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What Causes Redness And Hotness Inside Knee After Arthroscopy?

Posted on Mon, 17 Nov 2014

Question: My daughter had orthoscopic surgery on her knee august 8, 2014 and ever since the surgery the inside of her knee has been red and very hot. She has been in and out or emergency rooms 3 times and in the hospital for three days for iv antibiotics. She has no fluid in her knee or pus. She ended up with another surgery last week to re-clean out her knee. she has been on Zyvox and Levofloxacin since she was in the hospital October 13, 2014. After her second surgery on October 17th she still has the red, very hot knee. She has to keep ice on it 24/7. The doctors have no idea what is causing this. What do you think?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (22 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It looks like knee infection

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have studied your case and I think it is knee infection. Before I suggest you anything I want to know little detail.
1. What surgery has been done on her knee, is there any screw or metal inside?
2. Get her blood test, like CRP, ESR and WBC.
Please send me answers of these. I will try my best to help you.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (30 minutes later)

Her initial surgery was for a meniscus tear but when they went in they found she didn't have a tear but the dr cleaned out "stuff" underneath her knee cap. I seemed like it never healed after the surgery. It has remained red and very hot ever since. She has no screws or metal in her body. I'm sure they have tested her blood for the tests you want so at her dr appointment tomorrow I will get the results for you. An infectious disease doctor has also been involved and he's the one who prescribed the zyvox and the other antibiotic she's on. They just can't figure out what on earth is causing this. They are guessing a skin infection but nothing is helping her. While in the hospital her white blood count cells were over 18000 and went down to 15000 on the third day so they let her go home on oral antibiotics. But again, nothing has helped and they have no idea what's causing it.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Need to rule out allergic reactions

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have studied your case and I must admit that it is very strange case. Usually meniscus surgery is not causes such infection. As there is no screw or implant inside so it is a good sign.
I would suggest you to get a opinion from skin specialist also. As it can be a allergic reaction to also.If there is infection, then we need to get pus culture test. It will tell us which bacteria is causing damage to knee and which antibiotics are most effective.
I hope this answer will be useful for you. Let me know if there is any other followup questions.
thanks

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj