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Total knee replacement infection after 9 years.

Posted by rguribe @rguribe, Oct 2, 2019

I recently had an infection on my total knee replacement, they went in and clean the infected area. I was on 6 weeks of Vancomycin antibiotics through a PICC line, and afterwards, the doctor stated that I would have to be on a low dose of antibiotics (Doxycycline 100mg) for the rest of my life, that it was the new recommendation from the AMA. I have not been able to find that info in the AMA website and my concern is the side effects of taking antibiotics for the rest of my life. Has anybody gone thru a similar infection and is presently on antibiotic for the rest of their life? Thank you

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kp6350 | @kp6350 | Mar 28, 2022
In reply to @jerseyjewel "I no it is years later and no one may see this but I have an..." + (show)
@jerseyjewel

I no it is years later and no one may see this but I have an infection in my 5 year old knee replacement. Scheduled for surgery in two weeks and I don’t want it. I want to find a infectious disease doctor to give me antibiotics and then a doctor to clean it out and let me try that at least before the radical surgery because I have RA severely so I have limited use of my arms hands and my other leg needs a knee replacement. If I have the surgery with the knee taken out I don’t see how I could take care of myself or get up or down off anything. I don’t see how I could go to the bathroom. Nonetheless sit in a chair and get up. I cry every day and hope to God for a miracle to cure my infection.

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So sorry you are going through this. My surgeon told me after 3-4 years no chance of infection. Pray that you find the relief you need..

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lorakane | @lorakane | Jul 1, 2022

Wow. This is that I am going though. I had both knees replaced 9 year ago also. I had a baker cyst removed May 10th 2022 and 2 Staff infections developed. They reopened the knee in the front and back to clean out the infection. I’m into 5 weeks of the PICC line and I’m also taking oral antibiotics twice a day. I have the same concern. Can a body take a long team regiment of antibiotics? Would I be better off replacing the knee again?

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2 replies
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jul 1, 2022
In reply to @lorakane "Wow. This is that I am going though. I had both knees replaced 9 year ago..." + (show)
@lorakane

Wow. This is that I am going though. I had both knees replaced 9 year ago also. I had a baker cyst removed May 10th 2022 and 2 Staff infections developed. They reopened the knee in the front and back to clean out the infection. I’m into 5 weeks of the PICC line and I’m also taking oral antibiotics twice a day. I have the same concern. Can a body take a long team regiment of antibiotics? Would I be better off replacing the knee again?

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Welcome @lorakane, You are definitely not alone going through this condition. Hoping others who have the same concern can share their thoughts and experience with you. I did find this article on the topic:

What You Should Know About Infections After a Knee Replacement: https://www.healthline.com/health/knee-replacement-infection

Have you discussed your concerns with your surgeon or care team?

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skeleton | @skeleton | Jul 2, 2022
In reply to @lorakane "Wow. This is that I am going though. I had both knees replaced 9 year ago..." + (show)
@lorakane

Wow. This is that I am going though. I had both knees replaced 9 year ago also. I had a baker cyst removed May 10th 2022 and 2 Staff infections developed. They reopened the knee in the front and back to clean out the infection. I’m into 5 weeks of the PICC line and I’m also taking oral antibiotics twice a day. I have the same concern. Can a body take a long team regiment of antibiotics? Would I be better off replacing the knee again?

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Prayers for a solution to this infection. Please keep updating progress.🙏🙏🇺🇸💕🎆🎇

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mgorham32 | @mgorham32 | Jul 2, 2022

I had my first TKR in 2014 which became infected within weeks after surgery and following treatment I was fine until 2018 when it became reinfected. I had a spacer inserted and after treatment of antibiotics I had another knee implanted. To date I've had 14 surgeries including 4 TKR that all became infected. I now have had an antibiotic spacer in my knee for 10 months and have been advised to forego any further knee replacements and live with the spacer due to the high probability of reinfection. I am unable to bend my knee and live with the difficulty of walking.

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3 replies
Mentor
Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | Jul 3, 2022
In reply to @mgorham32 "I had my first TKR in 2014 which became infected within weeks after surgery and following..." + (show)
@mgorham32

I had my first TKR in 2014 which became infected within weeks after surgery and following treatment I was fine until 2018 when it became reinfected. I had a spacer inserted and after treatment of antibiotics I had another knee implanted. To date I've had 14 surgeries including 4 TKR that all became infected. I now have had an antibiotic spacer in my knee for 10 months and have been advised to forego any further knee replacements and live with the spacer due to the high probability of reinfection. I am unable to bend my knee and live with the difficulty of walking.

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Welcome @gorham32 to Connect. This large group of members is made up of patients, caregivers, and providers. As mentors, we strongly believe in helping folks become their own advocates by sharing experiences with each other.

You have presented a situation that is quite a few steps beyond anything that I have experienced. However, somewhere among the 135,000 all-time members of Connect, there will be someone who has shared your medical condition. Let's hope they are reading right now.

