Introduction
A knee replacement procedure replaces the portion of the injured or worn-out knee joints. Knee replacement procedures can reduce pain and enhance the working of the knee joint. In this procedure, the damaged portions of the joint and cartilage are replaced with metal and plastic. To decide whether knee surgery is required, the doctors monitor the range of motion, stability, and strength. Usually, X-ray imaging is used to see the extent of the damage. The exact and proper artificial joint and surgery technique depends on factors like age, weight, activity level, knee shape and size, and overall health.
What Are the Complications Experienced by a Knee Surgery?
About 600,000 people do knee replacement surgery every year in the United States. Severe complications like infection rarely occur in less than two percent of the affected people. Some come conditions are:
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One percentage of the affected people will develop a disease.
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Less than two percent of people develop blood clots.
Knee replacement surgery helps to reduce the pain and enhance mobility but can cause many complications, such as stiffness. Knee stiffness is the most common complication experienced by many people who undergo knee replacement surgery. This stiffness in the knee can make some of the activities very difficult like:
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Bending.
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Going through steps.
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Sitting on a chair.
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Getting out of a car.
Treatment of knee stiffness post-surgery includes physical therapy, pain management, minor surgical corrections, and a second knee replacement is performed in rare cases. Some of the risk factors of a stiff knee after knee replacement surgery are:
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Having knee stiffness before surgery.
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Previous knee surgery.
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Have other health issues such as diabetes, lung disease, and depression.
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Need for proper physical therapy or pain management.
Clicking and Clunking: Metals and plastic replace the portion damaged in the knee, and it is not uncommon to hear clicking and clunking sounds when the knee is under movement. But when the noise is caused without any pain, it is of little concern. Some of the common causes of these sounds are:
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Inflammation is induced in the connective tissue that lines the joints inside.
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Implant design.
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Implant breakage.
It is better to consult the doctor if these sounds are accompanied by pain and swelling.
Wearing of Implants: In most knee replacement cases, almost 90 % last more than 15 years. In rare cases, the implant can wear out; in such situations, revision knee replacement therapy is done. The implant wears off if:
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Knee surgery is done for a younger person who is a very active individual.
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A person is involved in high-impact activities, like running, football, and tennis.
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A person who is overweight can enhance the stress on the implant.
Infection: Infection is the most severe complication caused due to knee replacement surgery. But this complication occurs in less than two percent of the population who have undergone the replacement surgery. Infection caused by this surgery is differentiated into early and late infection.
Early Infection: Early infection is caused within six weeks post-surgery. Early infections are caused by the bacteria that enter the joint at the time of surgery. Management of this infection is done by cleansing the infected knee with the help of antibiotics recommended for several weeks and months.
Late Infection: This infection is caused six weeks post-knee replacement surgery. This infection is caused due to the bacteria present in the bloodstream, which are finding a way to the knee joint. These infections are problematic and difficult to cure and may require the removal of the total knee that is been replaced.
Blood Clot: Blood clots are formed in the more prominent veins of the legs after knee replacement surgery and can result in pain and swelling. When blood clots are included in the lungs, called pulmonary embolism, it can result in life-threatening problems. To reduce the risk of blood clots,
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The person should be recommended with blood thinning medications.
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The person is taught to increase the blood flow in the leg muscles through foot and ankle movements.
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The person is given support or compression boots, which may enhance blood circulation.
Wound and Bleeding Complications: The wound is usually closed by sutures or staples, usually removed in about two weeks. Complications that arise are:
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Slow wound healing and bleeding continue for several days.
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When the person is on blood thinner, which is used to prevent the formation of clots, the doctor should open the wound and drain the fluid in such a situation.
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When fluid builds up in the knee, it results in Baker's cyst, where the surgeon drains the fluid with the help of a needle.
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Skin grafting is done if the skin does not heal properly.
Nerve or Neurovascular Damage: Nerve damage is usually experienced by 10 % of people who have undergone knee replacement surgery. If nerve damage happens, it may lead to
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Numbness.
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Foot drop.
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Weakness.
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Tingling.
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Burning or prickling sensation.
Persistent Pain: It is very typical to experience some pain post-surgery, but it should improve in time. Painkillers can be prescribed until then. In some rare cases, the pain will persist or worsen; in such cases, the person should consult with the doctor to rule out any complications.
Complications Caused Due to Transfusion: In rare cases, the person may require a blood transfusion post-knee surgery. The blood bank should be cautious while screening the blood, as there should not be any issues during a blood transfusion.
What Are the Complications Caused Due to Anesthesia?
The doctor may use local or general anesthesia during surgery. Anesthesia will also have some adverse effects, these include:
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Vomiting.
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Dizziness.
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Shivering.
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Sore throat.
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Pain.
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Discomfort.
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Drowsiness.
Other Effects Include:
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Breathing issues.
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Allergic reactions.
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Nerve injury.
Conclusion
Total knee replacement is a procedure to replace the injured knee joints and cartilage. Most people, post knee surgery, do not face any complications. But it is necessary to know about the risk factors and to identify the signs of complications. This will allow the person to make a proper decision on whether to go with the surgery. For most people, this procedure will relieve pain, enhance mobility, and improves the quality of life.
