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Tight band feeling 2 years after total knee replacement
Two years after 2 total knee replacements, I still have a 360 degree tight band feeling 3 inches above and below my knees. Every step I take feels like my knees are blocks of cement wrapped in tight rubber bands. My CRP is 23.1 and ESR is 44 indicating inflammation/infection somewhere. I had a course of 5mg prednisone, which did nothing. Three Orthopedic Surgeons claim my implants look good and my extension and flexion are fine. Yet every movement feels terrible. Help!
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I am 24 months past left hip arthroplasty, and I have pain galore. But I am here to tell you something important. I have THREE times been on antibiotics and had complete resolution of pain and restoration of mobility. This is no joke. Running, golfing ... all possible again. Yes, I have been tested thoroughly, x-rays, blood tests, 2 bone scan plus 2 white cell scan, MAR CT, and aspiration. ALL NEGATIVE. Yet I am seeking more opinions and ultimately an indefinite renewal of my amoxicillin prescription. The literature on this is new and growing very slowly. I am quite sure that what I have is a low grade covert infection that responds to cefalexin and amoxicillin very, very well. More PHD's are suspecting that what they had believed to be aseptic loosening's, were in fact infected. It took investigation of tissue during surgery to even hope to find it. These infections are almost impossible to prove, yet are destroying people. If you have this situation, get cefalexin 3 caps per day for 14 days and watch... and learn.
EDIT: Note that you will resolve, but you WILL relapse. Antibiotics must be for long duration. How long... anybody's guess.
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1 ReactionInteresting to read this. I am recovering from a so-called simple knee replacement revision. Supposedly the problems I had from a 5 year old knee replacement were from a spacer in the device that was too thin. I was told how quick the procedure would be and what a breeze the recovery would be.
I'm on Day 9 of my recovery. The surgeon, not the original orthopedist who did the replacement, another surgeon in the practice, discovered my implant was loose, dislocated, and infected. I had a fracture where the device was attached to my bone. I have been in pain for years, and went through PT and then developed hip pain, leading to a hip replacement in the same leg.
My point is, my CRP was normal as was my Sed Rate. But I still had an infection. I was prescribed 2 days of antibiotics when I left the hospital after my revision. I see the doctor Wednesday for my two week follow up. I'm going to ask about the antibiotics.