However, it does sound like you have received some reasonable advice. Was this from your surgeon or another clinician who is aware of your problems with infections?

One of the nice things about Connect is that we have mentors who are excellent researchers. That is why I am going to introduce you to @johnbishop. Perhaps with a little more "story" from you, he will be able to find medical research that can be helpful.

Until then, I will be thinking of your situation and hoping that you can make progress to greater mobility.

May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jul 3, 2022
In reply to @mgorham32 "I had my first TKR in 2014 which became infected within weeks after surgery and following..." + (show)
@mgorham32

I had my first TKR in 2014 which became infected within weeks after surgery and following treatment I was fine until 2018 when it became reinfected. I had a spacer inserted and after treatment of antibiotics I had another knee implanted. To date I've had 14 surgeries including 4 TKR that all became infected. I now have had an antibiotic spacer in my knee for 10 months and have been advised to forego any further knee replacements and live with the spacer due to the high probability of reinfection. I am unable to bend my knee and live with the difficulty of walking.

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Hi @mgorham32, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with Chris @artscaping. It has to be difficult for you not being able to bend the knee and living with the difficulty of walking. I think you might find the following discussion helpful --- Prosthetic knee replacement infection/DAIR,/lifelong antibiotics: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/prosthetic-knee-replacement-infectiondairlifelong-antibiotics/

Here are a couple of references on infections and joint replacements...
-- The use of spacers (static and mobile) in infection knee arthroplasty: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4630232/
-- The PROSTALAC functional spacer in two-stage revision for infected knee replacements:
https://online.boneandjoint.org.uk/doi/pdf/10.1302/0301-620X.82B6.0820807
If you would like get a second opinion from Mayo Clinic, you can find the contact information for the Minnesota, Arizona and Florida campuses here http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63.
Have you considered seeking help at a major teaching hospital or health facility like Mayo Clinic?

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jul 3, 2022
In reply to @mgorham32 "I had my first TKR in 2014 which became infected within weeks after surgery and following..." + (show)
@mgorham32

I had my first TKR in 2014 which became infected within weeks after surgery and following treatment I was fine until 2018 when it became reinfected. I had a spacer inserted and after treatment of antibiotics I had another knee implanted. To date I've had 14 surgeries including 4 TKR that all became infected. I now have had an antibiotic spacer in my knee for 10 months and have been advised to forego any further knee replacements and live with the spacer due to the high probability of reinfection. I am unable to bend my knee and live with the difficulty of walking.

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That is a lot of surgeries for a lifetime, let alone for one joint. I am sorry for all you have been through. My cousin and I had hip replacement surgeries at the same time 15 years ago. Hers became repeatedly infected and had to be permanently removed. Until other ailments caught up with her last year, she managed using a walker at home & a wheelchair out and about. Now she uses the wheelchair or a scooter...
I see that you cannot bend the leg any more. Do you manage with a walker? Can you tell us a bit more about your situation, like whether the removal of the last implant has allowed them to cure the infection?
Sue

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1 reply
ammaw52 | @ammaw52 | Jul 3, 2022

Hi most informative group and honest group I have found. Ok had TKRin feb22. Was not long I noticed in theapy couldn't seem to get flexion after114rom. Went down to 105 and stayed there. Dr did mua June 17th. A nightmare. Over 2 weeks now. Still with walker. Home Health. Off feet except need ING to get up. Back on rpm machine. Dr said plastic may be to big and need replacing. Oh my goodness, no test to check it? How would he know? Says maybe that's why knee want bend? Maybe? Someone help me. 5 months out from TKR. Painful knee since mua. Is this normal for a long time? I have been lied to so much. Now my trust is not good. How do you know if your knee is infected. Dr never checks anything. Most confusing 5 months of my life. I know someone relates, I have read some sad scary stories on here. Heartbreaking also. I am really scared. ammaw52

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1 reply
mgorham32 | @mgorham32 | Jul 8, 2022
In reply to @sueinmn "That is a lot of surgeries for a lifetime, let alone for one joint. I am..." + (show)
@sueinmn

That is a lot of surgeries for a lifetime, let alone for one joint. I am sorry for all you have been through. My cousin and I had hip replacement surgeries at the same time 15 years ago. Hers became repeatedly infected and had to be permanently removed. Until other ailments caught up with her last year, she managed using a walker at home & a wheelchair out and about. Now she uses the wheelchair or a scooter...
I see that you cannot bend the leg any more. Do you manage with a walker? Can you tell us a bit more about your situation, like whether the removal of the last implant has allowed them to cure the infection?
Sue

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The infection was cured back in August 21 when I had my last surgery which was to place a new spacer in the knee. This is why the surgeon hesitates greatly due the high probability of another infection if an implant were attempted. I no longer use and device to assist walking as I can get around well enough without them. Of course I no longer drive.

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