Knee swelling after TKR - No infection/dislocation?

Question

My husband had his left knee replaced (he is 54, and was diagnosed with severe arthrits as a consequence of polio). The procedure was done in February of 2006, and after therapy, he got to the point where he could walk without pain. However, for the past 6 - 8 weeks, his knee is swelling up so much that he is having a hard time walking, going up or down stairs and even driving. We've been to his doctor's office 2 times and my husband had full blood work looking for infections and a bone scan. Both tests came back normal - no infection and no dislocation of the new joint but the swelling still comes and goes - it is almost like one day with swelling, one day without. He has tried Ibuprofen, icing the knee, keeping it elevated, gentle massage and nothing is working. He just had a prescription for Celebrex filled out but it doesn't seem to work either.
Now for the question: Would you have any idea of what could be causing this problem? Can't find specific answers anywhere!

Answer 1

I can think of only3 things that may cause this. First rejection of the knee. This prostetic has been in place for a year, and if his body was going to reject something in the knee I think it would have happened far sooner. Second would be infection. Remember the knee is not human tissue, it is a fomite. The bodies immune system will not work on an artifical knee so it may be that the blood can be normal with an infection localized in the knee itself. One unlikely possibillity may be bleeding in the knee because something broke loose or something like that. My money is on an infection that they have not found yet. If all else fails they may have to go in and take a look at the knee, and I will bet they will find vegatations or bacterial growths on the implant.

Answer 2

Sounds like some kind of rejection from the surgery? An old wives tale that works...Potatoe peels on the sweeling flesh to flesh??