Guest guest Posted January 1, 2001 Report Share Posted January 1, 2001 A dreaded complication of total joint replacement surgery is infection. At best, an infected joint will require prolonged intravenous antibiotic therapy. At worst, an infection can require replacement of the prosthesis. In rare cases it can't be replaced, and it would have to be taken out. I hope you were informed that you must have antibiotics before dental procedures. Osteoarthritis patients with replacement don't have to take antibiotics, but immunocompmomised patients such as all of us with RA must take them. Here is a good article that explains it: http://www.aaos.org/wordhtml/papers/advistmt/denta.htm They advised me to only participate in low impact exercises. That all I can do anyway because my ankles and feet are in bad shape. Other than limiting impact and taking antibiotics before any dental procedure, I don't know of any other limitations. Here's what one doctor says: ALLOWABLE ACTIVITIES AFTER KNEE REPLACEMENT http://hipsandknees.com/knee/activits.htm Hematomas are one of the most common complication of joint replacement. They took extra care with me because I had phlebitis at one time. I was given IV blood thinners after surgery, which then changed to injections, and finally oral blood thinners. I had pumps on my calves also. COMPLICATIONS OF KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY http://hipsandknees.com/knee/kneecomp.htm You're right, recuperating in the cold weather is not as good as sunny Florida! One of the best exercises you can do is swimming. I joined a gym that had a pool and went 3 times a week for a year. My knees are fabulous. Now if only they were as successful with ankle replacements a ----- Original Message ----- From: <Auntblabbie2000@...> < egroups> Sent: Sunday, December 31, 2000 11:14 AM Subject: Re: [ ] We Are Still Alive.....LOL > Hi, > > I am rather new to this board and recently had my second tkr. I never > realized that they can become infected. What are the signs,symptoms, etc. I > have developed a hemotama on the outer aspect of the knee which the ortho > feels that he might have to go in and release. This severe pain has been > going on for well over 4 weeks now & at this time we continues to try pt and > pain meds. I have had to continue on short term disability as the pain is > so severe, but the ran out on 12/29/00 & now I must return to work on 1/2/01 > or apply for long term disability which I am told is quite hard to obtain. > > Also following the second tkr, while doing my pt and just walking, doing > daily living activiites, i noticed that i was unable to stand more than 5 > minutes and could only walk aproximately 400 feet. An MRI revealed herniated > discs at L1-L2 and other problems at L3-L4. I have been received epidural > injections in my back and am scheduled for my third and final injection on > 1/2/01. I have noticed some improvement in my back, but not nearly where > it should be. > > Currently we are visiting in Chicago with my sister and her family for the > holidays. We live in sunny WARM south Florida, so this weather has not > exactly been what the doctor has ordered for rehab, Nine inches of snow > fell yesterday and all the melting of icicles turned the front walk into an > ice skating rink!! > > If you wouldn't mind please give me any other tips for these new knees as I > would like to keep the original equipment as long as possible. > > Thanks and angel hugs, > > Debs in FL > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2001 Report Share Posted January 2, 2001 a, Thanks so much for the words of encouragement and the excellent links. They were extremely helpful. We are now back in FL thawing out. Although, it is only a little warmer here, it was 57 degrees when we landed last night. It was a very long day and our flight was on time!!! The houses in FL are not built to handle the cold,once they get cold,they stay cold for a very long time. It is like sleeping in a basement. We even put the " heat " on last night. Some heat, a heat strip with air blowing. We have a pool in our backyard with a spa including solar heat so that I can get more use out of it. Once the days warm up a little bit, it is a little easier making that trip from the spa to our bedroom. The water does make everything feel better, but I have had to learn to limit my time otherwise rigamortis sets in & all the joints start to lock. My doc says that I am overdoing it & need to use moderation. Today I had my third and final epidural injection. It was the most uncomfortable to date. The nurse said that they put the most medicine in the last injection. I have been on the heating paid all day long. Helps with the pain & the chilliness in the house. They doc said that if I still have no significant relief after this injection, my next step would be pain medication or surgery. Here's keeping my fingers crossed. Once again thanks so much for all the infor and support. Happy and healthy new year to you and yours. Debs in FL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2001 Report Share Posted January 7, 2001 Deb, You're welcome Deb. I'm glad you got home safe and sound, but sorry you came home and brought the cold weather with you! Please listen to your body and don't over do it. Water therapy is the best exercise you can do. I love the summertime when I can go in my pool. I hope as I try catching up on my mail, I find that you are feeling better. a ----- Original Message ----- From: <Auntblabbie2000@...> < egroups> Sent: Tuesday, January 02, 2001 8:24 PM Subject: Re: [ ] Debs joint replacements > a, > > Thanks so much for the words of encouragement and the excellent links. They > were extremely helpful. > > We are now back in FL thawing out. Although, it is only a little warmer > here, it was 57 degrees when we landed last night. It was a very long day > and our flight was on time!!! The houses in FL are not built to handle the > cold,once they get cold,they stay cold for a very long time. It is like > sleeping in a basement. We even put the " heat " on last night. Some heat, a > heat strip with air blowing. > > We have a pool in our backyard with a spa including solar heat so that I > can get more use out of it. Once the days warm up a little bit, it is a > little easier making that trip from the spa to our bedroom. The water does > make everything feel better, but I have had to learn to limit my time > otherwise rigamortis sets in & all the joints start to lock. My doc says > that I am overdoing it & need to use moderation. > > Today I had my third and final epidural injection. It was the most > uncomfortable to date. The nurse said that they put the most medicine in the > last injection. I have been on the heating paid all day long. Helps with > the pain & the chilliness in the house. They doc said that if I still have > no significant relief after this injection, my next step would be pain > medication or surgery. Here's keeping my fingers crossed. > > Once again thanks so much for all the infor and support. Happy and healthy > new year to you and yours. > > Debs in FL > > Our websites: http://rheumatoid.arthritis.freehosting.net/ > http://www.rasupport.webprovider.com/ > Change subscription options: > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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