Complications Of Total Knee Replacements

Knee replacement infections are generally separated into early and late infections.

Complications of total knee replacements.

Knee replacement surgery can result in physical complications ranging from pain and swelling to implant rejection infection and bone fractures. The primary focus must be to take all precautions possible to try to avoid infection. According to healthline s analysis of medicare. It s normal for patients to experience some degree of pain up to six months after surgery.

During primary total knee replacement the knee joint is replaced with an implant or prosthesis made of metal and plastic components. Blood clots occurring in deep veins or deep vein thrombosis dvt are a potential complication of knee replacement surgery. It occurs when scar tissue forms in the knee and limits movement of the new joint. When caught in time pulmonary embolism is treatable with anti clotting medication.

Infections are rare after knee replacement surgery but they can occur. However doing special exercises or physical therapy can help resolve this. Infection is a severe complication and it needs immediate medical attention. Pain may be the most common complication following knee replacement.

Surgical site bleeding pulmonary embolism or death during the index admission or within 30 days of admission. Even with appropriate steps sometimes infections still occur. Total knee replacement complications stiffness knee replacement problems stiffness and knee replacement complications swelling are most common complications after a knee replacement surgery. Although most total knee replacements are very successful over time problems such as implant wear and loosening may require a revision procedure to replace the original components.

A small number of patients continue to have pain after a knee replacement. This complication is rare however and most patients experience excellent pain relief following knee replacement. Mechanical complications or periprosthetic joint infection wound infection during the index admission or within 90 days of admission. Left untreated a blood clot can break free from the vein wall a life threatening condition known as pulmonary embolism.

Scar tissue or other complications can sometimes affect motion of the knee.