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I am 3wk 2 days post TKR. In 52 and didn’t know anything about dental work. No one told me. Now I have a gum infection with a tooth I’ve been having problems with. All my dental appts I canceled after finding out from a friend I can’t get work done. As of today I got clearance to get X-rays done to see what’s going on. I’m so scared. I really don’t want an infection and go through another operation on my knee because of infection. I was also made to feel as if I should have known this information. I’m a smart educated woman. If I did know I would have done the right thing. Now I feel stupid and judged because people don’t know I didn’t know. I’m so nervous about tomorrow. I had to vent on a place where I don’t think I’ll get judged. Thank you

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Replies to "I am 3wk 2 days post TKR. In 52 and didn’t know anything about dental work...."

@jemh44 No one plans or chooses when they might have a dental problem, so you shouldn’t feel judged. If there is already an infection, you need to get it taken care of, both for your own comfort and to get it out of your body. I would call your surgeon/doctor’s office and tell them your situation. It may be that they might prescribe a stronger and longer form of antibiotic to start taking due to your TKR being so recent. The dentist can also prescribe antibiotics, but you might want the surgeon’s opinion. The actual chances of getting an infection from a dental procedure are pretty small, so don’t panic.

@jemh44 Don’t feel bad. How would you have known if the surgeon did not tell you? My surgeon required a dental clearance prior to surgery. I understand this varies from surgeon to surgeon and hospital/surgical center to hospital/surgical center. I hope you are being treated for the dental infection. My surgeon and dentist also want me on antibiotics prior to dental work as a precaution for 1 year post op. This also varies with providers.