Chun's Recovery from Infection post ACL Surgery

by Lincoln Peh
(Melbourne, Australia)

My daugter showing the drainage container to draw fluid out of my infected knee.

Hi Everyone,

I am from Melbourne, Australia. I'd like to share my thoughts on a difficult journey so far.

I had a right knee ACL reconstruction (hamstring autograft) on the 22 July 2009. All went well. I was out of the hospital the next day on clutches. Physio began 3rd day. On the 4th day, I was able to fully extend my knee and flex to 90 degrees. On the 8th day, I was able to walk without crutches.

On the morning of the 10th day, I woke up with extreme pain and sudden swollen knee and slight fever. As it was the beginning of a weekend, I was unable to contact my surgeon. I endured the weekend with the strongest painkillers I have got. It was tough.

12th day, Monday, I turned up at my surgeon's clinic. Ordered immediate X-rays and blood test. The wound itself looks clean, no signs of infection. Suspect inflammation from over-activity. Surgeon ordered to stop physio sessions.

15th day, follow-up appointment with Surgeon. Still swollen, fever pain, lost range of motion. Suspect infection. Admitted to hospital, evening surgery to 'wash up' infected areas. After surgery, it was the first time in many days I was pain free, what a relieve! Surgeon now believes there is an infection from the 'cloudy fluids' inside. Was put on an antibiotics called Flucloxacillin via IV. Tissues from surgery sent to lab for bacteria culture.

19th day, lab confirmed bacteria was Staphy Epidermidis. Antibiotics was changed to Vancomycin via IV. Daily blood test to measure CPR which has been dropping.

23rd day - today. Discharging from hospital. Can fully extend knee and flex to 90 degrees and walk gingerly without crutches. Will be on oral antibiotics (rimycin, fucidin) for one month.

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Chun's Recovery from Infection post ACL Surgery

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Aug 18, 2009
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good luck with your continued recovery
by: Bart - SII

Thanks for posting your story. There are definitely other visitors who will learn from your experience and who will be able to relate what you have been through in the last month.

It sounds like your infection is under control, and that you are going to be able to resume your rehabilitation soon. And prior to the infection, you were doing well. Keep up the rehab, take your time, and you will do well.

Good luck with your continued recovery. Please keep us updated on how you are doing.

Best,

Bart

Aug 31, 2009
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Infection
by: Rob

Thanks for story.

I am probably going for ACL surgery in a couple of weeks time and am freaked out by the risks that might occur.

One of them, as experienced by yourself is infection. Did the doctor mention, how this came about or was it purely a matter of chance? I understand that probability of infection was very low?

Take care

Sep 01, 2009
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Reply to Rob
by: Lincoln Peh

Hi Rob,

Oops. The last thing I wanted to do was to scare every pre-ACL-reconstruction patient out there.

"Why did I have that infection?". This question played in my mind all the time. "Was it the bad sushi I had that day?", "If only I had cleaned my bedsheets.", "Perhaps I should have just stayed at home for two weeks and not go out...", etc etc.

The fact is, chances of infection are very low, well, in developed nations anyway. Apparently, statistically it is less than 1 percent. I had seaked opinions of several doctors (GPs, etc) and all confirmed that there was 'nothing really much I could have done' and that 'it was a matter of chance' and 'bad luck'.

I am no doctor, I am just speaking from my own experiences. Hope my answer helps...