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

Is Knee Replacement Surgery Advisable When Suffering From Staph Epidermidis Infection?

Posted on Mon, 13 Jul 2015

Question: I have a knee replacement in my left leg which also has a metal plate from a femur break. This is the leg that has the staph epidermis infection in the replacement. This leg has a vascular amnomalie called Klippel Trenauney. The doctors are hesitant to operate and try to remove all the metal and try to get rid of the infection because of the risks. However, my right knee is bone on bone and I am almost immobile from the pain. My question is what are risks of the infection spreading to the new knee replacement if I take that route? I am on Doxycycline and it seems to be suppressing the infection but I am afraid I will end up with two infected knees.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It is risky to get knee replaced on right knee

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have studied your case. I think it is very risky to get surgery done in right knee before controlling infection in left knee joint. Because infection can spread in this knee also through blood.
I would suggest you to get treatment for left knee infection. If not responding to drugs then removal of plate and cleaning of the tissue.Once this leg is clear of all infection then you should go ahead with right knee replacement under antibiotic cover.
Make sure that at that time your CRP, ESR and other blood tests are normal so that it is proved that there is no infection in your blood.
I hope this answer will be helpful for you.Let me know if there is any other followup questions.
thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (13 hours later)

Thank you for your advice. What do you mean under antibiotic cover? Is it true with the staph epidermis infection in my knee that it is in my blood right now because that would make a very high risk of infection if I had the right knee replaced?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes there is shigh cchances that it is in blood

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
When there is any infection in body it get in blood. It is called bacteremia. So when there is infection in one part it can spread in other part also. It is very difficult to prove it. Blood tests like ESR, CRP and bone scan can help.
Also when I say antibiotic cover I mean that you should check what antibiotic is effective on staph in your wound.Then give it three weeks before and after surgery. So that any chance of blood borne infection can be taken care of.
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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar