Knee Surgery And Infection

Copyright (c) 2011 Julie Glynn

Infection that develops after knee surgery can pose a serious threat to the welfare of a patient, from fever and extreme pain to organ failure and even amputation. Medical professionals should do all they can to prevent such a problem developing, and quickly diagnose and treat any infection that does arise. If healthcare staff fail to do so, it could amount to medical negligence.

How Do You Get An Infection During Knee Surgery?

All types of surgery carry the risk of surgical site infection. Knee surgery is no different, and there are a several ways in which infection can develop. Firstly, it is possible that a patient is carrying an infection before surgery with then manifests itself post-operatively. However, it is more likely that infection is passed from healthcare staff to the patient, either because the caregivers themselves are unknowingly carrying an infection, or because equipment was not sufficiently sterilised.

With knee surgery in particular, there is an additional risk posed by the amount of tissue damage sustained which increases the chance of infection entering the body.

Symptoms of Post-Operative Knee Infection.

A patient suffering from infection after knee surgery may experience the following symptoms:-

* Pain;

* Unable to bear weight;

* Stiffness of the joint;

* Fever and/or rigors (feeling hot and cold);

* Knee looks red and is warm to the touch.

If infection is not diagnosed quickly, then a patient may start to present symptoms such as:-

* Shortness of breath;

* Pus at the site of incision;

* Abnormal renal and hepatic function.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Infection After Knee Surgery.

It is essential that infection after knee surgery is diagnosed promptly. This is because as the infection spreads and a patient's condition deteriorates, pus will become present in the joints. This rapidly destroys the articular cartilage in the knee, severely delaying recovery time.

Diagnosis should be made by medical professionals via a combination of visual, clinical and laboratory tests. Symptoms of redness, heat around the surgical site, and fever should all act as primary warning signs. A conclusive diagnosis can then be made with blood tests which will show the presence of infection, as well as a culture of the surgical site that should be sent to a laboratory for testing.

Once an infection is found to be present, no time should be wasted in treating it. The course of treatment will depend upon what type of bacteria is causing the problem. Usually antibiotics will be administered, and the knee should be washed out regularly. Occasionally, however, antibiotics alone are ineffective and surgical intervention is necessary. This occurs when the type of infection is such that it is necessary to remove the affected area, a procedure known as surgical debridement.

Post-Operative Knee Infection and Medical Negligence.

The longer infection is left in the knee the harder it is to eradicate. This can have a detrimental effect on the patient's condition, and can potentially compromise the benefits of undergoing surgery in the first place, as well as dramatically prolong the recovery process.

If medical professionals fail to prevent, diagnose or treat an infection in the knee after surgery then it is possible this will amount to medical negligence. Additionally, if it can be found that infection was passed in a negligent manner (such as from non-sterile equipment) this may also lead to a successful claim. You may be able to claim compensation for any pain and suffering caused by the infection, as well as any financial damages the infection has caused you (such as loss of earning or further medical treatment).

To find out more, you should speak to a medical negligence solicitor, who will be able to discuss your case and advice you on the best course of action.


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