
Daboo said:
Praying for you. This is the hard part. I noticed you're living by yourself. Is there anyone who can come by to watch over you? Someone who can get you meals? Change the ice pack? Get you the pain meds so you stay ahead of the pain?

Chris
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He has very good help across the 10 days of the holiday season!
 
okckeith said:
Well I got home around 8:00 Monday night. Pain meds are taking care of the pain mostly. Wearing a brace for 2 weeks. IV antibiotics for 6 weeks. If all goes well a new knee replacement after that. I don’t have much energy. But I’m making it living by myself.
Thanks for everyone’s thoughts and prayers!
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Good to hear. It's been almost a year since my replacement and as a Dentist of 52 years, antibiotic prophylaxis prior to any surgery(even a dental cleaning) has been the standard of care for decades. Current research is in dispute and creates conflict between the AMA, ADA, CDC, & American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons. I always leave it up to the Surgeon of record to make the determination to prescribe or not. Reports vary from not needed, to only two years post-op, to coverage whenever an invasive procedure is anticipated. Patients who are at high risk are:
  1. Prior history of joint infection
  2. Weakened immune system (Diabetes, Cancer, Organ Transplant Recipient, Hemophilia
  3. Chronic steroid usage
  4. Malnutrition/poor nutrition
  5. Inflammatory arthritis
 
He has very good help across the 10 days of the holiday season! - This is good to hear sounds like he's communicating with you a bit as well. When you're living by yourself it can be challenging to say the least to look after everything you need to do in situations like this. Another thing is avoidance of alcohol [not that it's relevant, but how much of any thing I write is] especially while taking anitbiotics. Even if you're not a drinker it's the season and it might be tempting. It can completely negate and make worse what the antibiotics are trying to do for you. That from my Dentist. Hope you're making out okay and looking after yourself
 
Well I finished the IV antibiotics. Tuesday will be 2 weeks. I finally got the infection cleared! Two surgeries and 4 months later. I’m finally starting to feel better. Sleeping more and less pain. The spacer in my knee is not much fun. Should be better when I get my new knee replacement. I still don’t know what caused this infection. The infectious disease Dr said she did not think it came from cleaning my teeth. Said it came from strep. Who knows? Don’t wish this on nobody! This was a lot worse than going thru my lung cancer.
But thankfully looks like it is ending soon!
Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers!
 
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