Question:
I don’t have artificial joints but do have other implants and have been on IV and oral antibiotics for pin infections. One thing orthopod said to me was "don’t get sick!!" — what she meant was that a serious, debilitating illness could activate any underlying bone infection (bacteria can hide in bone for years with no active infection) . Impossible of course not to ever get sick, but I do pamper myself a bit now — like if I’m a little sick with a cold or flu I will stay home from work for a day to try to get rid of it, rather than carrying on and risking getting really sick. Also, I wash my hands lots during flu/cold season. I will also see gp sooner for antibiotics or treatment when I do get a cold, to avoid a more serious illness. I wonder if people with joint replacements should do this too, to reduce the risk of serious illness cusing a bone infection?
Response:
AFAIK there are two types of medic-alert devices. The cheaper ($10), low-tech one has all the information engraved on it or written on a wallet card. The more expensive version ($35) also has a 1-800 number to provide lots of info. I wear a necklace of the first type. It gives my name and full home phone, two most serious illnesses (actually, the two most likely to produce unconsciousness), the fact that I wear contact lenses, and a statement to see card in wallet. The card has all my meds, other illnesses, allergies, blood type, doctor’s name and number, etc. I have recommended the second type for a friend’s mother who has Alzheimer’s, so if she wanders away she can be identified and properly treated. Shelley posted – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – i’m curious — how many here wear medic alert bracelets? what do they day? i went to a fire expo a couple months ago, and they had a new type of bracelet (the woman showing them had lupus, btw). instead of a single piece of engraved metal, it had a compartment with a screw-on cap with the medic symbol on the front. inside was a long strip of folded, treated paper on which you could write or type a bunch of info — anything you wanted. there was enough room to list all your medical problems, all your meds, emergency contacts, etc; you could replace the strip whenever circumstances changed. the compartment itself was about the size of a small watchface. it was available as a pendant, bracelet, or a doohickey you could attach to a watch strap or shoelace. anyone using one of these? i am seriously considering getting one, since i know it’s important for medics to know you are on prednisone, among other things. they are a little pricey (about $30 for the bracelet, IIRC)… [and, of course, i do *not* sell them].
Response:
Well thats good information and something to think about when operations are involved but I dont see what could be done about it becose I would not have the operation unless I had too and I think most people are that way. That happened to a friend of mines son who was in a car wreck and had a leg broken in several places with all the plates, screws that were involved that much later became infected and nearly lost the leg. As good as medicine is some things can not be helped. 40 years ago he probably would of lost the leg to begin with. We are lucky to live in the time that we do and hopes for tommorow are high. Harv – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I don’t have artificial joints but do have other implants and have been on IV and oral antibiotics for pin infections. One thing orthopod said to me was "don’t get sick!!" — what she meant was that a serious, debilitating illness could activate any underlying bone infection (bacteria can hide in bone for years with no active infection) . Impossible of course not to ever get sick, but I do pamper myself a bit now — like if I’m a little sick with a cold or flu I will stay home from work for a day to try to get rid of it, rather than carrying on and risking getting really sick. Also, I wash my hands lots during flu/cold season. I will also see gp sooner for antibiotics or treatment when I do get a cold, to avoid a more serious illness. I wonder if people with joint replacements should do this too, to reduce the risk of serious illness cusing a bone infection?
Response:
I wonder if people with joint replacements should do this too, to reduce the risk of serious illness cusing a bone infection?
Hi Cathy: My experience has been that there are two schools of thought on this issue. One opinion is that someone who has had joint replacement surgery should use antibiotics for any infection and thus eliminate the risk of the prostheses becoming infected. The other is that antibiotics should be used only when infections do not clear by other means so that one does not become imune to the antibiotics. It really depends who you talk to. Rose
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This sounds like a great idea. I do have a paper in my billfold with my diagnosis, a list of meds I’m taking (sometimes hard to remember to update it) and phone #’s of doctors, pharmacies, etc. I assume the rescue squad will find it in an emergency. Barbara Joy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – i’m curious — how many here wear medic alert bracelets? what do they day? i went to a fire expo a couple months ago, and they had a new type of bracelet (the woman showing them had lupus, btw). instead of a single piece of engraved metal, it had a compartment with a screw-on cap with the medic symbol on the front. inside was a long strip of folded, treated paper on which you could write or type a bunch of info — anything you wanted. there was enough room to list all your medical problems, all your meds, emergency contacts, etc; you could replace the strip whenever circumstances changed. the compartment itself was about the size of a small watchface. it was available as a pendant, bracelet, or a doohickey you could attach to a watch strap or shoelace. anyone using one of these? i am seriously considering getting one, since i know it’s important for medics to know you are on prednisone, among other things. they are a little pricey (about $30 for the bracelet, IIRC)… [and, of course, i do *not* sell them]. Shelley
– He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25
Response:
(makes me wonder if people with implants should have medic alert bracelets??)
