Top 5 Knee Replacement Complications You Must Know About

Lyfboat.com
Aug 24, 2017 · 2 min read

A majority of knee replacement surgeries conducted across the world do not result in any major complications. However, it is estimated that 1 in every 20 knee replacement candidates may experience a complication after the procedure.

But the good news is that a majority of these complications are minor. Even though these complications can be treated, it is important for every knee replacement surgery candidate to know thoroughly about the risks associated with the surgery and what they must be prepared for.

The following are the five most important and common complications of knee replacement surgery:

Blood Clotting

Following a knee replacement surgery, a blood clot may form in the deep vein of the legs. This condition is also known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). It may result because of the changes in the ability of the blood to clot and the direction of blood flow after the surgery.

A surgeon may take specific precautions to make sure that DVT does not result following the surgery. Some of these precautions include the administration of blood-thinning medications, the use of special stockings that prevent a blood clot from forming, and the use of pumps to exercise feet.

Pulmonary Embolism

It is a rare complication of the surgery in which a blood clot may travel through the blood stream to reach the lungs. This may lead to chest pain and shortness of breath. If left untreated or if treatment is delayed, pulmonary embolism may lead to the death of the patient. It is usually treated with the help of clot-dissolving medications and oxygen therapy.

Pain

Pain is one of the most common complications of knee replacement surgery. While some people may suffer from an ongoing pain after the surgery, the others may develop a new form of pain. It is estimated that between 10 and 20 percent of the knee replacement candidates suffer from moderate to severe pain for a long-term after the surgery.

Stiffness

Some patients may continue to experience stiffness of the knee after the surgery. This condition usually gets better with time as the candidate exercises and the swelling goes off. But in other cases, proper intervention is required. The surgeon may stop physical therapy to facilitate scarring so that the soft tissues are glued together or they may surgically manipulate the joint.

Infection

Wound infection affects 1 in 50 patients. Minor infections are treated with the help of antibiotics. However, serious infections do not get cleared up until the artificial knee joint is replaced by a new one.

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Lyfboat.com

Lyfboat.com connects patients and their families with state of the art hospitals and the most reputable doctors.

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