On 01/19/04, had a (L) knee total replacement at the hospital, on 01/22/04, day of transfer to the hospital rehabilitation unit, I had a fever episode. I was discharge from rehab unit on 01/28/04. Within nine days, I experienced chills, heavy sweating,increased pain and swelling in (L) knee. on 02/06/04, had an emergency irrigation and debridement surgical procedure at the same hospital.
Medical records indicated that I had contracted a coagulase-negative staphyococcus, treated with IV antibiotic, vancomycin and discharged on 02/10/04. Within seven days, home health care nurse, had difficulty flushing picc line,and I was having chest pains and chest pressure to the left side of my chest, high fevers from 103 to 104 gegrees, strong chills, nausea. Back into same hospital on 02/17/04. Emergency room nurse had problems flushing PICC line. PICC line removed from (L) upper arm, (blood clots), and insertion of PICC in upper right arm, to continue vancomycin, there was no improvement since stopping vancomycin, and continuing physical therapy.
I requested a second opinion. My doctor sat up a appointment with a colleague for 04/29/04. After examination, X-rays and blood test, my left total knee replacement was a total failure due too a persistent Coagulative negative Staph infection and loosening, and had to be removed.
I was unhappy with my current level and disability, and I became quite upset and tearful at the suggestion of a long, drawn out treatment of a two staged Menten reimplantation. First staged Revision of (L) knee, on 11/02/04, removal of Biomet Maxim posterior stabilized knee system components, cement, in place, placement of an antibiotic spacer bloke, treatment of infection and reimplantation.
On 03/29/05, second revision of total left knee, I was told by the doctor the surgery was longer than he had anticipated,and with a great deal of complication and difficulty.
If not too late, I want to file a lawsuit against Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center, for pain and suffering. I am alleging that I contracted a dangerous knee infection, Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, within days of (L) knee total replacement. This event was life threatening, subjected me to more hospitalization, required more surgery, proloned my recovery. I have some medical records.
I was terminated from job of ten years,(unable to perform job duties),became deeply depressed, limited mobility in my (L)knee, limp, prolonged walking, standing, sitting increases my pain, in pain every day, poor self esteem, poor quality of life, deep depression, poor relationship with spouse, no sexual activity at all, medications I took and used to treat (L)infected knee aggravated pre existing medical conditions,(hypertension,gastroesophageal reflux, depression), suffer from nightmares, heaving sweats, headaches, weight gain/loss, persistent chest pain, memory loss. Left knee condition, aggravated right knee, also told that I need right total knee replacement. Have been in psychotherapy since 11/05 - present for PTSD.