i’m curious — how many here wear medic alert bracelets? what do they day? i went to a fire expo a couple months ago, and they had a new type of bracelet (the woman showing them had lupus, btw). instead of a single piece of engraved metal, it had a compartment with a screw-on cap with the medic symbol on the front. inside was a long strip of folded, treated paper on which you could write or type a bunch of info — anything you wanted. there was enough room to list all your medical problems, all your meds, emergency contacts, etc; you could replace the strip whenever circumstances changed. the compartment itself was about the size of a small watchface. it was available as a pendant, bracelet, or a doohickey you could attach to a watch strap or shoelace. anyone using one of these? i am seriously considering getting one, since i know it’s important for medics to know you are on prednisone, among other things. they are a little pricey (about $30 for the bracelet, IIRC)… [and, of course, i do *not* sell them]. Shelley
Response:
Bruce-Infection is ALWAYS one of the things that is possible with any surgery. Surgery as big as a joint replacement or as small as removing a sliver from your finger. Infection is a risk. I am not certain about other joint replacements, but I recieved IV antibiotics while I was in the hospital. I think this is probably a common practice for all joint replacement surgeries. Just do as your doctor suggests, and dont let any cats bite you, and you should be OK. Char
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Awful hardly describes it – it’s really shocking that it’s the first I’ve heard of this problem. Have I been living in a cave? Is everyone who gets a TKR briefed on this problem? Now I’m really soured on my proposed surgery!
There is always the slight danger of infection in any operation, as Char said. You will note that the original poster said this had been discussed in nursing school. Sounds like a precautionary tale to remind prospective nurses of the importance of maintaining the normal precautions of hand-washing and antiseptic procedures. All implants in the body have the potential to get infections, which is why anybody with an implant gets prophylactic antibiotics prior to any kind of invasive procedure which might release bacteria into the blood stream. (this includes dental procedures… getting my antibiotics just before dental cleaning the 12th) Again, the nun with the cat bite was said to have forgotten to tell the personnel at the hospital about her implants when she was treated. Perhaps prompt administration of antibiotics then would have prevented the outcome. (makes me wonder if people with implants should have medic alert bracelets??) There is also the very slight chance of serious outcome for any surgery due to the anesthesia (ever-so-slightly greater chance with general than with regional). Anybody contemplating surgery should be aware of this and accept the risk. You should discuss all these potentials and his record for your type of operation with your surgeon… may help to put this all in perspective. I know you’ll do great, Bruce. Remember, there has been great progress in this kind of operation over the last decade or two, and who knows how old the nun story is!! Best regards, LadyAndy2
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Hi Barbara, I had a staff infection in my femur from my 2nd THR. Didn’t find out it was that till 5 days after my 3rd replacement. One year after that it had eaten away all of the cement so my hip was very loose. the Dr. took out my 3rd one out May 15, 91 They Packed my leg with antibotic pellets an put in a spacer in my hip. Also had to have a Hickman put in my chest for IV therapy. Took my IV Antibotic till Sept 1st. Was non weight bearing untill then also. They put my 4th hip in July 21,91 At the time i had to have bone grafting done at the top of my femur. That is my I was non weight bearing for an extra 6 weeks. it was Thankgiving befor I was full weight bearing, but sill with a cane sometime my crutches. On my antibotic treatment I had a gram of vamcomicin( misspelled) every 12 hours for 3 1/2 months. Still have trouble with my hip but no infection anymore we don’t think. I had a wonderful Dr. Oh by the way I got my infection from my 2nd hip relpacement my Dr. at that time never did anything about it , It took my hand surgeon to find out that something was wrong. So this was so long. Good luck to your friend father. it was the worst summer of my life. Ketha
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Awful hardly describes it – it’s really shocking that it’s the first I’ve heard of this problem. Have I been living in a cave? Is everyone who gets a TKR briefed on this problem? Now I’m really soured on my proposed surgery! Bruce W. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -case, they weren’t able to clear the infection that had started with a simple cat bite but settled in her tkr’s. To save her life, they had to amputate. Awful, huh? Barbara Joy
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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – … In nursing school we heard a story about a nun with two tkr’s. She was bitten by a cat, and forgot to mention her tkr’s in the ER when she was being treated. She ended up being a double amputee. Scary stuff. Barbara Joy How did the cat bite and the tkr’s lead to double amputation? Just morbid curiosity. midori
Any infection from anywhere can travel to an artificial joint, where it is almost impossible to get rid of. That’s why antibiotics are prescribed before dental work in people with artificial joints ~ to avoid the introduction of bacteria that could work it’s way to the joint. In the nun’s case, they weren’t able to clear the infection that had started with a simple cat bite but settled in her tkr’s. To save her life, they had to amputate. Awful, huh? Barbara Joy — He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25
