Has anyone had a fungal infection in there knee replacement??
Phaeoacremonium minimum fungus attacking my knee replacement?
I have a very rare fungal Knee infection,
Phaeoacremonium minimum attacking my knee replacement.
I was started on Voriconazole (anti fungal)
Knee replacement was removed in late May, an articulating loaded cement spacer was installed which emits a slow release antifungal over 28 days, and debridement was performed it was quite extensive. There were pockets of fluid that had to be drained on the front, back, side and up my knee and thigh.
A large fluid collection was encroaching on my femoral artery and nerves. It was determined to be to risky to remove this pocket of fluid during the first surgery. Subsequently a 2nd fully open surgery was performed about 8 weeks later the knee spacer was left in place. the goal was to remove the pocket of fluid and and full debridement and cleaning of the knee was done, cultures were taken.
at two weeks after the surgery the culture came back positive for the Phaeoacremonium minimum fungus. Now at four weeks the same cultures appear to be negative Phaeoacremonium minimum fungus.
Has anyone had this fungus, I cannot find any case studies of it attacking a joint replacement. My treatment medicine has been changed to posaconazole as of 8/20/25 .I am scheduled for another articulating loaded fungal spacer and debridement again in two weeks.
Thanks,
Steve
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What were your symptoms before your replacement surgery? I’m curious because for the last 2 months my original knee replacement , 11 years ago, has been very very painful and tender with swelling in my upper thigh. I’ve seen an ortho surgeon and have no fractures. My oncologist finally prescribed doxycycline and after 4 days the pain and swelling has subsided about 50%. None of my doctors want to aspirate to check for fluid. My last test was a ct scan but nothing significant has shown up. I have AML and receive Decitabine every 6 weeks.
I had swelling behind my knee, also on the inside of my knee and up my thigh. Under CT and MRI in appeared as a cyst. The doctors think the infection entered through a cut on my leg but I have know idea when that happened. If you think it may be infected they should do a needle aspiration results take about 2 to 4 weeks for the results to grow in a peetre dish.