Wellness

[hooked on books]

@SeaMaiden, not sure why the wrong size spacer was used. I'm assuming the pre-surgical measurements were off a bit. I had mentioned the issue to my surgeon about a year after my replacement but I guess I just didn't want to deal with it unless/until I have to. It's been around 10 years now.

[kismet]

my mom had her knees done in the late 80s and was fine until she got an infection.  guess she had a urinary infection that went to her knee.  she had to have antibiotic beads, I think that was what she called them, put into the knee to get rid of the infection.  so she had to have the knee opened to put them in.  don't know if they dissolved or if she needed the knee opened again. Good luck.

[depglass]

I met a woman who had her first knee installed 8 degrees off.  All kinds of problems.  Her second knee was done by a different surgeon in a different city, no problems at all.  So I guess the moral is check out your surgeon extensively.  

[Goodie2shoes]

Saw the doctor this morning, I thought he was the infectious disease specialist but he was the surgeon who specializes in knee implant complications. He  told me surgery is necessary. They will remove the hardware, put in a spacer. IV antibiotics for 6 weeks then redo the replacement. UGH !! Surgery Friday

[hckynut]

Hi @Goodie2shoes 

Your whole story about your knee issues bothers me. Not anything you have said, or are saying. While I realize every invasive surgery has risks, it seems in your case some of these issues were that the surgery(surgeon) or staff dropped the ball somehow.

Sorry if I can't remember all the details, think you said something about the wrong size knee joint. Others commenting on their issues and my remembering to connect what problem with whom.

I know infection is always a concern with any major invasive surgery, but in your case there seems to be other factors involved in the reason for at least some of your problematic issues.

I have mentioned several times here about my hand infection from my cat bite, that put me in the hospital for 6+ days. During that time I was being treated by an Infectious Disease Specialist. Had several different types of IV drips during those 6+ days. It took me close to a year to regain my full strength and mobility in that hand and fingers. Fortunately it was not my dominant hand, which is my right hand.

When you say "IV antibiotics for 6 weeks" what exactly does that entail? I have spent countless days and weeks with an IV drip of an assortment of different fluids, but only when in the hospital.

Are you talking injecting/do you have a port/if so, do they prescribe a bag for you? This is something I have not experienced. We have given IV fluids to many of our felines over the years, but never to myself or my wife.

I am really sorry you have had so many painful and long lasting issues from this surgery and have so much still to do to correct it. I really hope this surgery Friday goes well along with you having an uneventful recovery and rehab. 

My thoughts are with you through your upcoming recovery and rehabilitation.

hckynut 🏒

[Goodie2shoes]

@hckynut  thanks for you concern. No I never had any problem with a wrong size implant. I developed a small puffy area at the base of the surgical incision and it grew larger then started draining. This has been going on since The end of April, first saw the doctor on Mayth and placed on antibiotics, SED rate and cultures done, no infection seen but the abcess went down then started puffing up again.

The picc line is a iv catheter into my arm used for long term IV antibiotics.  Dr. says about 6 weeks for iv's, a nurse will  come to my home to administer the iv antibiotics I assume several times a week, not sure yet. 

After all of that I will have surgery again to redo the knee replacement. A spacer will be placed in my knee to keep it together during the weeks of IV antibiotics, he says I will be able to drive, will need to use a walker. I will be dealing with this the rest of this year ! Back to therapy, etc. Hope that answers your questions, again thanks

[yellowrose]

@Goodie2shoes  I'm so sorry for all you are going thru.

I remember your 2019 knee replacement being one of the TNR stories

I followed before having mine done in Dec.

If I had read then what I'm reading now, I might have chickened out.

I wish you the very best and will keep you in my prayers.

Hope to see a good update from you soon.

[Terrywu]

Keeping fingers crossed and sending a prayer for successful surgery and quick recovery.