infection and knee surgery

[wiscan]

Many online sites, and acquaintences, warn about infection in the knee after knee replacement.  Although the doctor uses a pre-surgery antibiotic and tests for MRSA (staph) and treats if needed, the threat of infection still seems to hover over such surgeries.

The hospital has given me a special cleanser to use the week before surgery.  I have had my teeth cleaned.  And, I do understand that if I get sick, surgery will be rescheduled.  

However, I still wonder how serious of a risk is infection with these precautions?  Are there any other possible ways to prevent infection?

[Michael L Gross, MD]

The risk factors for infection really fall into three categories: evironmental factors, host factors, and characteristics of the bacteriae themselves.  The hospital and doctors do everything they can to control the environment.  This includes administering antibiotics, wearing protective suits in the operating room, operating in special airflow rooms, and simply maintaining sterile conditions during surgery.  The bacteriae are who they are.

On your part, you can do everything to keep your resistance high.  This includes simple things such as keeping up with a good diet in the weeks up to surgery, getting plenty of rest, and avoiding possible sources of infection in the days leading up to surgery.

All that said, the risk of infection after knee surgery remains extremely low.  I'm sure you'll do well.  Best of Luck!

[amywilli]

A related discussion, Risks of knee surgery was started.

[balthrup]

A related discussion, Outbreak of shingles 3 days before tkr was started.

[wiscan]

Thank you for the reassurance.  The threat of infection and its possible consequences has been on my mind for some time.  I will certainly do my part to be healthy and ready for surgery.