Rare Complications of Knee Surgery
Knee surgery is a remarkably successful operation. Generally speaking, it is completely successful ninety-eight percent of the time. A rare two percent of patients may contract an infection of the knee joint following surgery. Extremely rare, indeed, are those patients who have serious complications such as stroke or heart attack.
Patients who have a chronic illness will be a bit more likely to experience complications. Rehabilitation may be extended by chronic illness, and complete recovery may be hindered.
Clotting of the leg veins is the most common complication experienced by patients; however, this can usually be avoided by following doctors orders. Your orthopedic surgeon will give you a complete list of instructions following surgery. They may include the use of compressive stockings, taking blood thinning medications, performing specific exercises, and keeping the leg elevated at intervals. Be sure to follow these instructions, and the incidence of blood clots will be greatly decreased.
Occasionally, a component of the replacement may become worn, damaged, or loosened. This rarely happens because the materials used are of extremely high quality, and of course, the surgery is performed with great care.
Although a patient can usually expect to have a ROM (range of motion) of 115 after surgery, there are some exceptions. For example, if you had very limited ROM (range of motion) before the surgery, it will be quite likely to be somewhat limited after the surgery. Additionally, on very rare occasions, damage to the blood vessels or nerves of the knee may occur. This can limit motion somewhat.
Click here for more on knee surgery procedures .
If you have concerns about complications, discuss them thoroughly with your orthopedic surgeon.
Home Recovery Guide
Ninety percent of the time, you can expect your knee replacement to last for 10 years or so. To be sure you get the most use possible from your knee replacement, follow the instructions your orthopedic surgeon will give you. Elevate your leg, do your prescribed exercises, take blood thinning medications as instructed, and use support stockings if your doctor tells you to. By doing this, you will greatly extend the life of your knee replacement implant.
How To Take Care Of Your Wound
Your wound will be stapled or stitched shut. Alternately, it will be stitched below the skins surface. In the case of exterior closure, the staples or stitches will be removed at a set date following your surgery. In the case of subcutaneous stitches, you will not need to worry about removal at all.
Keep your wound dry until it is completely healed. You can place a bandage over it to protect it from rubbing against your compression hose or your clothing.
Stay Active
Your orthopedic surgeon will probably give you a list of exercises to do in the weeks right after your surgery. Be sure to do them, even though you may experience a bit of pain while doing them. You may also experience some pain while lying down at night. Minor pain is normal and should not alarm you. It should subside, and you should be able to go back to your regular ADL (activities of daily living) within three to six weeks. - 17274
Patients who have a chronic illness will be a bit more likely to experience complications. Rehabilitation may be extended by chronic illness, and complete recovery may be hindered.
Clotting of the leg veins is the most common complication experienced by patients; however, this can usually be avoided by following doctors orders. Your orthopedic surgeon will give you a complete list of instructions following surgery. They may include the use of compressive stockings, taking blood thinning medications, performing specific exercises, and keeping the leg elevated at intervals. Be sure to follow these instructions, and the incidence of blood clots will be greatly decreased.
Occasionally, a component of the replacement may become worn, damaged, or loosened. This rarely happens because the materials used are of extremely high quality, and of course, the surgery is performed with great care.
Although a patient can usually expect to have a ROM (range of motion) of 115 after surgery, there are some exceptions. For example, if you had very limited ROM (range of motion) before the surgery, it will be quite likely to be somewhat limited after the surgery. Additionally, on very rare occasions, damage to the blood vessels or nerves of the knee may occur. This can limit motion somewhat.
Click here for more on knee surgery procedures .
If you have concerns about complications, discuss them thoroughly with your orthopedic surgeon.
Home Recovery Guide
Ninety percent of the time, you can expect your knee replacement to last for 10 years or so. To be sure you get the most use possible from your knee replacement, follow the instructions your orthopedic surgeon will give you. Elevate your leg, do your prescribed exercises, take blood thinning medications as instructed, and use support stockings if your doctor tells you to. By doing this, you will greatly extend the life of your knee replacement implant.
How To Take Care Of Your Wound
Your wound will be stapled or stitched shut. Alternately, it will be stitched below the skins surface. In the case of exterior closure, the staples or stitches will be removed at a set date following your surgery. In the case of subcutaneous stitches, you will not need to worry about removal at all.
Keep your wound dry until it is completely healed. You can place a bandage over it to protect it from rubbing against your compression hose or your clothing.
Stay Active
Your orthopedic surgeon will probably give you a list of exercises to do in the weeks right after your surgery. Be sure to do them, even though you may experience a bit of pain while doing them. You may also experience some pain while lying down at night. Minor pain is normal and should not alarm you. It should subside, and you should be able to go back to your regular ADL (activities of daily living) within three to six weeks. - 17274
About the Author:
Dr. Tarlow is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon with over 20 years specializing in knee surgery. He opened his own clinic, Advanced Knee Care, with a focus on specialty patient care. Click here to learn more about Dr. Tarlow, knee surgery and partial knee.
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