TKR and staph infection

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Hello all......I wil explain. Had my TKR three and a half months ago and am always worried i will get an infection that could harm the replacement. I have had since the op a strep and now a staph infection. Of course my knee scar is closed and all. But am i at risk with this infection. I mean is my prsthesis at risk or is it only when the wound is fresh?

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6 Replies

  • Posted

    I'm betting OlfFatGuy (he chose the name) can speak into this, as he's dealt with infections. But this is what I do understand: Any infection in your body can spread to your joint replacement.

    Infections are caused by bacteria. Although bacteria are abundant in our gastrointestinal tract and on our skin, they are usually kept in check by our immune system. For example, if bacteria make it into our bloodstream, our immune system rapidly responds and kills the invading bacteria.

    However, because joint replacements are made of metal and plastic, it is difficult for our immune system to attack bacteria that make it to these implants. If bacteria gain access to the implants, they may multiply and cause an infection.

    I had recently responded to another thread about infection and shared how I was told I needed to take an antibiotic an hour before dental appointments, even just a cleaning. This is because of the bacteria in your mouth and the risk of it entering your bloodstream. Some believe this is unnecissary, but personally, if I can do something to prevent it, I want to try to do it. I don't see the dentist on a weekly basis, so I'm not concerned about overdoing antibiotics.

    I am curious what your doctor says. I'm guessing he knows you had a TKR and should be aware of the risk. And yes, your prostesis is at risk even when the wound is healed...if the infections enters you blood stream.

    -Mo

    • Posted

      Thankyou for your reply. I forgot to mention that this strep and the staph i now have have both been urinary infections or fungal. My doc doesn't see worried but i have tosee him with the results. Ihave these infections recurring. It's complicated. I love my new knee and don't want to see it go

    • Posted

      Glad you are loving the new knee. Certainly builds a healthier relationship. As I responded to Oldfatguy, I was thinking mrsa when I read staph. Shows how much I do and don't know. But, I was telling the truth about the dentist. smile

      -Mo

    • Posted

      Mesa is Definately a staph and probably the most dangerous. I seems to come in through cuts and any kind of open wounds, large and small.there was one school that found it coming in through the mats used in the wrestling program and spreading through abrasions received while practicing. My grandson got cut by a piece of metal and was in fear of losing a leg......
  • Posted

    That type of infection, generally speaking, arent ones you worry about. I am assuming you got antibiotics and cleared them up. Puncture wounds that get infected, cuts with dirty knives and the like. Staph pretty much lays on the skin looking for a way in. Ive had staph twice (epistaph was the diagnosis or a staph off of the skin that came in through a hair folical during surgery). The usual incabation time is 28 days. We have a nephew that is an infectious disease Dr and his explanation is we all have enough staph on our skin to kill us but 99% have the self immunity to fight it off. That small percentage doesn't. Again, cuts are by far the biggest fear and need to be tended to carefully.

    • Posted

      When I think of staph, I think of mrsa, but that's because a cousin battled with it for a long time. Thanks for clearing that up - I knew you would come through.

      -Mo

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