HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Infection In The Joint After Multiple Knee Replacement Surgeries. Suggested To Put Antibiotic Block In The Joint. Is This A Normal Procedure?

hi my dad had knee replacement twice on his right knee. he has infection in around the joint which he was on antibiotic for but waas stopped on them so they could grow some cultures to see if they could match an antibiotic. in this time he developed a very bad infection in the leg ended up in hospital with bad infction which has nearly poisoned his body. was told today only option is to put in a block of antibiotic and remove the joint . have u ever heard of this.
Wed, 17 Jul 2013
Report Abuse
Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement,  's  Response
Hi, thanks for writing to HCM.

This is just to let you know that REVISION KNEE REPLACEMENTS always yields less success rates when compared to primary total knee replacement.

Once an infection sets in after a joint replacement surgery, it is never going to be eradicated with antibiotics alone (however powerful they may be). So the only option is to remove the prosthetic components and put in ANTIBIOTIC SPACERS for atleast 6 months.During this period, he should also receive parenteral (I.V.) antibiotics. A number of tests have to be done afterwards to rule out persisting infection. A revision is to be planned after confirming that there is no focus of infection in the joint and elsewhere in the body.

This is the standard protocol for managing an infected total knee arthroplasty.

Hope this information is helpful. Good day
I find this answer helpful
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Recent questions on Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus


Loading Online Doctors....
Infection In The Joint After Multiple Knee Replacement Surgeries. Suggested To Put Antibiotic Block In The Joint. Is This A Normal Procedure?

Hi, thanks for writing to HCM. This is just to let you know that REVISION KNEE REPLACEMENTS always yields less success rates when compared to primary total knee replacement. Once an infection sets in after a joint replacement surgery, it is never going to be eradicated with antibiotics alone (however powerful they may be). So the only option is to remove the prosthetic components and put in ANTIBIOTIC SPACERS for atleast 6 months.During this period, he should also receive parenteral (I.V.) antibiotics. A number of tests have to be done afterwards to rule out persisting infection. A revision is to be planned after confirming that there is no focus of infection in the joint and elsewhere in the body. This is the standard protocol for managing an infected total knee arthroplasty. Hope this information is helpful. Good day