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i am 10 months post complex tkr. it has been far from plain sailing. 2 mths post op i contracted strep and had to have surgery to remove the infection. The back of my leg has now gone bruised and swollen with a lump at on the from of my knee. when walking my knee makes a terrible cluncking noise. i have lost sensation down the outer side of my leg. any advice greatly appreciated.
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robert61422 tina97901
Posted
What has your doctor said? Has he/she done an x-ray to see of everything is still aligned?
Sounds like something may be out-of-whack with something pressing on a nerve. Or could be the swelling/lump is pressing on the nerve. Does ice help or is it a hard lump? May be a cyst also. Doc can tell.
You were lucky that they didn't have to replace the whole implant when you contracted staph. My wife's doctors said if she gets an infection, he's going to have to take out the whole implant and start over.
j68551 tina97901
Posted
Hi Tina,
We are in a similar boat. TKA or TKR primary operation in SWEDEN 2014. Four months later chronic post operative prosthetic infection due to S. Epidermidis.
Debridement or deep cleaning three times, two in STOCKHOLM one here in BANGKOK, THAILAND where I am a resident.
I do like the warm climate.
One of the leading TKA surgeons in BANGKOK recommended the "Gold Standard" or Two Stage REVISION after the last effort trying to salvage the implant.
In APRIL 2018 first-stage done. Removal of the infected implant. Made by DePuy Sigma. Johnson & Johnson Corporation.
I keep it as a souvenir on my bookshelf.
The operation was not painful per se. But, six weeks bedridden with VANCOMYCIN "spacer" in the knee join and IV Vancomycin antibiotic 4 x day. Multiple vein punctures and insertions of new IV lines. My advice if you're having a two stage revision do ALWAYS request a PICC line. (PERIPHERALLY INSERTED CENTRAL CATHETER) if not expect a lot of jabbing. EVERY TWO DAYS!
After six weeks I was discharged. Two months at home with oral antibiotic medication.
In September three days before my 69 th birthday the second- stage operation. Spinal anesthesia.. Removal of "Spacer" and insertion of a new implant, prosthesis, DePuy Sigma same as the STOCKHOLM Orthopedic state hospital uses.
Pain control. Morphine post op later Tramadol x 3 day. Infection medication IV three and a half weeks. Ciprofloxacin and Clindamycin IV 3 x day. Again, I requested for a PICC - Line... Oh yes!
I was discharged three weeks ago with a Frankestein scar on my right knee. No more medication only physiotherapy
three times a week at a nearby government hospital.
Also swimming. PT is very important! Get back the muscle strength, And don't forget when in bed with your smartphone, apps. & podcasts. Always do the "Ankle Pump" and " Heel Slide".
I am still using my forearm crutches. And putting weight on new TKA Implant. NEXT check up is in JANUARY.
PROBLEMS!
BTW. I am back driving, again enjoying it tremendously! "I drive like the wind" Jack Nicholson
in "As Good as it Gets"
Best of luck,
Bangkok-Johnny