Complications Of Total Knee Replacements

Even with appropriate steps sometimes infections still occur.

Complications of total knee replacements.

Total knee replacement complications stiffness knee replacement problems stiffness and knee replacement complications swelling are most common complications after a knee replacement surgery. According to healthline s analysis of medicare. Infection after knee replacement surgery is the most feared complication of most patients and surgeons. Stiffness or arthrofibrosis is one of the more common complications after knee replacement surgery.

Knee replacement surgery can result in physical complications ranging from pain and swelling to implant rejection infection and bone fractures. Infections are rare after knee replacement surgery but they can occur. Pain may be the most common complication following knee replacement. Left untreated a blood clot can break free from the vein wall a life threatening condition known as pulmonary embolism.

It s normal for patients to experience some degree of pain up to six months after surgery. A small number of patients continue to have pain after a knee replacement. When caught in time pulmonary embolism is treatable with anti clotting medication. The primary focus must be to take all precautions possible to try to avoid infection.

It occurs when scar tissue forms in the knee and limits movement of the new joint. This complication is rare however and most patients experience excellent pain relief following knee replacement. Knee replacement infections are generally separated into early and late infections. 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.

While rare injury to the nerves or blood vessels around the knee can occur during surgery. Surgical site bleeding pulmonary embolism or death during the index admission or within 30 days of admission. Scar tissue or other complications can sometimes affect motion of the knee. Infection is a severe complication and it needs immediate medical attention.

During primary total knee replacement the knee joint is replaced with an implant or prosthesis made of metal and plastic components.