Excessive swelling and pain 4weeks post ACLR & Meniscus repair on right knee

[kellymorris86]

I am wondering if anyone can give any advice. I shall try keep a brief story.
5/5/11 i ruptured my ACL and my medial meniscus. I had 12weeks post op physio whilst in a brace and crutches.
4/8/11 They operated on my right knee doing a hamstring graft for my ACL and made a repair on my meniscus, cleaned up the knee as there was a lot of "bits" all inside.
1 week post op the nurse noticed my wounds didnt look too good and my knee was overly swollen and the pain i was in was unreal... I was started on some antibiotics and started physio...
2weeks post op, physio really couldnt do much with how swollen my knee is and how much pain I am still in.
3weeks post op I finally get an emergency post op appointment with my surgeon, he drains 150ml of fluid from my knee and also did blood tests. I then got a call a couple of days later to tell me I needed to come back in to speak with the surgeon about my results. This was today, 4 weeks post op and i went to my appointment.
My knee is still at least double if not more in size, you can see the fluid, the squishyness etc It had odd looking lumps around the knee that are just full. The only way I can describe the feeling is like a balloon inflated inside my knee pushing outwards.
Well my results were showing a high level for infection and inflamation within my body. from this the surgeon restistrar told me he would be operatiing tomorrow to "clean out my knee" but first he wanted to repeat the blood tests to check if the markers were still high. He sent me home saying he would call to arrange tomorrows operation.
I finally got a call back late this evening to say my levels were slightly lower, so now they arent operating and to just carry on as normal, see my gp for more pain relief... It was then followed by another call from the secretary saying they wanted to see me in another week to re assess...

Please someone give me some advice, I dont know how much more of this I can take, 4 weeks post op and I am in a worse state than the day Ihad my operation. 3day post op I was weight baring and really doing well.. Now I am in so much pain and discomfort It is really starting to get to me.. They admitted it isnt normal, so why not do something about this? I generally feel rubbish, feel like I have flu every day, yet nothing ever comes from it, I feel so warn and washed out and tired. I just feel I am now being ignored and I am to just grin and bare this.

sorry to rant on, please advise as best you can.
Many thanks.

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

Well, with your description it sounds like the infection/ inflammation has started to settle down and is responding to medications; hence the operation has been avoided at this stage, which would have been associated with a higher risk of complications. The doctor has suggested a review in a week to see if the levels are still improving/ static or decreasing, since in the latter case the decision to operate may be re-taken. You may continue using the medications you have been prescribed or see your PCP in case of any urgent issue.
Hope this is helpful.

Take care!

[kellymorris86]

Thank you for your reply :)
I finished all medication apart from pain killers almost 2 weeks ago now. So it must be my own immune system that is tackling the infection as the bloods were taken after the antibiotics had finished. But due to having 2 courses they wasnt giving me any more and just waiting to see what happens. Obviously surgery is a huge risk but at this moment in time, i just want pain and swelling free i really am so fed up with the whole thing now. Thank you for replying so quickly though.
Take care,

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

Yes, it does sound more like the effect of your immune system. You may try applying ice-packs or some Tylenol or NSIADS for pain relief. Hopefully this should get better in a few days.

Good Luck n Take care!