Complications after knee replacement are possible, just like with any surgical procedure. Before allowing any surgery, surgeons will advise their patients about these potential side effects (as well as the likelihood of them occurring) and blood clots in the legs’ veins.
The most frequent side effect of knee replacement surgery is blood clots, or thrombosis. Sometimes the clots come loose and pass from the veins to the heart and lungs (pulmonary embolism). To aid in preventing blood clots from forming following surgery, the patient will be prescribed blood thinners. Leg exercises and compressive calf cuffs are used as anticoagulant measures.
Restricted flexion and adhesions
Adhesions, or scar tissue, are a risk associated with any incision and can restrict the amount of flexion possible after surgery. Surgeons may call this condition arthrofibrosis when adhesions are very strong. To break down the scar tissue in this case, manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) will be necessary a few weeks or months after surgery.
Misalignment or inadequate implant size selection
Although it is not a frequent complication, misalignment can happen when cuts are made at the wrong angle. An excessively large femoral component or inserts (spacers) that are either too thick or too thin can be examples of the wrong implants chosen. Range of motion issues or post-operative pain may result from either.
A surgeon should have a lower error rate the more of these replacements he performs because practice makes perfect. Thus, patients can reduce this risk by ensuring that the surgeon they select has a significant amount of experience performing knee replacements
Virus Infection
Although they are uncommon after joint replacement surgery, infections can be superficial, late-onset, or primary.
Sterile instruments and a filtered operating room are used for knee replacement surgery. To reduce the risk of infection, the patient receives antibiotics before, during, and following the procedure.
Even with these safety measures, infections can still happen. Patients with diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis, those on long-term cortisone therapy, those with a history of joint infection, and those who experienced an infection during surgery in another area of their body are more likely to become infected.
Loosening of implants
The most worrisome possible long-term issue is implant loosening from the bone. The most frequent cause of loosening is that the implant simply comes loose from the bone. Other possible causes include infections, poor surgical technique, obesity, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, weak bones, and needless force from accidents.
Once more, perfection comes from practice. A surgeon should become more proficient in his technique the more knee replacements he performs. Therefore, by ensuring that the surgeon they select has extensive experience performing knee replacements, patients can reduce the chance of a loose implant.
Reactions such as allergies
An allergic reaction to the metal used in a knee replacement is extremely uncommon. Before surgery, patients who know they are allergic to metals should be tested on different parts of the implant. For precisely these situations, a knee replacement prosthesis was created, with ceramic coating on the implants to prevent metal from coming into contact with the tissues.
No reports of allergies to the plastic components exist.
Damage to the nerves
Rarely, nerve damage can result from knee replacement surgery. Although there is little chance of success, the damaged nerve typically heals in six to twelve months. Because a branch of a small nerve is cut during surgery, it is common for the skin around the incision and at the front of the knee to be numb. In a few months, the sensation usually returns to normal.
There are several additional potential side effects from knee replacement surgery. It is noteworthy that the vast majority of knee replacement surgeries are effective and come with no serious side effects. Make sure you discuss these potential side effects with your surgeon to be well-prepared for your knee replacement.
For More Information Contact: Dr.Vivek Logani
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