Editor's Rating
Knee replacement surgeries have one of the highest rates of post surgery infections among all surgical procedures, especially if a Bair Hugger Warming Blanket device was used during the procedure.
Are you looking for a lawyer who is familiar with knee replacement surgery infection lawsuits? If you or a family member suffered a severe infection after an arthroplastic surgery, unfortunately you are one of thousands of people who are dealing with this very issue. Knee replacement surgery is also commonly called TKA (total knee arthroplasty). Surgical site infections after a knee replacement surgery are by no means uncommon and many people have to go through multiple surgeries to treat the infection. TKA infections are extremely serious, very painful and incredibly difficult ordeals to have to go through. Those people who are caring for the patient also go through a devastating time as well. Additional surgeries, hospitalization, an extended amount of time being on antibiotics and intense rehab, not to mention to financial burden it can put on a family can cause extreme hardship.
How to Find the Right Knee Infection Lawyer
Choosing a hospital malpractice lawyer is often a difficult decision but an incredibly important one. You need a knee replacement attorney who is familiar with this particular matter. Most attorneys do not have the level of experience needed to handle your knee arthroplasty lawsuit. No matter what part of the country you are in, we can help match you up with the very surgical infection lawyers in the country.
Knee Replacement Lawsuit Lawyer Questionnaire
Knee Surgery Infection Rates & Statistics
Each year in the U.S. there are over 600,000 total knee arthroplasty procedures performed. TKA infection rates continue to be between 0.4% and 2% after primary arthroplasty and between 3.2% and 5.6% after revision arthroplasty. While those percentages seem small, this means that thousands of people each year suffer infections from knee replacement procedures. These infections can lead to serious complications including multiple revision surgeries, loss of limbs (amputations of the leg) and even death. Recent research has predicted by the year 2030, there will be an increase in these hip replacement surgeries of 673%. Using an estimate of 2% of procedures that lead to an infection, this means that the number of annual hip surgery infections could be over 80,000 per year!
Financial Implications of Knee Surgery Infections
There is also a significant impact financially when treating knee replacement surgery infections. The average cost of treating TKA infections has been estimated at $50,000 per patient and $250 million dollars per year nationwide! When a hospital or doctor is negligent, you should not have to bear the cost when it is not your fault. A knee surgery infection lawyer can help to not only make sure you don’t have to pay these costs but also be paid compensation for the pain and suffering involved.
Bair Hugger Warming Blanket Infections and Knee Replacement Surgery Infections
One of the more common ways people are acquiring infections during a knee replacement surgery is from the use of the Bair Hugger warming blankets. The warming blankets devices, which are created to prevent hypothermia during surgery, can blow air on to the surgical room floor, causing contaminated air to become airborne. In the event of those undergoing a knee replacement surgery or hip replacement surgery, the airborne germs can enter the incision at the knee and can cause a severe infection. It only takes a single germ to cause an infection. Below is an image explaining the issue with these devices.
Arthroplastic surgeries (those surgeries involving the hip and knee) can often lead to serious infections so while it is the hospitals and surgeons responsibility to do everything they can to prevent SSI, that doesn’t always happen.
Hospitals Where Your Knee Replacement Infection Took Place
It doesn’t matter which hospital you had your knee replacement surgery at, you still have a potential claim no mater where city and state you had your surgery performed. Below are some of the largest hospitals where you may have had knee arthroplasty performed.
