Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Knee replacement gone haywire

Quickly, I went in for total knee replacement, and afterwards was doing excellent, better than most.  I was walking on a cane withing 3 weeks.  Then, all of a sudden, my knee started getting red and swollen and hurt.  some nurses and docs said it was infected, some said it wasn't.  Finally, it got so bad they re-hospitalized me and took a million tests, put me on massive amounts of antibiotics, but found I did not have an infection (by blood work), and sent me home not knowing what it was.

That was last week.  I am seeing the doctor today.  I can't walk on my knee, it is swollen to double the size of my other knee, even my foot is swollen.  The entire leg aches, but the knee hurts bad!  It gets flashes of shooting pains, and it burns.  It is extremely red (although I'm still on antibiotics) and it's hot (not any worse than before, though).  I am SICK of this, they don't have a clue what is wrong, so they expect me to walk (or lack of) around like this, stoned on dilaudid, and being totally miserable.

Anybody gone through anything like this and know of anything I can ask the doc about?
6 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Go for a second opinion.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi I hav3 had five lt knee replacement . After my first one my knee was just like  yours,,, no one could or wanted to help me. The first surgeon wanted me to do a Mua. I can’t believe he didn’t see it for what it was... I was in pain, chair bound and miserable. I found a dr who beil3ved in me. I believe you. This dr told me that 50 of the aspirations do not show infections. He and my pcp could see it was infected. Your leg is infected. Antibioditics will not help as a tried oral ones.. I had a temp knew put in and it was a sphaf infection. I had to get a pic line before I got the perm one in. My first dr had did my knee with an open wound I reviecved from my breast cancer surgery three days before knee surg. So I got one more surg where the dr put a longer pin into my knee for stability but now my balance is off. I walk now in little pain but it is much better than it was. I can now do almost normal things but stairs. Before I had my final surg, I got allergy testing as I think I might be allergenic to the metal. Some are allergic to the nickel or titanium in it. However, my perm dr told me that when he had opened me up with sphaf, he found my ten dents wrap around the appliance. Fb me if you need support: Lisa r Norton.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It really sounds like it’s infected. I have worked in orthopaedics for several years. The docs I worked for had to remove the new knee THEN clear up the infection and THEN replace the knee hardware (new knee hardware) if an infection occurred post op. They probably only had one or two of those happen the many years I worked for them. They are not that common but have to be treated properly if they do occur. I would make another appointment to address your concerns with the doc.  If you don’t get anywhere I would seriously think about getting a second opinion ASAP! I hope you can get the treatment you need right away
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Ive had both knees replaced, both hips replaced and will have both my left shoulder replaced this year.  All the replacements feel good no pain at all except for my right knee ever since i came out of this bilateral replacement done two years ago it hasnt been "right".  It took longer to have motion after surgery and now their is a significant pain across the front lower portion of my knee.  It's caused me to go back to using my walker.  What are the signs that a replacement is defective, infected, and also do bodies reject prostectic replacements, or is that strictly for organ?  I've dealt with a lot of pain like most of these people, and like them can usually use different methods to reduce the pain, but nothing is working.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Ive had both knees replaced, both hips replaced and will have both my left shoulder replaced this year.  All the replacements feel good no pain at all except for my right knee ever since i came out of this bilateral replacement done two years ago it hasnt been "right".  It took longer to have motion after surgery and now their is a significant pain across the front lower portion of my knee.  It's caused me to go back to using my walker.  What are the signs that a replacement is defective, infected, and also do bodies reject prostectic replacements, or is that strictly for organ?  I've dealt with a lot of pain like most of these people, and like them can usually use different methods to reduce the pain, but nothing is working.
Helpful - 0
1711789 tn?1361308007
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi there!

Well, without an evaluation it would be difficult to point out the cause of your symptoms. Aside infection, possibilities that would need to be considered are inflammation, DVT, osteodystrophy, trauma/ injuries etc. You could discuss these in detail with your orthopedician. Meanwhile you may try ice-packs and some NSAIDS and see if these may help relieve your symptoms.
Hope this helps.

Take care!
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Orthopedics Community

Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out if PRP therapy right for you.
Tips for preventing one of the most common types of knee injury.
Tips and moves to ease backaches
How to bounce back fast from an ankle sprain - and stay pain free.
Patellofemoral pain and what to do about it.
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.