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Five Infections Destroy Knee Revision

Posted , 6 users are following.

franco83
franco83

My wife had a TKR in 2007. Had to be replaced in 2009 because of instability. The revision was constant pain for years. Was told it was bersitis or her back. This year a sore developed below the knee, started oozing a clear liquid plus stinky pus. She finally found someone that set her up for an MRI, which indicated that the knee was totally infected. Later the revision was removed plus several inches of bone on the upper side & replaced with an oversize spacer. She also had another surgery weeks later to have a foot of muscle from her lower calf (same leg) remove & placed in the hole that had oozed the pus,etc. Also had to have skin removed from her upper thigh to cover the the hole. She spent 2 weeks in the hospital & now near  3 weeks in a rehab. She has a total of 5 infections , cannot put any weight on leg whatsoever, cannot get out of bed without a couple to help her . The Dr. claimed that if all went well, she might be clear of the infection in 3 months. Meanwhile, she is in terrible pain anytime anyone even tries to move the leg. Has anyone else ever had or knows someone that might have had something similar ?

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • Oldfatguy1
    Oldfatguy1 franco83

    Posted

    Nothing that sever but had a staph classified as epitaph or infection from the outer skin or epidermis. 1st time the knee was opened and the spacer removed. Then the leg was flushed, resewn and I had a PICC line inserted. 2 months of antibiotic infusion ( 2 hours, twice a day)

    The second time The entire prosthesis was removed and the knee cleaned and flushed, a spacer inserted, again 2 monthsof antibiotic infusions, leg immobilized with no bend and no weight bearing. After the 2 months of infusion I had to wait another 2 months for new prosthesis. Then back to rehab. I certainly have every level of empathy and sympathy for anyone who has gone through it.

    • Oldfatguy1
      Oldfatguy1 lisa02204

      Posted

      I have a rare non malignent tumor that hemoraged and created the havoc. 11 surgeries, 30 rounds of radiation, a broken femur and 5 complete rehab...all starting at age 65. In now less than 5 months from 80.

      All starting at age 65

    • tijim
      tijim Oldfatguy1

      Posted

      Wow Oldfatguy (don't really like saying that)

      what a hell of a journey you have had!  Everthing I hope is fine for you now!

      Take care... Tracey

    • franco83
      franco83 Oldfatguy1

      Posted

      I would have to call that "pretty damn severe " for what you went through. The antibiotic infusions my wife gets are only 30 minute entervals & once a day. The formula is called INVANZ. What also makes it bad for her is that she is 80 years old. Thank you for sharing your story. I hope that it is behind you now ?

    • Oldfatguy1
      Oldfatguy1 franco83

      Posted

      That's the standard.....unfortunately I'm allergic to one.part of that formula and it causes me to have an antiflactic reaction, breaking out in hives and shouting off y airways. More dangerous than the infection. They have to give me clindamycin which is good but takes a lot more of it.

  • lisa02204
    lisa02204 franco83

    Posted

    O MY. I'm sorry to hear this. She has been thru alot. Hope all goes well.

  • tijim
    tijim franco83

    Posted

    Hi Franco .. just had to reply your poor wife unfortunately they say so many things can go wrong.  I'll be keeping her in my thoughts... Tracey x

  • DEBORAH_USA
    DEBORAH_USA franco83

    Posted

    I am so sorry for your wifes pain.  When you go into this type of operation, you never expect a bad outcome.  While your wife is going through all of this pain, you need to contact a pain specialist.  I had a pain pump put into my body which except for bad days, takes care of my pain.  I have a life again.  Good luck.
  • gwen1024
    gwen1024 franco83

    Posted

    Oh wow I am so sorry we will be praying too.
    • franco83
      franco83 gwen1024

      Posted

      Thank you much!! She needs all the prayers she can get ...
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