Knee replacement surgery, also referred to as a total knee arthroplasty, treats severe damage in the knee caused by conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The purpose of the surgery is to relieve pain, restore function and to allow the affected individual to have an inproved quality of life. During the operation, a surgeon removes any damaged bone and cartilage from the knee joint and places synthetic materials into the joint, according to the National Institutes of Health website Medline Plus. As with all surgical procedures, a knee replacement may carry risks along with the benefits of the operation.
Blood Clot
A blood clot can form in the leg after a knee replacement. While in the operating room, the legs are immobile and this may cause the blood to thicken as it moves slower through the lower extremities. A blood clot in the leg, also called a deep vein thrombosis or DVT, causes symptoms such as swelling, pain and redness in the calf. The blood clot can break free and travel to a vital organ such as the heart, lungs or brain. Complications such as heart attack, stroke or death may occur if the blood clot travels to these organs. Treatment for a DVT includes using anticoagulant medications to thin the blood and break up the clot.
Scarring
A knee replacement operation includes opening the skin to perform the procedure. The 6- to 12-inch surgical incision may cause scarring of the skin after healing. Some measures may help decrease the chance of scaring such as avoiding sun exposure and limiting activities that strain the incision as it heals. Sunburns increase the likelihood of scarring as does additional stress on the incision.
Infection
An infection may occur in the knee following surgery. This can happen soon after surgery or may occur later. Bacteria may infect the knee after traveling through the bloodstream years after surgery, according to the Mayo Clinic. Symptoms of an infection include a fever of more than 100F, increased pain in the knee, redness and swelling in the joint as well as drainage from the surgical incisions. Antibiotics help treat a postoperative infection.
Pain
Up to 95 percent of individuals who undergo a knee replacement operation have decreased pain following the surgery, according to the Mayo Clinic. This means that 5 percent of individuals experience chronic pain post-operatively. Immediately following surgery, pain is elevated due to the procedure, with the physician allowing only light activity for several weeks. After complete recovery, high-impact activities such as running and tennis increase the likelihood of experiencing pain in the knee and damaging the prosthetic replacement. Some individuals continue to experience stiffness in the knee in addition to pain.
Loose Prosthetic
Although the knee replacement is a long-term joint, the parts may begin to loosen. The loose joint occurs due to additional wear-and-tear on the knee from normal activity, especially in individuals who are overweight, according to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Another knee replacement surgery may help correct the loosened prosthetic.
