Should I take Anti - Biotics ?

[skippybangkok]

Just had 3 needles of knee lubricant injected, and the Dr gives A biotics incase of infection - don't like taking them ( and did not for the past 3 rounds )

I know with a TKR bacteria can be very dangerous, but for a normal knee, how well can anti bodies get into the knee and kill bacteria ?

[Sheryl]

If you are asking whether antibotics (not antibodies) can treat infection in the knee, of course they can.

In this instance it is being given as a precaution. In the West, would usually not give prophylactic antibiotics for this procedure but Thai doctors tend to do so.

[skippybangkok]

Auto typo from iPhone - meant anti biotics

There just seems to be a strong "banality" with regards to introducing Bacteria into the knee ( ie it being dragged in by the needle ).

Just wondering if white blood cells can enter the knee like the rest of the body ?

[skippybangkok]

I think I will skip it - skipped it 3 x already

[augustwest]

Foolish not taking anti-biotics just eat some some plain yogurt with them and you'll be fine

[Sheryl]

Auto typo from iPhone - meant anti biotics

There just seems to be a strong "banality" with regards to introducing Bacteria into the knee ( ie it being dragged in by the needle ).

Just wondering if white blood cells can enter the knee like the rest of the body ?

Still do not understand what you are asking.

Of course white blood cells are present around the knee just as anywhere else in the body but that doesn't have much to do with the decision to take or not take propylactic antibiotics.

The rationale for prophylaxis is indeed that bacteria might have been introduced by the needle (don't follow what you mean by banality). However with proper aseptic technique the risk is small.

[JayBird]

When you ingest anti-biotics they enter the blood stream. Once they are in the blood stream they travel throughout the body (including your knee). If an infection occurs in the knee it will affect the blood stream. This means that the anti-biotics can interact with the infection and neutralize them. This allows time for your own body to generate the necessary anti-measures (depending on the type of infection can be a simple Natural Killer or something more sophisticated).

To not take antibiotics without a real reason is never a smart decision. Fortunately in this situation, the only real person to suffer will be yourself (since it will not be a contagious infection), and your wallet (when you pay for additional medical attention).

[skippybangkok]

Cheers and thanks - just wondering if a knee was very different than other parts of the body with regards to anti biotics. I have had injections for other stuff, never had to take anti biotics, so was wondering why a knee injection was so special it needed anti biotics

I get the point that the need can introduce bacteria to the knee, but then again a simple Hep B vaccine can also introduce bacteria too

By the way - the dr went into "full surgical " mode - everything was totally sterile including the nurse putting on his gloves , everything touched was totally sterile ( he is a surgeon too )

Edited June 8, 2016 by skippybangkok

[JayBird]

Awesome they took precautious to make sure everything was clean. Normally I don't see antibiotics being prescribed if having a simple injection. I can't say exactly why he would do this (I wasn't there). Not sure if it is a precaution from the injection, or a precaution because of what was injected, or a precaution because of suspicion of an underlying issue (the reason for the injection?).

Either way, if its a small dosage (I take it 1-2 weeks?) then it should cause no harm. It's taking lots of antibiotics all the time that can cause problems. Just don't make a habit of it and it should be okey

Note: It's possible, just possible, that the size of the needle for the injection was big enough to cause concern of allowing an entry point for bacteria?

Note 2: It does appear that Thailand is gung-ho on giving out antibiotics (you can even get them at Boots without a prescription!) It's bad to take them all the time for everything. It's okey if you take them as directed in moderation.

[Sheryl]

A post with inaccurate information has been removed.

An injection into a joint - be it the knee, elbow, hip or wherever - is significanlty different tan a regular injection into muscle or subcutaneous tissue; the risks and above all the potential consequences of infection are much greater.

However, using proper sterile technique is considered adequate prevention an dprop[hylactic antibiotics are not part of medically recognized protocols for this.

And yes, Thai doctors definitely do tend to greatly over-prescribe antibiotics.

[skippybangkok]

Thanks Sheryl - that then explains the "banality" with regards to everything being as sterile as possible as compared to a shot in the butt I had a few weeks back to reduce inflammation

[Sheryl]

I don't think "banality" is the word you mean. I think you mean special precautions were taken.

[skippybangkok]

I don't think "banality" is the word you mean. I think you mean special precautions were taken.

Ya - my English is not perfect ..... Speaka 5 languages but not perfect.

Yes - they paid very careful attention to being super sterile. Only thing missing was a mask/ gown and sterile surgery room

[snowbak]

Yes take them. You do not want an infection in the knee especially since your knee has been compromised in the past (need for lube) an infection will sit resident in the knee joint and will attack when your immune system is low. the AB will prevent this from happening until your knee wounds (needle holes and holes is what cartilage you have left)

[skippybangkok]

Thx