Conservative treatments for arthritic or damaged knee may not be enough to return a patient to normal levels of physical activity. Therefore, a doctor may recommend a total knee arthroplasty, or a knee replacement. The Mayo Clinic states that this procedure involves the surgeon removing the ends of the thigh bone and shin bone from the knee and replacing it with metal alloys, high-grade plastics and polymers. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 90 percent of patients improve after a knee replacement; however, 2 percent experience significant complications. Therefore, anyone considering a knee replacement should be aware of the possible complications.
Long-Term Pain
Long-term pain is the most common complication after a knee replacement, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. This occurs because small nerves are damaged during the surgery and may never be repaired. However, in most cases, these nerves heal and do not cause long-term pain once the knee is properly rehabilitated. A patient experiencing pain should not hesitate to let his doctor know. It may be a sign of another complication. In addition, a doctor may prescribe medications to help alleviate long-term pain.
Infection
The AAOS states that infection is a possible complication of knee replacement surgery. This occurs because bacteria on the patient's skin, on the surgeons or on the artificial knee components may infect the knee joint. Although a surgeon sterilizes the skin and surgical equipment, infection is always a possibility. A patient should immediately tell his nurse or surgeon if he experiences pain, redness, warmth, swelling or drainage from the wound site. In this case, the surgeon may have to open the wound, clean out the infection from the knee capsule and replace the artificial knee.
Loosening of the Replacement
According to the AAOS, a knee replacement may become loose over time. This occurs more commonly in the younger population because they are more active and tend to outlive their knee replacements, unlike the older population. A patient who suspects loosening may notice a new onset of pain or swelling, or may be able to feel the knee shift when walking or performing other physical activities. The surgeon should be contacted immediately if lloosening of the knee replacement is suspected.
