Risk and complications of knee replacement surgery

Every surgery carries some potential risks, and knee replacement is no exception.

Complications are rare (less than 2% overall) after knee replacement surgery but can occur despite the best efforts of a doctor.

Older adults (aged 65 and older) are at higher risk of complications than younger adults.

Read on to learn about the common risks and complications of knee replacement and how to mitigate the risk.

Chest infection or Pneumonia

Pneumonia is most likely to affect the elderly and those with weakened immunity. This infection most commonly occurs after surgery, when bacteria enter the bloodstream from the lungs and throat and move to other parts of the body.

If your immune system is weakened for some reason, you are more susceptible to infections. In some cases, this can be prevented by taking antibiotics under anesthesia before surgery.

Chest infection after knee replacement is not good for an implant. There is an increased chance of organisms that may spread and infect the knee replacement prosthesis. Seek medical attention immediately if you have symptoms of a chest infection.

MRSA

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an infection caused by staphylococci that are resistant to many antibiotics.

People who have had surgery or have weakened immunity are at increased risk of contracting MRSA which can be fatal if left untreated.

MRSA infections can occur in communities or hospitals. Many are unaware carriers of this deadly bacterium.

Be sure to wash your hands after touching anything in the hospital like bed sheets or blankets or appliances.

MRSA screening is performed before replacement surgery. If it is detected, your doctor can prescribe medication and postpone your surgery until you are clear.

UTI

Urinary tract infections are common in old age. Fortunately, you can easily prevent this by drinking cranberry juice daily or taking cranberry pills.

If you experience fever, burning sensation, pain when urinating, or lower abdominal pain, call your doctor immediately. These symptoms may indicate a more serious problem.

It is common to have a urine test before surgery to check for urinary tract infections. If the test is positive (the urinary tract is infected), the doctor may delay surgery and start antibiotic treatment.

If you have a urinary tract infection after knee replacement surgery, you should see a doctor immediately.

Blood Clots

When you are immobile and bedridden, blood clots can develop in your legs (and other body parts). The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) estimates that you’re at risk for blood clots or Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) if you’ve had knee replacement surgery within one month, however, the majority of clots are not that deadly.

Some symptoms include pain, swelling, tenderness or warmth in your leg, an unexplained cough, and redness or bluish discoloration on your leg.

If any of these symptoms appear after knee replacement surgery, contact your doctor immediately as they could be signs of a serious health problem!

Your doctor will give you an anticoagulant (blood thinner) to reduce the chance of blood clots (Deep vein thrombosis) after surgery.

During recovery after knee replacement surgery, it’s especially important to move around as much as possible so you don’t develop any clots that could lead to health problems later on.

Wound Infection

If you've had surgery, it's important to keep your wound clean. Bacteria and germs can get into your body through open wounds—and certain medical conditions put you at higher risk for getting an infection.

You may also develop a bacterial infection if you have a weakened immune system due to taking certain medications or because of a chronic condition like diabetes or kidney disease.

Watch out for signs of infection such as redness, swelling, drainage, and pain in your wound—particularly if it gets worse after just one day of treatment.

And call your doctor right away if symptoms start to worsen instead of getting better; these could be signs that something more serious is going on.

Be sure to tell your doctor about any antibiotic allergies before they prescribe antibiotics for you. Antibiotics kill bacteria, but they won't work against viruses (like colds) or fungal infections (like athlete's foot).

Plus, many types of bacteria don't respond well to antibiotics. Your doctor will determine which type of antibiotic will work best for you based on where your infection is located in your body and what type of bacteria is causing it.

Complications of anesthesia

Responses to anesthetics vary from person to person. Some people experience unpleasant reactions such as persistent nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, headaches, allergic reactions, and sore throats. Fortunately, most anesthetic drugs are washed away from the body within 8 hours, so you will feel better after the anesthesia is gone.

Blood loss

Serious bleeding can occur during or after surgery. Most patients who undergo primary (first) knee replacement do not require blood transfusions. However, in certain situations, blood transfusions may be needed to make up for the loss.

Sometimes preoperative blood donations are made for later use. For massive blood loss, a cell saver machine (which draws blood from the surgical field, cleans it, and transfuses it to the patient) is used.

Fractures

In rare cases, fractures can occur during or after knee replacement surgery. If you have severe osteoporosis with osteoarthritis, you are at risk. Doctors try to correct bone strength before and after surgery.

Fractures during surgery are usually corrected when the patient is still on the operating table. Your rehab will be delayed, which will give the bones a chance to unite.

This list is not exhaustive and many other complications can occur during or after knee replacement surgery. Talk to your doctor about the risks and complications of surgery before agreeing to it.

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