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Joint infection 8 weeks out. OMG!!!

Posted , 14 users are following.

molly29060
molly29060

At exactly 8 weeks out from THR, right hip, I came down with a Staph B infection. High temp, huge warm red patch over the joint and aches in my leg. It came on in 24 hrs time. Emergency admitted me and I had surgery the next morning. The surgeon opened me up cleaned it out and replaced the ball and the socket liner.

Report was my healing was going very well inside. I was actually going to return to work in 2 weeks. I spent 4 nights in the hospital, I am on IV antibiotics for 6 weeks, to be followed by oral antibiotics for 3 months (at least). And, more time off of work.

I am here because I was absolutely devastated to learn that the chances of nailing this infection with these antibiotics is only 50/50. I am 55 in July and healthy in every other respect. Not even any allergies! It was osteoarthritis that led to surgery. If this doesnt go away I will have to go through surgery again, put a cement antibiotic-infused spacer in, clear the infection and THEN ALL new parts. I hate to think of the condition my poor leg bone will be in by then, let alone my psyche.

I am home from the hospital just a week now. I have never identified as a sickly person. I feel completely floored by this and dont know who to talk to. I'm tempted to think I'm over reacting as I know people get much worse news than this every day. But, the idea that this bacteria is living in me and may not go away is REALLY freaking me out.

So, suggestions? Any good outcomes to encourage me? I'm so scared of germs now and can't stop thinking of my mortality and I cry at the drop of a hat. I'm normally not worried or scared about surgeries and have had my fair share but this has made me so afraid now...like for the rest of my life. I dont want to come undone about this. I could use some input. Thanks smile

0 likes, 29 replies

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  • molly29060
    molly29060

    Posted

    Sorry. I meant "Strep B infection" (in original post). Couldn't see how to change my post.

  • hannah36566
    hannah36566 molly29060

    Posted

    Molly,

    As a person you has had their fair share of infections and hospitalized with them my heart goes out to you.  I am having my first total hip replacement next week.  Infectious Disease doctor might be a good idea. 

     

    • molly29060
      molly29060 hannah36566

      Posted

      Hi Hanna. Thanks. I do have an infectious disease doctor. Saw the team first thing in the hospital after surgery. I'm fortunate to have great care. What really struck me was the reality that even the greatest doctors and best care cant prevent some things from happening. I mean I "knew" that...now I KNOW that.

  • sharon47867
    sharon47867 molly29060

    Posted

    Sorry no advice really! But wanted to reply as I do feel for you! Just when you thought you had done it at 8wks! I'm 6wks now and can't imagine being that news! Stay strong keep busy, friends for coffee etc it will help keep you going! And yes always others worse off! At least it's summer and you can sit/walk in the sun! Best of luck with it all . 

  • jen86183
    jen86183 molly29060

    Posted

    I am so sorry to hear you have this infection, it is something we all fear. Did the doctor give you any indication as to why this has happened now. Sorry I cannot help but will be interested in the replies you receive.
    • molly29060
      molly29060 jen86183

      Posted

      There is absolutely no reason why this happened. Nothing I did. Nothing they did. It's just that a strep B bacteria (a very common bacteria that lives on our skin and in our intestinal track) made it into my blood. Could be through the smallest little pin prick hole that you cant even see. He thinks it probably got introduced the week before my symptoms started. I just encourage you to be very careful with. any cut, scratch, pedicure, etc. Immediately put antibiotic cream on any injury and take it seriously!

    • Jodi-France
      Jodi-France molly29060

      Posted

      Thank you for this information, although sorry you have to deliver it with first hand knowledge. In France my doctors made me take a shower the night before the surgery and I had to completely wash, even my hair, with what I always called mercurochrome, it looked like iodine. You knwo you can buy that on line in a big bottle, it wouldn't hurt anybody who is planning on having a THR to wash with mercurochrome a few times in the week leading up to their surgery. 

      It's not a bad idea to trim your toe nails before surgery since it is going to be a while until you can get at them, however you would want to be extra careful you did not cut any skin when doing so.

    • molly29060
      molly29060 Jodi-France

      Posted

      Yes. Here in the US I had to wash with special disinfectant soap for 3 nights in a row before surgery and could not shower the next day. In checking my calendar, knowing when the infection showed and talking to infectious doctor about the way this bacteria acts...I am 99% sure that I got the strep B in my system when I went to have a pedicure exactly 6.5 days before symptoms. Technician used a tool under my toenail and poked too hard and I even remember jerking back and telling her that was too much. My guess is she pierced the skin under there. I am almost certain. I would have loved a warning, in specific, about manis and pedis post surgery. I will never go again. I am feeling better every day though and getting my emotional fitness back too. Thank God!
  • vanessa24815
    vanessa24815 molly29060

    Posted

    Oh Molly this is so awful for you and I felt like crying reading it. I didn’t have a planned THR but had a fall in work so an unplanned trauma which meant emergency surgery to repair the break, I had a dynamic hip screw because I’m under 50 and surgeon wanted to keep my own hip socket. It was very traumatic so I know how shocked you feel.  I had a strep b infection after my second baby 16 years ago. But, I recovered after a long period of antibiotics. You will get better. I’m so sorry you’re going through this. If you want to chat please send me a message, vanessa x
    • molly29060
      molly29060 vanessa24815

      Posted

      Thank you Vanessa. Glad to hear it went away. I will be on antibiotics probably about 9 months!
  • ptolemy
    ptolemy molly29060

    Posted

    My mother had the same infection as you after her hip op, so I really feel for you. She had her hip prosthesis removed and then had gentamicin beads inserted in her hip until everything healed. She then had a revision hip. She was fine afterwards but did have her shoes built up while she was without a hip. 
    • molly29060
      molly29060 ptolemy

      Posted

      I saw those beads in my X ray yesterday. That was a surprise. Dont know what antibiotic it is though. Sounds like she had the one step revision. They would put a spacer in my leg Until the infection clears and then another surgery would take the spacer out and put in all new parts. Two steps. I hope it doesnt take that.

    • ptolemy
      ptolemy molly29060

      Posted

      It was a while back so I cannot remember if it was one or two steps. I must admit I was worried about infection when I had my hip done. Fancy seeing the beads!
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