According to the University of Connecticut Health Center, infection occurs in only 2 percent of patients who undergo total knee replacement surgery. Antibiotics treat infection after surgery and patients must monitor the incision site for signs of infection.

The Facts

Any incision into the skin brings the risk of infection. Antibiotics kill the bacteria that cause infection by inhibiting their growth and destroying the cell structure of the bacteria, according to the Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics.

Function

Antibiotics are given orally in the event of an infection after knee replacement and intravenously when the infection has become severe. Patients monitor the incision site when discharged from the hospital for signs of infection so that treatment can begin as soon as possible.

Prevention

Doctors use antibiotics before, during and after knee surgery to prevent infection. According to the University of Connecticut Health Center, patients must take antibiotics before dental work or other surgeries for two years after a knee replacement surgery to prevent infection of the knee replacement.

Identification

The symptoms of infection following a knee replacement include drainage from the wound, pain in the knee area that is present during rest and activity, fever, chills and redness of the surgical site. Patients report their symptoms to the doctor to begin treatment for infection of the surgical site.

Warning

Patients may take antibiotics before knee surgery to eliminate bacteria in the body before the procedure. Infection that is not treated can enter the bloodstream and cause an infection in other areas of the body.

Source:

University of Connecticut Health Center: Knee Replacement Surgery

Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics: How Antibiotics Work