What are the risks of knee replacement surgery?
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Fortunately, the overall probability of a good outcome is high and the overall risks
are low. However, there are a few unavoidable consequences.
These are the possible but unlikely complications:
Although uncommon, when these complications occur they can prolong or limit a
patient’s full recovery.
are low. However, there are a few unavoidable consequences.
- The operated knee does not feel natural but rather can feel mechanical and it is
not unusual to feel or hear a “clicking” sound. This usually does not cause pain. - Also the outer half of the knee frequently feels numb since it is essentially
unavoidable to cut a nerve that supplies feeling to the skin in this area. This
also usually does not cause pain nor does it affect rehabilitation.
These are the possible but unlikely complications:
- Blood clots in the leg veins are the most common complication of knee
replacement surgery. Usually support hose, inflatable leg coverings, calf
exercises, and blood thinners are used to help prevent this. - Blood clots in the lung vessels are rare but can be life threatening and similar
preventative measures are prescribed. - Knee stiffness may occasionally occur which is frequently caused by scarring.
This is frequently prevented by daily regular knee exercises from the first day
following surgery. If it does occur sometimes a second procedure called a
manipulation is needed to regain knee motion. - Knee cap pain and problems can occur in about 10% of patients and this can be
due to extra scar tissue forming around the newly resurfaced knee cap.
However, with improved implant design and preventative surgical techniques,
and appropriate tissue balancing this problem can be minimized. - Fracture and nonunion (nonhealing fracture) are uncommon and are largely
prevented with certain techniques and precautions. - Joint infection can be a major complication but this usually occurs in less than
2% of surgeries. - Bleeding does happen and occasionally a blood transfusion is needed.
- A new or continued limp is relatively uncommon.
- Leg-length inequality (i.e. one leg is longer than the other) rarely occurs but
could be more likely if the affected knee is very crooked (very knock-kneed or
bow-legged). - Dislocation is very rare.
- Nerve injury resulting in partial paralysis and nerve pain is possible but fairly
rare. - Blood vessel injury is possible but also very rare.
- Unexplained or continued knee pain is very uncommon.
- Wearing out and loosening of the implant can occur over the years but is likely
to be less common with improved implant materials. - Need for future surgery
- Major medical complications: heart attack, stroke, or death are very rare since
a thorough medical evaluation is completed prior to this planned, elective
surgery. - Anesthesia risks
Although uncommon, when these complications occur they can prolong or limit a
patient’s full recovery.
| Juan C. Frisancho, M.D. Orthopedic Surgery Joint Replacement |