1. New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center (New York City) |
2. Florida Hospital Orlando |
3. Jackson Memorial Hospital (Miami) |
4. Methodist Hospital (San Antonio) |
5. UPMC Presbyterian (Pittsburgh) |
6. Yale-New Haven (Conn.) Hospital |
7. Orlando (Fla.) Regional Medical Center |
8. Montefiore Hospital-Moses Campus (Bronx, N.Y.) |
9. Baptist Medical Center (San Antonio) |
10. Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital (Indianapolis) |
11. Methodist University Hospital (Memphis, Tenn.) |
12. Barnes-Jewish Hospital (St. Louis) |
13. Norton Hospital (Louisville, Ky.) |
14. The Cleveland Clinic |
15. The Mount Sinai Medical Center (New York City) |
16. Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital (Houston) |
17. Buffalo (N.Y.) General Hospital |
18. UAB Hospital (Birmingham, Ala.) |
19. North Shore University Hospital (Manhasset, N.Y.) |
20. Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak (Mich.) |
21. Christiana Hospital (Newark, Del.) |
22. Memorial Regional Hospital (Hollywood, Fla.) |
23. Mount Sinai Beth Israel Medical Center (New York City) |
24. Saint Joseph’s Hospital (Tampa, Fla.) |
25. Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston) |
26. Butterworth Hospital (Grand Rapids, Mich.) |
27. Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (Columbus) |
27. The Johns Hopkins Hospital (Baltimore) |
28. Vanderbilt University Hospital (Nashville, Tenn.) |
29. Tampa (Fla.) General Hospital |
30. Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (Philadelphia) |
31. Carolinas Medical Center (Charlotte, N.C.) |
32. University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers (Ann Arbor) |
33. Mercy Hospital St. Louis |
34. Long Island Jewish Medical Center (New Hyde Park, N.Y.) |
35. The Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital (Greensboro, N.C.) |
36. Aurora Saint Luke’s Medical Center (Milwaukee) |
37. Bellevue Hospital Center (New York City) |
38. Mount Sinai St. Luke’s (New York City) |
39. Houston Methodist Hospital |
40. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (Los Angeles) |
40. Jewish Hospital (Louisville, Ky.) |
41. Northwestern Memorial Hospital (Chicago) |
42. Charlton Memorial Hospital (Fall River, Mass.) |
43. Mayo Clinic Hospital-Saint Mary’s (Rochester, Minn.) |
44. Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center (Houston) |
44. UF Health Shands at the University of Florida (Gainesville) |
45. Sharp Memorial Hospital (San Diego) |
46. Huntsville (Ala.) Hospital |
46. Inova Fairfax Hospital (Falls Church, Va.) |
47. Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas |
48. Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest (Allentown, Pa.) |
49. Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville (Fla.) |
49. Hartford (Conn.) Hospital |
50. Vidant Medical Center (Greenville, N.C.) |
51. Loma Linda (Calif.) University Medical Center |
52. Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center (Winston-Salem, N.C.) |
53. Lakeland (Fla.) Regional Medical Center |
54. Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center (Winston-Salem, N.C.) |
55. Lee Memorial Hospital (Fort Meyers, Fla.) |
56. Charleston (W.Va.) Area Medical Center General Hospital |
57. Miami Valley Hospital (Dayton, Ohio) |
57. Parkland Hospital (Dallas) |
58. Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis (Tenn.) |
59. Duke University Hospital (Durham, N.C.) |
60. Edinburg (Texas) Regional Medical Center |
61. Greenville (S.C.) Memorial Hospital |
62. Mercy Hospital Springfield (Mo.) |
63. Saint Francis Hospital (Tulsa, Okla.) |
64. Presbyterian Hospital (Albuquerque, N.M.) |
65. University of North Carolina Hospitals (Chapel Hill) |
66. Community Regional Medical Center (Fresno, Calif.) |
67. CJW Medical Center-Chippenham Campus (Richmond, Va.) |
68. North Shore Medical Center (Miami) |
68. Strong Memorial Hospital (Rochester, N.Y.) |
69. Saint Vincent Indianapolis Hospital |
70. CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi (Texas)-Memorial |
71. Brigham and Women’s Hospital (Boston) |
72. Henry Ford Hospital (Detroit) |
73. Medstar Washington (D.C.) Hospital Center |
74. Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) |
75. Riverside Methodist Hospital (Columbus, Ohio) |
76. Sutter Memorial Hospital (Sacramento, Calif.) |
77. Saint John’s Medical Center (Jackson, Wyoming) |
78. Ochsner Medical Center-New Orleans |
78. Via Christi Hospital on Saint Francis (Witchita, Ka.) |
79. Ben Taub General Hospital (Houston) |
80. Willis-Knighton Medical Center (Shreveport, La.) |
81. Carilion Roanoke (Va.) Memorial Hospital |
81. Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center (Baton Rouge, La.) |
82. Saint John Hospital and Medical Center (Detroit) |
