Hi
I've read many talk about getting infection after your replacement. What kind of symptoms would one have . I am wondering if mine is infected. Also what is the treatment?
Thank you !
Debbie
I very much hope it is not, because the treamenIt for It can be pretty drastic! Heat is the first thing you would look for, together with pain, swelling, and possibly liquid in the joint. Any of those symptoms, I should go and get it checked out asap!
Thank you for your reply !
I have swelling , had it drained it was all blood ? That was week ago and it's swelled same again. Doctor never mentioned infection but I just don't get why this happening. I am really not in pain per say although I am taking ibuprofen for the swelling . Trying to stay off as much as possible to see if that helps .
Frustrated and concerned for sure . Making me anxious 😩
Debbie
I can imagine! It's not a nice situation to be in. I imagine that an infection would be painful, and also if the joint were infected by now you would be getting a general feeling of malady caused by such a systemic infection, but all the same. best to keep an eye on it. .OFG is the best one probably to advise . .i know he's had more than one infection . . . Di they check for infection when they drained the blood?
No they did not check for infection.
Well I do not feel great but could be I'm getting myself worked up .
Nice to just talk to someone about it . Thank you so much .
I hope you get some answers soon, as to why this is happening. I didn't realise until I read your other posts that you are a year post TKR . . one would have expected all these things to have settled down by now!
Exactly !
Yes I have a few discussions just trying to get some advice / thoughts / support ,
Thanks much
Heat...not just warm but really hot. Drainage, fever, nausea,
If the Dr believes there is a possibility they stick a needle all the way into the joint and take samples for lab work.
If they do come back positive and you'll know in 24 hrs, then it can get dicey depending on what kind of infection you have. Some are simple and a round of antibiotics will do it, some like the epitaph that I had are complicated. The 1st time they opened the knee area completely, too out the plastic disk that the rocker sits on and flushed the entire area. Then inserted a PICC line and I had antibiotic infusions twice a day for 8 weeks. Then 900 mg of antibiotics daily. That didn't get it and eventually they had to remove the entire prosthesis, clean, flush, insert an antibiotic spacer and close the incision, put the leg, hip to toe, in an immobilizer and restrict bendcat zero and weight bearing to toe touch. Reinsert PICC line and start 8 week antibiotic protocol again. Then wait 2 more months to make sure everything was o.k. then back for another prosthesis.
Now, I only answered your question but please don't put the cart before the horse. Infections and blood clots are rare so I really wouldn't worry. If you are experiencing something unusual, get to your surgeon and let him put your mind at ease.
Oh my gosh . That is horrific to go through . THANK YOU for the lengthy response . Been so anxious just not knowing . I do not have the symptoms besides the swelling, maybe (?) one side could be looking little blue.(hard to be sure) Thought it was from over activities but also thought once drained it would calm down .
At one year PO I just didn't expect this . I'll see how next couple days go .
OFG thanks so much ! Really really appreciate you !
Debbie