As with any operation, knee replacement surgery has risks as well as benefits. Although most people who have a knee replacement have no problems at all, complications arise in about 1 in 20 cases. Most of these are minor and can be successfully treated.
Your anaesthetist and surgeon can answer any questions you may have about your personal risks from anaesthetics and the surgery itself.
Risks include:
- Infection of the wound. This will usually be treated with antibiotics, but occasionally the wound can become deeply infected and require further surgery. Very occasionally, it requires replacement of the artificial knee joint.
- Fracture in the bone around the artificial joint during or after surgery. Treatment will depend on the location and extent of the fracture.
- Excess bone forming around the artificial knee joint and restricting movement of the knee. Further surgery may be able to remove this and restore movement.
- Excess scar tissue forming and restricting movement of the knee. Further surgery may be able to remove this and restore movement.
- The kneecap becoming dislocated. Surgery can usually repair this.
- Numbness in the area around the wound scar.
- Allergic reaction. You may have an allergic reaction to the bone cement if this is used in your procedure.
- Unexpected bleeding into the knee joint.
- Ligament, artery or nerve damage in the area around the knee joint.
- Blood clots or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Clots may form in the leg veins as a result of reduced movement in the leg during the first few weeks after surgery. They can be prevented by using special support stockings, starting to walk or exercise soon after surgery, and by using anticoagulant medicines.
In some cases, the new knee joint may not be completely stable and further surgery may be needed to correct it.