83. Henrico Doctor’s Hospital (Richmond, Va.) |
83. VCU Medical Center (Richmond, Va.) |
84. Mission Hospitals-Memorial Campus (Asheville, N.C.) |
85. New Hanover Regional Medical Center (Wilmington, N.C.)0 |
86. Medical University of South Carolina-University Hospital (Charleston) |
87. University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Hospital (Lexington) |
88. NCH Downtown Naples (Fla.) Hospital |
89. Upstate University Hospital (Syracuse, N.Y.) |
90. Maimonides Medical Center (Brooklyn, N.Y.) |
90. University Hospital of Brooklyn (N.Y.) |
91. Mount Carmel West (Columbus, Ohio) |
91. Temple University Hospital (Philadelphia, Pa.) |
92. ProMedica Toledo (Ohio) Hospital |
93. Rhode Island Hospital (Providence) |
94. Cox North (Springfield, Mo.) |
95. Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock (Ark.) |
96. CHI Saint Luke’s Health-Baylor Saint Luke’s Medical Center (Houston) |
96. The Reading Hospital and Medical Center (West Reading, Pa.) |
96. University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics (Iowa City) |
97. Hackensack (N.J.) University Medical Center |
97. Saint Anthony’s Medical Center (St. Louis) – |
98. Oklahoma University Medical Center (Oklahoma City) |
99. Mobile (Ala.) Infirmary Medical Center |
100. University of Maryland Medical Center (Baltimore) |
Infections that occur can be devastating for the patient and those caring for the patient. Fighting the infection requires a lot, and can include one or more of the following:
- A second operation to remove the knee implant hardware and insert a spacer device loaded with antibiotics
- Prolonged systematic antibiotic therapy (and all the side effects of the antibiotics)
- A high level of pain
- Impaired mobility
- Reliance on a wheelchair, walker or both
- A third operation four to six weeks after completion of antibiotics for re-implantation of the joint, followed by more physical therapy treatment
- High amount of medical bills
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Missed time from work
- Lost wages
- A heavy reliance on family members and caregivers
Knee Replacement Surgery Infection Lawyer
A knee replacement lawyer can help you recover financial recovery for you and your family so it is important to speak to an experienced lawyer from i-lawsuit.com today.
I had my left knee replaced in May 2012, and which later became infected. This required removal of the implant and I was hospitalization for almost 2 months. Part of my knee pad was destroyed and I have constant pain my knee. Is this grounds for a lawsuit?
They hospital may be responsible here. It would be best to speak to a lawyer who is familiar with these cases, I’ll email you contact information for someone who handles these cases and does not charge for a consultation. If they take your case on, you don’t have to pay anything unless your case is won. From what you’re describing, this sounds like you have a good case against the hospital but of course it depends on the details of your situation.
I’ve had multiple knee replacements, the first one in 2011 on my right knee. After a couple of years it started to become loose so I underwent another replacement surgery a few months ago (April 2015). The pain has been constant ever since the surgery. My knee is hot to the touch and swollen. My doctor ordered a bone scan which indicated that there was an infection in my knee. I am now about to have another operation on the knee. I just want to get back to normal, what can I do here?
Sounds like you have a potential claim here. If you would like, email us at info@ i-lawsuit.com, let us know what city and state you are in and where the surgery took place and we will provide you with the contact info for one of the best attorneys we know who is handling these cases.
My wife had TKR in March f 2014,Sept of 2015 she developed a infection and has been told she needs to do the 2 stage revision surgery. I guess it could have been caused by one of many things,
She was never given instructions on taking antibiotics before any procedures including dental not even from her dentists who knew she had a TKR. We also do not know if her artificial knee was on the Zimmer recall,if the Bair Hugger warmer was used etc.
Please advise your thoughts.
Hi Pam,
Typically the attorneys taking on these TKR cases will only take the case if there is one or more surgeries involving debridement, prosthesis removal or amputation within one year of the initial surgery. So the initial surgery that your wife had was in March 2014 and the infection developed in September 2015?
I had a Partial Knee Replacement in July 2015 on my right knee. My incision opened and tore in August 2015. I was given oral antibiotics and hospitalized.
