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Septic arthritis after joint replacement

Posted , 2 users are following.

jules130
jules130

Had knee replaced 2009. Last year developed cellulitis and septic arthritis one day prior to having other knee joint replaced. Would like to discuss with anyone else who has experienced the same.

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • elizabeth20203
    elizabeth20203 jules130

    Posted

    Hello Jules, I don't know how old you are not that it really matters. I had my left knee replaced for the second time also in 2009, a revision. Both times was a total knee replacement. I also had septic arthritis at the age of 11 in the same knee, which caused me long term problems until i had my first knee replacement aged 39, second one aged 52. I now suffer from neuropathic pain 5 years afte having the second knee replacement. What do you want to know.

    Elizabeth.

    • jules130
      jules130 elizabeth20203

      Posted

      Hi Elizabeth, thank you for your reply. I am 62, had my knee replaced at 55. I have had a lot of pain with my knee. I do have stability and strength, well I did prior to the cellulitis and septic arthritis.When they opened my leg up, twice in 2 days they replaced the ? pads or plates. I feel like I am metal on metal already and this is only 8 months after it all.I still get a lot of pain and bendage is a problem. I was due to have the other knee replaced, but don't want that to happen. I am really scared that I will have the same problems with the new replacement.Does it get any better? or am I stuck with the swelling, stiffness and pain? I am seriously thinking that an amputation might be the way to go.I am just so sick and tired of it all. No pain medication seems to work. Just one day with out crutches and pain would be good. Sorry for rambling on.
    • elizabeth20203
      elizabeth20203 jules130

      Posted

      My first knee replacement i had no problems, i was walking ok and no infections considering i suffered from arthritis most of my life. As my knee and circumstances are different from yours, therefore each replacement must be decided from each person's individual circumstances. I will say however that when i had it replaced the second time it was different. I had Staphylococcus and was treated for 6 wks with high doses of antibiotics. My knee recovered and i was ok. Unfortunately infections are always a possibility with all operations, it's a risk we take. Have you had any physio as the knee should be bending easily now, thou i cannot comment as to why your still having problems. Have you been back to the consultant for a check up since the pads and plates have been sorted. I would ask to see the consultant again or at the very least see your GP for reassurrance. Pain should be greatly reduced by now. I do have swelling which for me is permament, i am not sure if that is with all cases. Are you in the UK. What pain killers are you taking. I do know the frustration of being in pain all the time as that for me is the case thou i am talking about my personal experiences. My second knee replacement was difficult as i has to have bone graft, i have supporting stents and i had a broken leg at the same time, it took 12 mths to recover. As for your other knee i am now in a similar position with my right knee now causing problems. I have tried steriod injections which have not helped. I am due to see the consultant in a couple of weeks to see what my options are, i am reluctant to have that knee replaced because i have been through a lot and living on my own it's difficult to recover. Don't be guided by my experience, do whats right for you. Have a chat with your GP first.

      Best wishes.

      Elizabeth.

       

  • jules130
    jules130

    Posted

    Oh wow! you have certainly been through the wringer. I don't envy you. I am in Tasmania Australia. I have seen both specialist and physio. Apparently so long as my knee doesn't hurt it's okay. When I go to the specialist I usually get asked. "Okay which knee is the worst?" Er! yeah both.I have tried morphine patches, Tramadol, Endone,Oxycodone,and even a nerve pain medication.None seemed to give me any relief. With the Morphine it increased my pain and I was in pain all the time.I have since found out that Morphine is known to do this.. I was going for a walk every day to get the paper. I have had to cut this down as the pain won't let me walk very far.I do warm water exercises and hydro once a week.Go to the shops for groceries and pay bills, twice a week. I do still drive. I am trying to keep active.Sometimes it is very hard to do anything. When I was younger I was very sports inclined. I was diagnosed with arthritis at 27. I have been on anti-inflammatory meds since. When I had my replacement done in 2009, due to bad bendage I was given a manual minipulation, 7 weeks post op. I could only get 85% bendage. It is so frustrating as I used to be very active. I did do all my exercises as instructed.I am flexable and I can put my hands flat on the ground with my legs straight. I get pain in the top of my leg, between my groin and knee.  where I have been cut because of the infection.I know time is a great healer. I am looking into Stem Cell treatment. They have done some trials here with very good results. In the big plan/scheme of things it has got me wondering if I am not meant to have my other knee replaced as It was the day prior to my scheduled operation that I was admitted to hospital with the infection. Thank you for your words. They are really appreciated.I have tried to find other people who have had septic arthritis. They are few and far between.
    • elizabeth20203
      elizabeth20203 jules130

      Posted

      Hi Jules, I am also interested in stem cell treatment. I am trying to prolong having a knee replacement on my right knee, it's not at that stage yet. My consultant say's he could do a partial knee, i am not in any hurry lol. I will tell you that i have read of Tumeric being a anti flamatory and good for arthritis. I have tried the capsules which had no effect. I bought some raw tumeric which i grate into my food. I

      have it on salads, stir frys, porrige, i make curries, and soup using it. You are supposed to have it everyday for at least a couple of months

      before you feel the benefits. I have been having it for two weeks now and will continue. I will buy the tumeric in the jar as grating tiny pieces of tumeric is difficult. In the meantime i am taking Gaberpentin for nerve pain thou that as decreased lately, Naproxen, and i have

      Amitriptyline to help with sleep. I am hoping to come off most of my drugs eventually, thou i am insomniac so that will be more difficult to come off the amitriptyline. Read up on the benefits of tumeric.  

      Elizabeth.

    • jules130
      jules130 elizabeth20203

      Posted

      Thanks for that. Yeah I had heard that tumeric was good for arthritis. A few ladies with the self help group that I go to were saying how good it was.Looks like I will have to look into it myself. I am having a phone appointment with the stem cell centre on this coming Friday. Hopefully I will be excepted and get to have the treatment. From the reports that I have read it is the way to go. They have been getting really great results. Fingers crossed that it works for me.I am lucky if I get 5 hours sleep a night.I used to get worried that I wasn't getting enough. I tell myself that if I am that tired I will sleep. Oh well such is life.  I am assuming that you live in England. I was born in Holloway, at my nans house. My second daughter's name is Elizabeth. Cheers for now.
    • jules130
      jules130

      Posted

      Hi Elizabeth, just a quick update. I have been excepted into the stem cell treatment. I will have to go to Melbourne 3 times. First time to harvest the cells. Then 6 weeks later for first injection. Second jab is 6 months after that.The doctor said to get on to Tumeric. I have done. Hope you are well. Cheers.
    • elizabeth20203
      elizabeth20203 jules130

      Posted

      Hi Jules, That is great news, i hope things work out for you. I am still on the Tumeric. I did a lot of walking Sun and wow didn't i pay for it yesterday. Keep me updated in the future. 

      Best wishes.

      Elizabeth.

       

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