Total knee replacement infection after 9 years.

Hi, I am wondering has anyone had to use a machine at home to help straighten their leg after a TKR? This has been quite a journey so for. About 4 months of pt. A manipulation. 3 weeks of home health. Now back to pt. Rom 99. Leg -15 straight. 2nd of August will be 6 months out from TKR. Just got off the walker and now on a cane. Can your leg really be made straight? If not I don't want to keep going thru pointless thearpy. Someone please give me some advice. I have felt lost for over 5 months now. I am wore out as I know many of you are and have been.

HI.. thanks to a doctor doing a bad job, at 47, I had my first knee replacement., he only did a partial, because "I was so young".. needless to say, three weeks later another doctor had to put in a full replacement, and 9 surgeries later, I now have a bad infection also.. this is over an 8 year span. I was told today when I went to see a dr on an emergency time visit (I see the knee dr on Tuesday) because I have been in such pain. I thought it was the starting of a Bakers Cyst because of the swelling and lump. The dr said no because there was nothing there to cause that. He told me that IF I had an infection (did the blood work and the two tests, for infection came back high) he said that what would happen would be that I would have to have emergency surgery, they would go in and take out the fake knee, but some kind of block in so that the knee would not bend until the infection went away, then do another (3rd) replacement. I broke down and started to cry..

Good evening @aleznek, I would be crying too. What a nightmare, as you have described it. What is so surprising is that last night I spent an hour on the phone with a very good friend who is having similar if not the same issues. She fell going downstairs about a month ago and broke her patella. She was taken by ambulance to the ER where emergency surgery was performed. This week she had a second surgery similar to what you have described. She is devastated that her knee will not be able to bend for some time. She was told it would take about a year to recover. When you are already facing aging issues and would be called elderly, a year seems like a very long time.

So....these tragedies do happen. Why have you needed 9 knee surgeries? I don't think I have ever heard of that many.
I don't know where you live or what facilities are available to you. And to be forthright, I don't have a medical background. However, I have had 14 orthopedic surgeries in my 81 years. My first one was at age 13. My last one was at 79. And so I must ask you......what do you hope to receive from Mayo Connect? This is a forum that depends upon kindly and nonjudgemental acceptance of members who can learn from and even inform others by sharing medical experiences.

Do you have expectations that the recovery pattern presented needs to be reviewed or validated? Do you have access to a teaching hospital in your vicinity? Would you benefit from having a mental health therapist meet with you to help you recover from the threatening diagnosis and assist you in developing emotional strength for this part of your surgical journey?

May you be safe, protected, and free from inner and outer harm.
Chris

Hi Chris-
I moved to AZ (Surprise area) 8 years ago from IL, and I was always in good health before I moved here.. must be something in the sun...I went to CORE.. big mistake. That is who screwed up the knee. I had a partial, a full replacement, several going ins and cleaning up, shortening of the stick that connects the two pieces, drainings, and even went to Mayo for the last surgery..now facing what I just read about infections setting in years later and I will find out (From CORE beacuse I am currently out of work and Mayo does not take Medicaid..) if I need the two surgeries where they take out the knee, put a block in and get rid of the infection, then do another full knee surgery. I really do not know if I can do this...I produce scar tissue minutes after surgery.. I have to say, I googled "infection years after knee replacement" and found the question being asked on your site.. that is why I signed up.. I am thankful I found it.. if anything, like I have been told by doctors.. I am truley the poster child of "Do not get a knee replacement at a young age.."

I would love to talk to someone, as you suggest.. I am NOT the person I was when I moved here, I put on 100 lbs in the last few years because I cannot do anything.. the knee buckles at anytime, and if I fall,. I am done.. I have such low self esteem, and I have taught myself to live with the pain.. it is not fun.. I get depressed often.. I am single.. and no one wants me.. 🙁

Any help will be appreciated.
Alissa

I can relate. I’ve had three surgeries since January. First was a TKR that got infected after five weeks. The second was a partial revision, but the infection didn’t go away. The third took out everything and put in a spacer until the infection goes away. I am now awaiting a test to see if it’s gone and they will schedule the fourth TKR. This will be 4 surgeries in 5 months. It really has sucked to be me this year, but you’re not alone. Let’s both hang in there!!!

I am in the same boat as you after 2 joint infections and 3 surgeries to clean out infection I have a steel rod and
spacer in my knee. It has been in since october 19th 2022. I keep getting cellulitis in my leg and. It is very painful and swollen, I can't bend or put weight on It. I have been on so many antibiotics that my white blood cells are low. All of this is postponing surgery I am 54 years old and used to be very active until august when I got sepsis for the second time I have been very limited in what I can do since then due to pain and a non bending knee. I have to use a walker. But I am not giving up hope. I am currently being seen in indianapolis but I am goin to try and get in at Vanderbuilt, Mayo or Cleveland Clinic. If anyone has suggestions pleas let me know and I will do the same if I find a wonder surgeon or clinic.

I see your post from July 3, 2022. How has your improvement been? I am going thru a lot also.

Hi, I really sympathize with your situation and the frustration and pain and loss if independance. My TKR , left leg was June, 2019, infection set in August , ‘19, cleaned out but no revision. Infectious Disease Doc gave me 50/50 chance of infection returning. I was on PICC line, too, I forget the drug, for 6 weeks and then orally until end of Feb. 2020. Feb. 2022 was my 2 year all clear of infection milestone. I am very spiritual and thankful to God that this infection has not come back and I publicly give Him all the glory for this infection not returning. I am holding off replacing my right knee which is also bad, very little cartilage left, because of the terrible results of my left.
A small local hospital did my left. I am now under the care of an excellent doctor in the Froedtert medical system in Milwaukee, WI, Dr. Nelson-Freund. I also have degenerative back issues now which I am advised not to have surgery done on due to infection and blood clot issues.

Wating on another surgeon to schedule me pain, edema, and swelling seem to be worse. my primary caregiver thinks it is time to put my implant back in as my labs are better. but it is up to the surgeon

I am thanking god and my wife that I am still alive. and praying to get back on my feet, midnight mass is the last time i could attend church with lots of help from my family. i am looking forward to returning. you will be in my prayers.