Total knee arthroplasty (TKA), or a knee replacement, is a surgical treatment option for persons whose knees that have been severely damaged by arthritis or traumatic injury. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), 90 percent of those with knee replacements experience a significant improvement in function and symptoms after a knee replacement. In addition, complications following this procedure only occur in two percent of patients. Although this surgery is safe and effective, a patient considering a knee replacement should be aware of the most common risks.
Knee Infection
Infection is the greatest risk associated with any surgery, including knee replacements, states the AAOS. A skin infection can spread into the joint that has just been replaced. In this event, the surgeon must open the wound, clean out the infection and replace the synthetic knee. Patients should always look for signs of early infection, which include swelling, pain, redness, tenderness and drainage from the incision site. In worse cases, delayed treatment can result in the spread of infection to the rest of the body, which may result in death. Therefore, early treatment is necessary to prevent the infection from spreading to other parts of the body.
Blood Clots
The New York Times reports that blood clots are a serious risk associated with knee replacement surgery. Blood clots, or deep vein thromboses (DVTs), form because damage to blood vessels during surgery causes blood to clot more than usual. A patient should be concerned if he notices pain, redness and swelling anywhere in the leg. Clots usually form in the veins of the lower leg; however, a clot can occur in veins above the knee as well. Blood clots should not be taken lightly because they can travel to the lungs and cause a severe difficulty in breathing, which may lead to death.
Internal Scarring
According to the AAOS, internal scarring of the knee joint may occur after knee replacement surgery. This occurs because surgical damage to the knee capsule, the fibrous tissue that lines the knee joint, can contract and limit the range of motion of a patient. Long-term effects of post-surgical scarring of the knee joint can be reduced with early rehabilitation. Therefore, a patient with a new knee replacement should follow his physical therapist's plan to improve range of motion of the knee.
Injury to Nerves
Injury to nerves around the knee may occurs, states the AAOS. The risk of serious nerve damage is slight, because major nerves that send signals to the lower leg run behind the knee. The surgeon makes the incision from the front of the knee and performs the rest of the procedure from the front of the knee. However, the surgeon may accidentally damage the large nerves in the back of the leg that can cause loss of sensation or motor function in the leg below the knee. Additionally, patients may not less serious nerve damage that includes a loss of sensation in areas around the knee. Sensation may improve after these nerves heal. A patient who suspects nerve damage should always let his surgeon know.
