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Suggest Remedies For Infection In The Left Knee
Question: My wife has had a severe infection in her left knee since XXXXXXX and is being treated with antibiotics. Dr Ditah has been on this case.. Her knee is always somewhat painful and slightly swollen but of late it is more swollen and appears to be inflamed and more painful. Is there any logical reason for this swelling and inflammation and pain after all these months. She has a call in to her DR but no telling how long that will take. Should she go to the ER if she can't get in to see her DR or just wait it out since this seems to be a normal reaction.
Brief Answer:
Discussion follows
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for your query.
I understand your concern.
Since she has having the pain and swelling from XXXXXXX it is likely to be due to an arthritis like Rheumatoid arthritis or a collagen disease .It may be better to have her examined by a doctor preferably a Rheumatologist and investigated.
If there is any fever, redness or severe pain she needs to be seen in the ER.
Do get back to me if you have further questions.
Discussion follows
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for your query.
I understand your concern.
Since she has having the pain and swelling from XXXXXXX it is likely to be due to an arthritis like Rheumatoid arthritis or a collagen disease .It may be better to have her examined by a doctor preferably a Rheumatologist and investigated.
If there is any fever, redness or severe pain she needs to be seen in the ER.
Do get back to me if you have further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I assumed you knew the whole story. One morning she had a bad pain from her second TKR, some years before. At the ER they wanted to replace the mechanism but first had to get her vitals signs up. Then in mid XXXXXXX they did a partial knee replacement replacing the upper component and it was so loose it came out easily. The infection was Streptococci Equine. She was treated with Rocophin 2 gm via a pic line. Since rehab she is using Cehpalexin by pill. The surgery went well and she has been under the care of an Infectious Disease Dr, but an appointment is hard to get. As of late the knee was more swollen and more inflamed. SO we are wondering if this is significant enough for a trip to the ER? She has no temperature. We talked to the relevant nurse this a.m. and is to see her IF DR next week. Can we wait safely till next week?
Brief Answer:
Discussion continues below
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the details.
It would be better for her to rest the knee now. She can do exercises that do not require weight bearing on the knee , sit on a chair which eliminates weight bearing and exercise the upper limbs and the trunk. She can move, swing , XXXXXXX or swim in the water without much strain.
If there is increase in the redness, swelling or local rise of temperature, it may indicate recurrence of the knee infection and has to be treated without delay. In such a situation it is would be better to go to the ER.
Discussion continues below
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the details.
It would be better for her to rest the knee now. She can do exercises that do not require weight bearing on the knee , sit on a chair which eliminates weight bearing and exercise the upper limbs and the trunk. She can move, swing , XXXXXXX or swim in the water without much strain.
If there is increase in the redness, swelling or local rise of temperature, it may indicate recurrence of the knee infection and has to be treated without delay. In such a situation it is would be better to go to the ER.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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