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What Causes Redness Around The Area Of Knee Post Knee Replacement Surgery?
Question: Hello,
My father has been suffering from acute arthritis. He is aged around 60 years. He underwent knee replacement surgery for both knees around 20-25 days back. He was discharged from the hospital withing 7-10 days.
However his fever is not subsiding (around 101degree Far), he is not feeling hungry and of late his skin has turned red around one of the knees (the one which got operated later).
The doctor in our home town got CSR and ERP tests done and told that he has developed some kind of infection and we would be going to consult the doctor who operated my father in next couple of days.
I wanted to know:
1) Based on the symptoms what are the kind of infections he would have developed?
2) How serious are the infections?
3) What more tests needs to be done to ascertain the type of infection
4) How much time would be needed for cure?
I am also attaching the initial blood test report
Looking forward to a quick response.
My father has been suffering from acute arthritis. He is aged around 60 years. He underwent knee replacement surgery for both knees around 20-25 days back. He was discharged from the hospital withing 7-10 days.
However his fever is not subsiding (around 101degree Far), he is not feeling hungry and of late his skin has turned red around one of the knees (the one which got operated later).
The doctor in our home town got CSR and ERP tests done and told that he has developed some kind of infection and we would be going to consult the doctor who operated my father in next couple of days.
I wanted to know:
1) Based on the symptoms what are the kind of infections he would have developed?
2) How serious are the infections?
3) What more tests needs to be done to ascertain the type of infection
4) How much time would be needed for cure?
I am also attaching the initial blood test report
Looking forward to a quick response.
Brief Answer:
Details below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
1) The redness of one of the knee joints is suggestive of an inflammation in the area. It can be due to a bacterial infection or a viral infection or a reactive fever due to the stress caused by both the surgeries.
2) Since the rise of temperature is mild, it is likely to be a mild infection or inflammation. It can be well controlled with the help of medicines.
3) X-ray of the operated joint and aspiration may be needed to check for any effusion.
4) The complete healing of surgical wounds and internal soft tissues usually take six months with regular pain relief medications and regular physiotherapy sessions.
The recovery is considered when the pain and swelling improves much beyond the arthritic pre-operative pain level and dysfunction.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
-*-
Details below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
1) The redness of one of the knee joints is suggestive of an inflammation in the area. It can be due to a bacterial infection or a viral infection or a reactive fever due to the stress caused by both the surgeries.
2) Since the rise of temperature is mild, it is likely to be a mild infection or inflammation. It can be well controlled with the help of medicines.
3) X-ray of the operated joint and aspiration may be needed to check for any effusion.
4) The complete healing of surgical wounds and internal soft tissues usually take six months with regular pain relief medications and regular physiotherapy sessions.
The recovery is considered when the pain and swelling improves much beyond the arthritic pre-operative pain level and dysfunction.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
-*-
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks for your quick response.. As a follow up we wud be admitting our father again in the hospital again till his situation improves
I wanted to know
1. What are some of the initial signs that infection is reducing?
2. Other than x ray what else do you suggest
3. I wanted your opinion on the blood report which i had attached.
4. I will attach the picture of affected area tomorrow so tat you can give your opinion on it
I wanted to know
1. What are some of the initial signs that infection is reducing?
2. Other than x ray what else do you suggest
3. I wanted your opinion on the blood report which i had attached.
4. I will attach the picture of affected area tomorrow so tat you can give your opinion on it
Brief Answer:
Infection
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing again.
The fever will reduce if the infection subsides.
A direct physical examination is an integral part of diagnosis. Complete blood counts will also help. If there is any discharge at the site of stitches then it can be cultured to find out the infection.
Joint aspiration fluid culture is also recommended.
The blood report is non specific and can be due to inflammation also. It does not conclusively point towards an infection.
Will wait for close up images.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Infection
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing again.
The fever will reduce if the infection subsides.
A direct physical examination is an integral part of diagnosis. Complete blood counts will also help. If there is any discharge at the site of stitches then it can be cultured to find out the infection.
Joint aspiration fluid culture is also recommended.
The blood report is non specific and can be due to inflammation also. It does not conclusively point towards an infection.
Will wait for close up images.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
Dear XXXXXXX
As promised please find the picture attached and the medication my father is on currently:
a) Linzoid 2 times a day 600 mg each
b)Vitamin C
c) Augumentin injection 2 times a day
d) Paracetamol
e) Ondem or rantac
I would like your clarification on the following areas:
1) Based on the pictures any more inputs on the infection (please see red marks on the right leg near the injury)
2) Wanted your opinion on the medication also.
3) Any other thoughts you might have on the cure (I am going to admit my father in next 2 days)
Looking forward to your inputs
As promised please find the picture attached and the medication my father is on currently:
a) Linzoid 2 times a day 600 mg each
b)Vitamin C
c) Augumentin injection 2 times a day
d) Paracetamol
e) Ondem or rantac
I would like your clarification on the following areas:
1) Based on the pictures any more inputs on the infection (please see red marks on the right leg near the injury)
2) Wanted your opinion on the medication also.
3) Any other thoughts you might have on the cure (I am going to admit my father in next 2 days)
Looking forward to your inputs
Brief Answer:
Soft tissue infection likely.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
I have seen the pictures attached. The stitch line is healthy but the swelling and redness is suggestive of a soft tissue infection.
The medication he is currently taking is alright. The antibiotics should control the infection in next few days.
It is best to keep the leg elevated on two pillows to reduce the swelling and pain in the area.
Do keep me posted regarding his progress.
Take care.
Soft tissue infection likely.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
I have seen the pictures attached. The stitch line is healthy but the swelling and redness is suggestive of a soft tissue infection.
The medication he is currently taking is alright. The antibiotics should control the infection in next few days.
It is best to keep the leg elevated on two pillows to reduce the swelling and pain in the area.
Do keep me posted regarding his progress.
Take care.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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