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Knee infection after a TKR 4 years prior
I have had both my knees replaced with titanium and cement to seal implant to bone. 4 years late and I an acute onset of an infection in one knee. Had surgery on 4th day after fever and chills. Initial tap of my knee showed strepococcus Grp B. My surgeon opened my knee and cleaned out the infection, did more cultures, removed the plastic spacer. Scrubbed my hardware, all hardware was secure an issyes, Irrigated with betadiine and saline, added powdered Vancomycin and inserted a new spacer. After culture results started me on IB Penicilln G. I am home now and receiving continous infusion of Penicillin G via PICC line for 6 weeks then will change it oral amoxicillin for several months. Anyone experienced this and had sucess?
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@caseybo1115 You could get tested or simply use a surgeon who normally uses a biocompatible implant. The standard Smith & Nephew implant is one such. Stryker makes one but it is not the standard Stryker product. Etc.
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1 Reaction@clucern
I stated that concern. That Ozone is effective for infection and inflammation is a long known fact. It is being used in the dental industry for gum disease and has had success with diabetic ulcers and that has been documented.
There is an abundance of doctors today practicing various ozone techniques for many ailments. I personally have a cautiously optimistic viewpoint about the pharmaceutical industry ,insurance and the health and medical industry as well. I know my doctors mean well but prefer to take charge of my health and well-being as well. I shy away from antibiotic treatments as much as possible though, I know that isn’t always possible.
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1 ReactionI had knee replacements in both knees and one has been wonderful but my left knee got infected multiple times and had lots of ops etc and now they say I cannot have a new knee again cause it would just get infected again and if that happens I would need an amputation. Now I have a rod fitted fusion from hip to ankle and leg is fixed straight and now this is permanent. Has anyone else had a fused knee ?
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2 Reactions@dawny61 I am sorry to hear all you have gone through. When did you have your initial TKR and when was your first infection? Do you know what bacteria was was found in your cultures. I hope you connect with someone who has had your similar struggles. I will be praying for you. Prayer is powerful and I saw answer to prayer when I was in the hospital with sepsis. Please keep this group updated.
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2 Reactions@clucern I don’t recall the specific bacteria, other than it was considered a skin surface strain. I was fine for 7 months and had even been skiing again just before the infection developed. The six week course of massive antibiotic PIC line injections every 8 hours for six weeks was exactly the same both times. The first time all seemed fine after the antibiotics ended, but three days later I knew something wasn’t right. At that point my TKR surgeon sent me to Mayo where my original prosthetic knee was removed and a temporary plastic spacer put in before the same 6 week antibiotic injections began again. This time the antibiotics worked although I had to wait awhile to make sure the infection was gone before a new permanent prosthetic could be put in 10 months after the infection began.
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1 ReactionThank you sharing your story. Sounds like the bacteria was a staph infection. You have been through a long trying time. I will be 🙏
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1 ReactionI was just considering possible reasons for my health changes since the TKR. After the TKR I developed Polymyalgic Rheumatica, high ESR and CPR and severe anemia. I have talked to my surgeon about maybe what really happened to me was a allergic reaction but he is sure that is not the case. I just want to have a healthy outcome this time.