I was hospitalized again due to swelling, pain and fluid on my knee. They found 2 blood clots and I am on blood thinning medication now. My knee was drained of fluid and washed out. I had a PICC line put in for daily antibiotics at home. I have intense pain, burning and swelling/fluid around my knee, inner thigh and behind my knee. I am set for a revision surgery to remove the partial knee replacement parts.
I’d like to know what my chances are at successfully taking the hospital and surgeon who operated on my right knee to court. My first knee replacement did not take and it took me 18 months to get through to them that something was wrong. The plate and pin went into the tibia never bonded. The knee revision that followed went well I guess but shortly there after I had caught a Strep Group G infection. Luckily the knee revision did not have to be pulled. However at one point I slipped and fell and landed on my right knee and did not realize that I broken the knee cap. It healed off to the side of the knee and in January 2015 the surgeon had to go back in and perfrom a lateral release and cut other muscle to pull and hold the Knee cap in the correct place. I did get better and back to work with restrictions but after a few months I knew something was wrong. The next morning I could not put any weight onto the leg even when trying to use my canes. When I got to the hospital and tested, my leg was infected with MSRA, the knee revision had to be removed, a cement insert was installed and loaded up with Vancomysin. The amount was very large and that amount could not be put through my veins without causing serious problems. I then spent 3 months in a wheel chair. Not fun. The doctors send me back in for another surgery. There they performed the 3rd knee revision.
I had a tkr March 2015′ in April a mssa infection was discoverd. The Dr. did a stage1 revision, I was never informed by him a 2 stage revision existed. Went through 6 week iv therapy, and debridment. He told me that was all he could do. I found a Dr. Who does revision and he did a 2 stage revision. With antibiotic spacer . January 28′ 2016 I will have a new knee put in. I have had 4 surgeries in 10 months, that would be the 5. I was tested for mssa negative before the first surgery. While in the pre op room above my head was a red containment box, blood was smeared on the outside, my wife and nurse were shocke nurse said they would clean it right away.
I feel the Dr. Should have told me about the option of a 2 stage revision which he does not do. Could I have a case against the hospital or first Dr.?
I have to have a revision surgery on my knee because I am allergic to the metal which with the first knee was not determined I had this surgery august 2994
I had my knees replaced in 2008 and 2009. my left knee became infected before i was even released from the hospital. on the day of my release told the staff that my incision was coming open and was draining horribly. They sent me home any way the home nurse showed up the following day and i showed her the knee. it was hot to the touch and swelling. she called the DR’s office to get an appt. I was told they would call me back. the next time she came back it was worse, she called again and they gave me an app. for a week away, two days before i was scheduled for my appt i said on the toilet and my incision burst open. My husband and I had to hold a trash can in front of my knee for approximately 5 minutes as infection was shooting out like a water spout. suprisingly the pressure was relieved, but by the next morning it was draining like cottage cheese . when i got to the dr’s appt he took one look at my knee and wouldn’t touch my leg told me to cover it back up. he scheduled me for emergency surgery for the next day. they had to remove my knee clean out the infection and replace the knee. two days later the DR came into my room at the hospital to tell my husband and my self that i had to leave the hospital immediately that they had set up an appointment for me at the infection controll center and i was to leave the hospital and go straight there. they told me it was MRSA. upon arriving at the center the DR met with us looked at my records and turned to my husband and myself and told us that there wasn’t much hope for my case. that I had it so severe it would be almost impossible to cure. He asked us what we wanted to do. We both said to treat it. I was scheduled to have a stent placed in my arm that went directly to my heart. I went home for the antibiotic vancomycin to be delivered the next day for the next few months my house had to be quarantined and i had to receive the antibiotic by IV three times a day. My grand children would sit outside of my house and look in the window just to see me saying ” Nana I know you are in there why can’t we come in.” I suffered
Chills and fever.
low blood pressure.
nausea and vomiting.
