@sks008 Hello and welcome to Connect. I am so sorry that your husband has been going through all of this, and I have to say that I agree with you. I'm not qualified to give medical advice, and you really need a second opinion from a specialist in the field to answer questions about what safeguards should be followed in your situation. On Connect we learn from each other with shared experiences, and no one can give medical advice here.

Is the next surgery for knee replacement scheduled with the same surgeon? Have you sought opinions from other surgeons or at other medical centers? How is the infection being treated? How has that affected his spine?

I don't have experience with knee replacements, but I have had major surgery with a spinal fusion, and the surgeon had me use an antibiotic ointment in my nose as a preventative for staff infections right before the surgery. I had no issues with infections. I've also had surgery for a broken ankle and no issues with infections. When I've had oral surgery, there is always an antibiotic prescription with it.

Sepsis is a serious issue. Are you asking questions of your surgeon in how to prevent that? You may want to ask LOTS of questions before you consent to any surgical procedure, and make sure to ask what can go wrong and how often that happens. I do know an older woman who had lots of infections after surgery for a broken foot with hardware, and she was in a rehab home and went through multiple surgical procedures to keep clearing the infection and had a wound vac attached for many weeks. She came close to loosing her foot, and I think there were about 8 surgical procedures. They did eventually take out the hardware probably after the bones were set well enough.

I do hope it all goes smoothly the next time and that your husband can regain his mobility.

Jennifer