In part one of total knee replacement infections, it was mentioned the importance of pre-operative blood tests and the fact that you want an orthopedic surgeon with vast experience to help tremendously in keeping the possibility of an infection to a minimum immediately after surgery.
Later infections which can be more common will depend also on your overall health. Having been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, or smoking, and obesity are just a sample of where the incidence of infection can be higher. Your overall nutrition can also play an important factor.
Previous trauma to the joint that was replaced and other surrounding soft tissue injuries can be a factor as well.
Infections that develop later after surgery will be confirmed with a blood test or fluid in the surrounding joint will be drained for further testing.
Getting an infection treated will depend on the severity of it. In some case simple antibiotics taking orally will resolve the issue. If the infection is deeper or more involved then the possibility of surgical intervention will be required. Infections that are more aggressive will not only destroy surrounding bone but it also leads to the losing of the prosthetic components.
Removing the components and having an antibiotic spacer placed in your knee can be a six to eight week ordeal. During that time frame your affected leg is placed an in immobilizer and the leg will remain in a non-weight bearing status After the infection has cleared another set of components are replaced, then rehabilitation continues.
In general the incidence is very low. It will be important however to be sure after you have had your surgery that you take good overall care of your health. Your nutrition, sleep habits and overall lifestyle will be something to strongly consider.
After all, as we age that should be something we are all doing to live the optimal life anyway.
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