Knee replacement is a major surgical procedure that can take two hours and results in a three- to four-day hospital stay, according to the UCSF Medical Center. After surgery on a joint, such as the knee, which is constantly in use, it is natural to expect there to be some potential complications. While The Hip and Knee Institute claims 96 percent of patients will experience no serious complications, it is important to be aware of the potential complications.
Blood Clots
According to the UCSF Medical Center, blood clots are the most common complication that occurs after a knee surgery. The Hip and Knee Institute notes that as long as the clots remain in the leg, they are not life-threatening, but if they move to the brain, it could be fatal.
Symptoms of this complication of knee replacement include pain behind the knee or in the calf, calf redness, warmth in the joint or leg, and persistent swelling, according to the UCSF Medical Center. Patients may be prescribed warfarin, heparin or enoxaparin to prevent this complication after knee replacement, explains The Hip and Knee Institute.
Infections of the Knee Joint
Infections in the knee joint or surgical wounds are other complications after knee replacement. The Hip and Knee Institute reports that the risk rate for first-time knee replacements is .5 percent, whereas the UCSF Medical Center puts the number at less than 2 percent. The medical center notes that taking antibiotics after the surgery can reduce the risk of infection, and according to The Hip and Knee Institute, surgeries performed in laminar-flow operating rooms have lower rates of infection as a post-surgery complication.
Nerve Damage
Nerve damage is a rare complication after knee replacement, according to The Hip and Knee Institute. The institute notes that the peroneal nerve is the one most commonly affected but also notes that after six to 12 months many patients reporting nerve damage notice sensation improvement.
Poor Replacement Bond
The Hip and Knee Institute notes that a poor bond between the bone and the replacement knee is the biggest potential long-term complication. This is more likely in overweight patients, who may overstress the joint, and patients with osteoporosis or rheumatoid arthritis, as both can lower bone quality and impair the bond.
