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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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Debbra Williams, Alumna Mentor | @debbraw | Sep 7, 2023
In reply to @sar370 "So sorry to hear about the infection. The first TKR I was advised to take amoxicillin..." + (show)
@sar370

So sorry to hear about the infection. The first TKR I was advised to take amoxicillin for teeth cleanings the most recent TKR in Jan 2023 the new surgeon advised antibiotics no longer necessary. Does anyone have the same experience?

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In June, I changed dentists. The new dentist asked me to get information from my surgeon regarding antibiotics prior to dental procedures. When I checked, the physician's assistant sent me this information:

(We) encourage joint replacement patients to:
-Maintain good oral hygiene, including routine professional cleanings and care, both before and after joint replacement surgery
-Avoid elective dental procedures (eg, orthognathic surgery, orthodontics, implant placement) for the first 6 months following surgery
-Seek immediate evaluation and treatment for symptomatic dental conditions
-Initiate antibiotic prophylaxis prior to dental procedures for the first year following surgery
-Continue antibiotic prophylaxis prior to dental procedures indefinitely if high risk of a prosthetic joint infection (eg, hematologic malignancy, chemotherapy)

Hope this helps!

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Garygirl | @taftst1 | Sep 10, 2023
In reply to @rguribe "Hello Debbra, regarding my infection, I woke up in the morning and I went to step..." + (show)
@rguribe

Hello Debbra, regarding my infection, I woke up in the morning and I went to step down from the bed and I almost fell down from the pain. I could not walk on it, it was swollen, so I went to the ER. I had no prior symptoms. They drew some fluid from my knee and it was bloody/puss like, and the tests showed an infection. They did emergency surgery the next day. The doctor said that I was fortunate that I did not wait long to get it checked out because the infection could have spread into my bloodstream.

According to the doctor, they cleaned/scrubbed the infected areA, and then they put antibiotic pellets inside the knee before they stitched it up. Unfortunately, they had to put 41 stitches because it was too swollen for just put glue and tape. I now have a pretty nasty scar. I had to be on Vancomycin antibiotic thru a PICC line for 6 weeks which I administered myself twice a day. I lost 20 pounds because the antibiotic took my appetite away, I could barely eat once a day, nausea, dizziness and it killed my stomach, even thou it was administered intravenously.

After 4 months of physical therapy, I am getting better every day. I have to say that this recovery has taken longer and more painful.
The downside is that I have to be on antibiotics for the rest of my life. Oh well, the alternative could have been worse.

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Vanco is a killer! Next you may get cdiff. Ugh. Get that guy in tune. Infectious med will tell you kefir 2,cups a day and a banana. Vanco did nerve damage to me and know I am finding out it can cause adrenal fatigue.

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