A knee replacement, or total knee arthroplasty, is a surgical treatment for severely damaged knee joints. According to the Mayo Clinic, artificial knee replacement involves the surgeon removing damaged bone and cartilage from the knee and replacing it with metal alloys, high-grade plastics and polymers. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), 581,000 knee replacements are performed each year and complications occur in less than 2 percent of patients. However, you should be aware of the possible complications associated with this procedure.
Pain
Pain is the most common complication of knee replacement surgery. Soon after surgery, you will experience pain; however, you doctor will do his best to control your pain with medications. Normally your pain will subside in a week or two. In rare cases, according to the AAOS, nerves can be damaged during surgery that can cause pain to linger long after the surgery. Do not hesitate to alert your doctor if your pain is not well controlled.
Infection
Infection is a common complication of this procedure, according to the AAOS. Although your surgeon will sterilize the surgical site, infection in always possible when a foreign object is introduced to the body. Signs of infection include excessive pain, swelling, redness, warmth and drainage from the wound site. Do not hesitate to alert your doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms. An infection in your knee can spread to the rest of your body if treatment is delayed.
Blood Clots
According to the AAOS, a blood clot in a blood vessel in your leg is a common surgical complication. This occurs because damage to blood vessels during surgery can cause blood to clot in your legs. Signs of a blood clot include excessive leg pain, swelling and redness in your leg. Untreated blood clots can travel to the lungs and cause difficulty breathing or, in worse cases, death. Be sure to follow your surgeon's advice to wear a compression stocking, elevate your lower legs and perform leg exercises as tolerated. Alert your doctor immediately if you suspect that you have a blood clot.
Loosening of the Replacement
Loosening of the replacement can occur over time, according to the AAOS. While it is beneficial to maintain healthy levels of physical activity, excessive activity can result in early loosening of the knee replacement. Consult your surgeon if you are experiencing pain or instability years after your initial knee replacement surgery.
