When the knee joint is severely damaged by arthritis, surgery is one of the available options. Arthroscopic knee surgery is an orthopedic procedure designed to be minimally invasive while eliminating the patients' pain and improving range of motion and mobility. As stated by MayoClinic.com, the risk of complications after knee arthroscopy surgery is generally low. It is estimated that around 2 percent of people undergoing this procedure suffer from complications
Blood Clots
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons lists blood clots in the leg veins as one of the major complications of knee replacement surgery. This risk of increased susceptibility for blood clots in the leg veins, or deep venous thrombosis is also present in all lower limb joint replacement operations. After knee replacement surgery, the blood clots form in the calf veins. Blood clots formed in veins are called thrombi. Thrombi from the lower limb may break loose, traveling to the lungs via circulation to cause a potentially fatal condition known as pulmonary embolism.
Infection of the Prosthesis
Like any surgery that involves placing a foreign device in the body, knee replacement surgery carries a risk of infection. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons reports infection after the knee replacement procedure as the most dangerous potential side effect. Infection is more likely to occur in patients with certain predisposing underlying conditions such as diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, or patients with severe renal or cardio-respiratory insufficiency. Infection can also occur years after the operation. An infection after arthroscopic knee replacement warrants surgery and removal of the prosthesis. Patients will require intravenous antibiotic administration for at least six weeks to avoid amputation due to the spread of infection to the underlying bone and surrounding tissues.
Failure of the Replaced Knee
According to MayoClinic.com, even the metal replacement knee can give way after years of wear and tear. This risk is greatest if the patient is young, overweight or is very active and involved in heavy weight-bearing exercises. In case of knee implant failure due to wear or loosening, joint revision surgery may be considered in order to replace the implant with a better functioning one. Revision surgeries are considered more cumbersome and liable for complications.