I had my knees replaced in 2008 and 2009. my left knee became infected before i was even released from the hospital. on the day of my release told the staff that my incision was coming open and was draining horribly. They sent me home any way the home nurse showed up the following day and i showed her the knee. it was hot to the touch and swelling. she called the DR’s office to get an appt. I was told they would call me back. the next time she came back it was worse, she called again and they gave me an app. for a week away, two days before i was scheduled for my appt i said on the toilet and my incision burst open. My husband and I had to hold a trash can in front of my knee for approximately 5 minutes as infection was shooting out like a water spout. suprisingly the pressure was relieved, but by the next morning it was draining like cottage cheese . when i got to the dr’s appt he took one look at my knee and wouldn’t touch my leg told me to cover it back up. he scheduled me for emergency surgery for the next day. they had to remove my knee clean out the infection and replace the knee. two days later the DR came into my room at the hospital to tell my husband and my self that i had to leave the hospital immediately that they had set up an appointment for me at the infection controll center and i was to leave the hospital and go straight there. they told me it was MRSA. upon arriving at the center the DR met with us looked at my records and turned to my husband and myself and told us that there wasn’t much hope for my case. that I had it so severe it would be almost impossible to cure. He asked us what we wanted to do. We both said to treat it. I was scheduled to have a stent placed in my arm that went directly to my heart. I went home for the antibiotic vancomycin to be delivered the next day for the next few months my house had to be quarantined and i had to receive the antibiotic by IV three times a day. My grand children would sit outside of my house and look in the window just to see me saying ” Nana I know you are in there why can’t we come in.” I suffered
Chills and fever.
low blood pressure.
nausea and vomiting.
rash on my face, base of the neck, upper body, back, and my arms. I had my knees replaced in 2008 and 2009. my left knee became infected before i was even released from the hospital. on the day of my release told the staff that my incision was coming open and was draining horribly. They sent me home any way the home nurse showed up the following day and i showed her the knee. it was hot to the touch and swelling. she called the DR’s office to get an appt. I was told they would call me back. the next time she came back it was worse, she called again and they gave me an app. for a week away, two days before i was scheduled for my appt i said on the toilet and my incision burst open. My husband and I had to hold a trash can in front of my knee for approximately 5 minutes as infection was shooting out like a water spout. suprisingly the pressure was relieved, but by the next morning it was draining like cottage cheese . when i got to the dr’s appt he took one look at my knee and wouldn’t touch my leg told me to cover it back up. he scheduled me for emergency surgery for the next day. they had to remove my knee clean out the infection and replace the knee. two days later the DR came into my room at the hospital to tell my husband and my self that i had to leave the hospital immediately that they had set up an appointment for me at the infection controll center and i was to leave the hospital and go straight there. they told me it was MRSA. upon arriving at the center the DR met with us looked at my records and turned to my husband and myself and told us that there wasn’t much hope for my case. that I had it so severe it would be almost impossible to cure. He asked us what we wanted to do. We both said to treat it. I was scheduled to have a stent placed in my arm that went directly to my heart. I went home for the antibiotic vancomycin to be delivered the next day for the next few months my house had to be quarantined and i had to receive the antibiotic by IV three times a day. My grand children would sit outside of my house and look in the window just to see me saying ” Nana I know you are in there why can’t we come in.” I suffered
Chills and fever.
low blood pressure.
nausea and vomiting.
rash on my face, base of the neck, upper body, back, and my arms. I had my knees replaced in 2008 and 2009. my left knee became infected before i was even released from the hospital. on the day of my release told the staff that my incision was coming open and was draining horribly. They sent me home any way the home nurse showed up the following day and i showed her the knee. it was hot to the touch and swelling. she called the DR’s office to get an appt. I was told they would call me back. the next time she came back it was worse, she called again and they gave me an app. for a week away, two days before i was scheduled for my appt i said on the toilet and my incision burst open. My husband and I had to hold a trash can in front of my knee for approximately 5 minutes as infection was shooting out like a water spout. suprisingly the pressure was relieved, but by the next morning it was draining like cottage cheese . when i got to the dr’s appt he took one look at my knee and wouldn’t touch my leg told me to cover it back up. he scheduled me for emergency surgery for the next day. they had to remove my knee clean out the infection and replace the knee. two days later the DR came into my room at the hospital to tell my husband and my self that i had to leave the hospital immediately that they had set up an appointment for me at the infection controll center and i was to leave the hospital and go straight there. they told me it was MRSA. upon arriving at the center the DR met with us looked at my records and turned to my husband and myself and told us that there wasn’t much hope for my case. that I had it so severe it would be almost impossible to cure. He asked us what we wanted to do. M husband began to cry and this man never cries, and looked at me and said “We are going to beat this thing” We both said to treat it. I was scheduled to have a stent placed in my arm that went directly to my heart. I went home for the antibiotic vancomycin to be delivered the next day for the next few months my house had to be quarantined and i had to receive the antibiotic by IV three times a day. i wasn’t able to leave the home much less work my husband and son took care of me giving me my IV med’s and helping me, to get around the best that I could My grand children would sit outside of my house and look in the window just to see me saying ” Nana I know you are in there why can’t we come in.” I suffered
Chills and fever.
