Knee surgeries such as an arthroscopy and total knee replacement are performed to increase mobility and quality of life in those suffering knee pain and degeneration. According to the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, over 581,000 people have knee replacement surgery every year. Chronic damage to the knee can result from repetitive sports injuries, osteoarthritis or joint damage from rheumatoid arthritis. Problems after knee surgery can be anticipated or avoided, depending on the type of surgery performed.
Prosthesis Infection and Fluid Accumulation
One type of knee surgery is that of a total knee joint replacement where the entire joint is replaced with an artificial, or prosthetic knee that is susceptible to infection. Anyone with an artificial knee must take oral antibiotics prior to any dental work, as bacteria can enter the blood stream during even a routine cleaning and infect the artificial joint. Fever, knee drainage and sudden increased pain are all indicative of an infection. Another problem after knee surgery cited by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons includes the development of a painful fluid collection in the knee after an arthroscopy. This fluid collection may require additional surgeries or drains if it impairs mobility.
Decreased Mobility
Most knee surgeries dramatically impact the type of physical activities a patient can do. Total, partial and arthroscopic knee surgeries usually repair some of the ligaments that support the knee structure. These surgically repaired knees can no longer endure high-impact sports or activities such as aerobics, skiing or running. The University of Maryland Medical Center also notes that stair climbing may provide difficult, as the surgical knee will have a permanent, decreased range of motion capability. Numbness in the knee cap or knees may also be a problem, and can limit mobility and impact knee flexion and recovery.
Blood Clots
Aside from infection, a serious problem after knee surgery is the potential to develop a blood clot. According to the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, blood clots are the most common complication of surgery. In the immediate post-operative period, surgeons will initiate compression stockings and blood thinners to decrease the chance of infection. However, a blood clot may develop if these socks and pills are avoided or forgotten at home. In rare cases, over time a clot in the leg can travel throughout the body to the lungs and cause a life-threatening condition called pulmonary embolus, or a blood clot in the lung. A sudden difficulty breathing, pain with coughing and bloody phlegm must be treated immediately as these signs of indicative of a pulmonary embolus.
