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Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly  Oh, I am so sorry to hear that. But at least most kinds of staph are treatable. P/O infections are not common after surgery on joints but they do happen from time to time in orthopedics. Was Alex' original knee surgery one that involved going into the joint capsule - such as a meniscal tear repair or debridement/partial excision or ACL repair? The culprit often turns out to be the O.R. room used or an O.R. staff member. Most po staff infections are picked up in the hospital setting, especially among patients with weakened immune systems. Years ago, the hospital where the orthopedic surgeon I worked for was on staff, had multiple post-op staph infections & the Health Department had to close one of their O.R.'s down for a period of time & 5 of our knee surgery patients were victims of it. We had to have our own clinic where those patients were followed up specially cleaned & take all kinds of precautions to avoid its spread to other patients. It was a nightmare. All surgeons have patients with p/o infections & that doesn't mean they did anything unsanitary, etc., such as in my employer's case. It it just one of the known hazards of surgery and/or being in a healthcare facility. You might check your surgeon & the hospital's p/o staph infection rate in the last year if you want before he has any other procedures under similar circumstances. Management of p/o staph can be tough. Keep a close eye on Alex' wound & knee & him generally, watching other cuts, if urination is burning, sniffles, etc. Take him into an E.R. at the first sign of anything untoward. If need be, you could always see a specialist in Infectious Disease for a second opinion. I wish Alex an uncomplicated recovery. |
Alex had a fatty tumor come up around his knee area. And yes, they said it was growing into the joint area. I don't necessarily blame the surgeon for the infection but I do think he should have been more aggressive over the last 2 months. I think this infection has been there the entire time. How do you check the staph infection rate? I would really like to know that. Honestly if he has to have anything else done I think I will use a different hospital. I hate to say that but there are many reasons for that decision. I appreciate you listing the things for me to watch for. I am clueless when it comes to things like this.
I have considered switching to the other hospital for his wound care. I have a friend who works there and she has done a lot to help me with this. I may do that after my visit on Tuesday. Thanks for all the advice. You have been a sweetheart!