low blood pressure.
nausea and vomiting.
rash on my face, base of the neck, upper body, back, and my arms, from the antibiotic. My incision was taking longer to heal so my physical Therapy was delay, my knee froze and i was taken back into surgery to do what the called “crank my knee” it was unsuccessful, my knee to this day will not bend to its fullest range, which has caused several falls leading to a broken wrist, neck surgery, and back problems from the falls. I have trouble with stairs and have to use a walker when out side of the home for danger of tripping. This has caused such mental anguish that I am now on depression medication. I have called several ads that have come on TV only to be told that they could only go back 5 years. So they are saying if you went through the same HELL as others longer than 5 years ago you don’t count. Well in my book we are the ones that should count that tells us that they knew this problem existed long before they acknowledged it and let others go through the same thing unnecessarily. The treatment for MRSA isn’t as severe as it was in 2008 with all the research done since then others don’t have to go through as severe treatment as we went through. So why are they entitled to a case but not the ones used as the guinea pigs. I now this is longer than you expected but i needed for someone to hear the whole story.
I had a knee replacement in Sept of 2013. After a few months when it should have started feeling better it was getting worse. Painful, swelling etc. I kept contacting my Dr who could not give me any answers. I think he though I was just a whiner but it was truly a painful experience. In early of 2015 he finally referred me to another Dr at the hospital for another opinion. In the meantime I was doing some research and ask him about the possibilty of a bone infection. He ran some routine blood tests and said I did not have one. I asked specifically for a bone infection test and he said it would have shown up in the blood test. About 2 months ago my wife ran into my 1st Dr and he asked how I was doing which was no better. He said he recently had a patient who had the same symptoms and ended up having a bone infection. He asked me to come in and he did a test and sure enough I have a bone infection. I have been unpin and hobbling around for the last 2 years and 8 months I am scheduled for surgery tomorrow and another one in July. Do I have any grounds for a lawsuit?
I had a tkr on May 16, 2016, and at the present so far they did a total knee extraction and I am on bedrest and total non weight bearing, and scheduled for another surgery or tkr. These complications are due to infection. Do I have a possible lawsuit or to compensate for loss work and wages.
I had a TKR 2/16/2016. By 7/21/2016, the infection was all over my body and I had to have a revision surgery. After three months of heavy duty intravenous antibiotic treatments, I had my second knee implanted (10/7/2016). Most of my 2016 has been spent in horrible pan, wheelchair bound, depending on my family for care and spending lots of money for meds, care, etc. The infection found was attributed to a bacteria that lives in the mouth, although I doubt it was only because of my mouth, as I was never good since the first day the implant went in. My name of my hospital shows up on the list of institutions where the warmer blanket has been used and patients have had infections. Can you guide me as to where to go and what to do about this situation. I am still in pain and have an inflamed knee.
I had a partial knee replacement at St. Anne’s Hospital in Fall River. I complained about knee to my doctors. Finally in 2018 my PP doctor sent me to a different doctor in RI. Turns out I had a MRSA infection. Had surgery to take knee out and a cement spacer with antibiotics in. Had to have my husband give me Vacomycin through pic twice a day for 6 weeks plus doxcycline which made my breathing act up and ended up in hospital for 3 days. I was under an infectous disease doctor. More physical therapy everyday. Still problems walking. I have appointment with knee doctor tomorrow to set date for full knee replacement. Do I have a case?