Knee replacement surgery complications

Usually knee joint operations are trouble-free but around 1 in every 20 person might have to face some or the other complications during or post surgery. The risk of complications depends on various factors including age and general health of the patient. In most cases, a younger patient with no other medical problems is comparatively at a lower risk of developing any complications after total knee replacement surgery. Some of the risk factors and Knee replacement surgery complications might be:

 

Blood clots or lump: During or post surgery, often blood clots or lump takes place in the leg deep in veins which can further cause swelling or pain. This normally happens due to the changes in the blood flow. 

Some Drugs: After surgery, your physician might prescribe you some medication and drugs. Some of them might be blood thinning drugs which carry the risk of bleeding.

Pulmonary embolism: Though this is not observed in a large number, but few patients do face this post surgery which happens by forming small blood clots which reach the lungs and further lead to breathlessness and chest pain. In it extremity, Pulmonary embolism can be life risking.

Infection: This is common problems with all the surgeries which occur with 1 person in 50 cases. To prevent the wound from infection, proper medication and drugs prescribed by the doctor should be taken in timely manner.

Damage in the Nerve or tissue: In a very smaller number of cases, the arteries, ligaments or nerves can be damaged during the surgery. According to the data, about 1 in 1,000 patients endure damage to arteries that more often than not needs further surgery to repair.

Bone rupture: During a surgery, sometimes the bone around the replacement joint can sometimes break. This is an exceptional case but when it comes about, further surgery is usually required to repair the fracture or replace the joint.

Bone displacement: When a knee replacement surgery takes place, there is a small risk of dislocation of the knee, and this would call for further surgery.

Bleeding: This happens when blood collects in a wound. It is normal to have a small amount of blood loss during and after any surgery. Normally, it stops within a couple of days. But sometimes, blood may accumulate under the skin leading to pain and swelling.

Pain: In all the surgeries, patient will generally feel pain which slowly and gradually subsides with time. This complication is known as complex regional pain syndrome. There are some pain clinics that can help with this in case of a total knee arthroplasty in Delhi.

Stiffness in joints: Some people experience increasing rigidity after surgery. Usually patients get relief with mild exercise. Pain may prevent the patient from doing physiotherapy workout. Occasionally knee stiffness may be treated by a manipulation of the joint under anaesthetic, followed by intensive physiotherapy.

Breathing problems: Surgery involving general anaesthesia can lead to breathing troubles with some patients. Some people have trouble breathing right after surgery, especially if they had general anaesthesia or chloroform to numb the area.

Aside from the above risks associated with surgery, there are other potential complications:

•                    In a Total knee replacement surgery, a component can become loose or dislocate from its place or may get misaligned.

•                    The size of both the legs may be somewhat different after surgery. Most people who have gone through total knee replacement surgery can face this.

•                    One can feel some stiffness with the new knee. There could be difficult in bending the knee.

•                    An allergic reaction to the bone can arise.

•                    Like any major surgery involving general anaesthesia, there is a low risk of strokes, heart attacks, pneumonia or blood clots.