My surgeon told me that I need to take antibiotics after any dental work to ensure no infection goes through to my TKR. Has anyone else had to do this? Did I understand correctly? Has anyone had any adverse reactions to having had dental work done following TKR? How long should I wait before going to the Dentist? Thanks for any advice.
Hi Lindy, yes, you did hear correctly. I'm not sure how long you need to wait before you see your dentist - best to give him/her a call - but you definitely always have to remind him re the tkr whenever you make an appointment in future. I had to have any necessary dental work done before I had my tkr, so I wouldn't have to see the dentist too soon after the op. It's all about infection control. The dentist will arrange the antibiotics.
Hope this helps, and that you've had a good recovery.
Denise from Oz
There has been some ongoing discussion over this. I was always told absolutely. Others from a couple of places around the globe agreed but one person said that was no longer required by her doc. I guess you better run it by your Dr and dentist. One of the regulars thought she had an infection in the j pint but turns out to be a severe kidney situation. Apparently, as in my case with staph, the metal is a magnet for infections of different sorts. Again, check with your medical team.
There has been some ongoing discussion over this. I was always told absolutely. Others from a couple of places around the globe agreed but one person said that was no longer required by her doc. I guess you better run it by your Dr and dentist. One of the regulars thought she had an infection in the j pint but turns out to be a severe kidney situation. Apparently, as in my case with staph, the metal is a magnet for infections of different sorts. Again, check with your medical team.
PS I think you need to start the antibiotics before dental work, not after, but I could be wrong.
Denise from Oz
Thanks Denise,
I didn't get to have the work done before the TKR so will check about the antibiotics before I have anything done. Thanks for that good advice.
Cheers,
Lindy (also from Oz)
Its always been 3 days before for me and keeflex is the antibiotic of choice
Usually take 1 gram of amoxicillin one hour before dentist, and wait 6 months before going for first time after joint replacement,..
Hi Lindy, I had a THR April 30 and scheduled for TKR replacement on July 2. When I went for pre-op appointment I was told I need to take antibiotics before any future dental appointments. I asked for how long I would need to do this and I was told for the rest of my life. I was more than a little surprised.
Wow! Seriously! I would never have expected that either!
Hmmm seems like I might have to speak with my Dentist.
Its only been 3 and a half weeks post TKR, so I think I'll wait a while before I even do go to the Dentist.
Very important to have antibiotics before dental work because if infection occurs goes straight to hip/knee replacement ....l so I have been told and I do get script before I see my dental therapist......it's worth it because who wants an infected replacement joint...certainly not me......best to do as we are told!!!!!!
Hi Lindy
my doctor has told me that I need to take antibiotics before any dental work and to also inform your dentist that you have had a tkr.
take care, Gill x
I I was advised taking antibiotics were no longer needed as the risk of infection against the danger of taking so many anti biotic outweighed any possible infection. It's worth searching the Web as c there is lots of info. I am in the South East of England. Not sure where everyone else lives as I suspect there isn't consistency either here or in other countries. My doctors won't give anti-biotics for a water infection now unless it's almost turned into a kidney infection.
My surgeon, I'm in the States, told me to wait 3 months after my TKR before seeing a dentist. He also prescribed an antibiotic I take an hour prior to my appointment. I'll have to take them for the next 2 years before any dental servie.
I've heard you should actually start a couple of days before the dental procedure! On the other hand, you also read articles (an official Canadian one I read) which said that infection from dental work was pretty much non existent. Personally, I would prefer to be well protected with antibiotics! Aparently urine infections are also a big problem, and my surgeon said avoid chiropodists like the plague . . . but he does have some funny ideas, I must admit. . . . .
Yes I read that Canadian article as well. Not sure about urine infections going to the knee and certainly my GPS will not routinely prescribe antibiotics for them anymore.
I guess a little of it depends on how some of these infections are defined. I know the 1st recommendation by urologists is to up the water intake asap and fight urinary track infections but my urologist has a quick fix of cipro and flomax and doesn't hesitate prescribing. He would rather use a sulfa drug but I am allergic to that entire family of drugs so thats out. There has been a tendency to lower usage of antibiotics. Sometimes I question if it's that dangerous or if it's a matter of economics and that's a way to save money. For the past 20 years zithromycin has been the gold standard for sinus infections. There was a movement to stop using it but the backlash from sinus sufferers has been so loud the AMA is rethinking their position a little bit.
OFG's problem was apparently caused by a urine infection . . . that was what my surgeon warned me about most strongly, so I keep the right antibiotic at home so I can start taking it immediately if I have a problem. TheCanadian article, I think was worrying about the effect of the amount of antibiotics (and the cost) being prescribed for every TKR patient who was undergoing dental work . . but when it's your knee it's difficult to consider the geral good as opposed to the personal good! As for urine infections, since I've been taking American Cranberry tablets, I've been ok . . .
I tried that method and just went from one infection to another until finally it got to the kidneys . . ouch! Can't take cipro (cuased my achilles tendon to rupture . . ) but sulfa is like a miracle! Stops the pain with one sachet, and since I've been taking the cranberry capsules, I've been OK, except for just after the operation . . . Maybe it's coincidence, but I don't think they do any harm, so I'll keep taking them!
My surgeon said the same, also he would prefer me to wait 6 mths before any extractions if possible.