Response:
Was there a *magnet* on that fridge????? (I’m keeping score) (Sorry – I know yours was a serious message but I couldn’t resist) Bruce W. <grin – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -The infection is strep and came about from a scratch he got from the fridge . . . Barbara Joy
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It was a very *BIG* cat! Bruce W. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – How did the cat bite and the tkr’s lead to double amputation? Just morbid curiosity. midori
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… In nursing school we heard a story about a nun with two tkr’s. She was bitten by a cat, and forgot to mention her tkr’s in the ER when she was being treated. She ended up being a double amputee. Scary stuff. Barbara Joy
How did the cat bite and the tkr’s lead to double amputation? Just morbid curiosity. midori
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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – … In nursing school we heard a story about a nun with two tkr’s. She was bitten by a cat, and forgot to mention her tkr’s in the ER when she was being treated. She ended up being a double amputee. Scary stuff. Barbara Joy How did the cat bite and the tkr’s lead to double amputation? Just morbid curiosity. midori
Hi Midori, I cant speak for Barbara Joy but my vet told me that a cats bite is almost as poisonous as a snakes bite. I had carried one dog and one cat with the cat in a carrier becose of large cists on both of them from a cat and dog fight with our other cat. It cost me about $40 dollars at a time that I didnt have any extra money and was interested in not having to do it again and found out there is not a thing I could do about it. Harv
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The worst thing that can happen is they could take the the implant out and they would cast his entire leg for seversl months then put the knee back in, I have known someone who has gone through this after getting strep throat. Laura
Response:
This is what I have heard too, although I haven’t spoken to anyone who went through it. I did have contact with somebody on one of the newsgroups who had that happen with a hip, and she was without a hip for I think 6 months until the infection was completely cleared up and eventually got fitted with a new prosthesis. (her case was very complicated as I recall, requiring multiple surgeries and such, all before that first replacement which failed, so hard to place blame exactly) Best wishes to your friend… let us know how he does! LadyAndy2
I spoke with my friend today about his dad. (Walt is the dad’s name) The infection is strep and came about from a scratch he got from the fridge, of all places. The doctor is quite optimistic that he’ll get it under control, tho Walt’s alcoholism complicates the issue some. He will be without a knee joint for 3 or 4 months while getting IV antibiotics, just as Bonnie said. What do they do in the meantime??? Cast the leg? I imagine he won’t be able to bear any weight on that leg, will he? In nursing school we heard a story about a nun with two tkr’s. She was bitten by a cat, and forgot to mention her tkr’s in the ER when she was being treated. She ended up being a double amputee. Scary stuff. Barbara Joy — He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25
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Barbara I can’t answer your question but please keep us informed. I just had a right tkr last month. Bob
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Isn’t the usual outcome of this scenario an amputation?
I don’t think so. From what I have read, the joint is sometimes removed for a period of time when there is serious infection. The person is treated with IV antibiotics and when the infection is completely cleared up another artificial joint can be put in. This can sometimes take months. (I just can’t imagine living without a knee joint for that length of time!) Bonnie Never enter into a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent 
)
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I don’t think so. From what I have read, the joint is sometimes removed for a period of time when there is serious infection. The person is treated with IV antibiotics and when the infection is completely cleared up another artificial joint can be put in. This can sometimes take months. (I just can’t imagine living without a knee joint for that length of time!) Bonnie
This is what I have heard too, although I haven’t spoken to anyone who went through it. I did have contact with somebody on one of the newsgroups who had that happen with a hip, and she was without a hip for I think 6 months until the infection was completely cleared up and eventually got fitted with a new prosthesis. (her case was very complicated as I recall, requiring multiple surgeries and such, all before that first replacement which failed, so hard to place blame exactly) Best wishes to your friend… let us know how he does! LadyAndy2
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Hi all, I have a friend who’s father is vacationing in Seattle. He has been hospitalized there with a serious infection in his knee. They are planning to remove his artificial joint temporarily. I don’t know any more details than that, but it scares me for him. What are his chances?? Isn’t the usual outcome of this scenario an amputation? Thanks for any info. Barbara Joy — He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25
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