Complications Of Total Knee Replacements

Infection after knee replacement surgery is the most feared complication of most patients and surgeons.

Complications of total knee replacements.

According to healthline s analysis of medicare. During primary total knee replacement the knee joint is replaced with an implant or prosthesis made of metal and plastic components. Total knee replacement complications stiffness knee replacement problems stiffness and knee replacement complications swelling are most common complications after a knee replacement surgery. However doing special exercises or physical therapy can help resolve this.

Scar tissue or other complications can sometimes affect motion of the knee. While rare injury to the nerves or blood vessels around the knee can occur during surgery. Pain may be the most common complication following knee replacement. Even with appropriate steps sometimes infections still occur.

Left untreated a blood clot can break free from the vein wall a life threatening condition known as pulmonary embolism. It occurs when scar tissue forms in the knee and limits movement of the new joint. Surgical site bleeding pulmonary embolism or death during the index admission or within 30 days of admission. A small number of patients continue to have pain after a knee replacement.

Blood clots occurring in deep veins or deep vein thrombosis dvt are a potential complication of knee replacement surgery. When caught in time pulmonary embolism is treatable with anti clotting medication. Stiffness or arthrofibrosis is one of the more common complications after knee replacement surgery. Mechanical complications or periprosthetic joint infection wound infection during the index admission or within 90 days of admission.

Although most total knee replacements are very successful over time problems such as implant wear and loosening may require a revision procedure to replace the original components. Infection is a severe complication and it needs immediate medical attention. It s normal for patients to experience some degree of pain up to six months after surgery. Knee replacement surgery can result in physical complications ranging from pain and swelling to implant rejection infection and bone fractures.

Knee replacement infections are generally separated into early and late infections.