What is the most serious complication of a knee joint replacement?

Blood clots are one of the most significant risks of knee replacement surgery. If surgery damages a blood vessel or the person does not move for several days after the procedure, blood flow can slow, and a blood clot may form. A blood clot in one of the deep veins in the legs is called deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

What are some of the complications of total knee replacement?

The 22 TKA complications and adverse events include bleeding, wound complication, thromboembolic disease, neural deficit, vascular injury, medial collateral ligament injury, instability, malalignment, stiffness, deep joint infection, fracture, extensor mechanism disruption, patellofemoral dislocation, tibiofemoral …

What are the signs of a knee replacement going bad?

Signs that your knee replacement is failing are: soreness and severe pain; signs of an infection such as redness, swelling, fever, chills, etc.; knee stiffness; difficulty bending the knee; difficulty walking with the knee replacement; or a feeling that your knee is unstable.

What is the main body system affected by TKR?

The thighbone (or femur) abuts the large bone of the lower leg (tibia) at the knee joint. During a total knee replacement, the end of the femur bone is removed and replaced with a metal shell. The end of the lower leg bone (tibia) is also removed and replaced with a channeled plastic piece with a metal stem.

Why is my knee replacement hurting so bad?

“If you are having knee pain after a replacement, it is important to find out if the implant is functioning the way it should,” Dr. Stulberg said. “Pain that occurs early after surgery can signal the presence of infection, problems related to the way the implant anchors to bone, or the way the mechanism is working.”

How long after knee replacement do you have to worry about infection?

Everyone who has a knee replaced is at risk for a deep infection. Most infections occur in the first two years after surgery. This is when 60 to 70 percent of prosthetic joint infections occur. That said, infections can develop at any time after surgery.

What causes pain on outside of knee after TKR?

Many of the patients that we see with knee pain after knee replacement have pain on the outside of the knee. This is where the ligaments and the tendons are. Most often these connective tissues are damaged either by the surgery or new stress placed on them by the implant.

What is the best pain reliever after knee replacement?

Acetaminophen: Normal Tylenol taken at doses recommended by your doctor can help with pain relief and have a much lower risk of future addiction. Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): NSAIDs are a great option for non-narcotic pain medications, such as ibuprofen (Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve).

What does knee infection look like?

It often has a yellow or white center and a central head. Sometimes an infected area is surrounded by an area of redness and warmth, known as cellulitis. Pus and other fluids may drain from the affected area. Some people also experience a fever.

Why do my knees hurt 3 months after TKR?

A: Recovery from surgery can take several months, so it’s not unusual to still have soreness in the knee that was replaced. As the intensity of rehabilitation exercises increases, more strain is put on the muscles and joints that have not been used in a period of time.

What causes stabbing pains in knees after TKR?

A Baker’s cyst is a fluid-filled cyst that develops at the back of the knee. It’s often the result of a problem within the knee joint such as osteoarthritis. “The pain is like a stabbing, someone taking a knife and just stabbing it in your knee and twisting it,” Jasper says. “You can’t straighten your leg out. …

How long does stiffness last after TKR?

The incidence of arthrofibrosis is extremely low. Some knee stiffness following a total knee replacement is normal. Slight stiffness may persist for months or years and become more apparent after exercise or activity.

What are the complications of surgery?

Sometimes complications can occur after surgery. Here are some possible complications: Shock. Shock is a dangerous drop in blood flow throughout the body. Shock most often appears as low blood pressure. Bleeding. Blood loss from the site of surgery can lead to shock. Wound infection.

What not to do after knee replacement?

Running and Marathons. I’ve read about people who ran marathons after TKR.

What are the complications after total knee replacement?

Knee Stiffness. Knee stiffness after replacement can often be treated with therapy.