Do you suffer from severe knee pain because of osteoarthritis or some other knee deformity and are seeking a solution to get back to your normal and active form? Knee replacement surgery is an excellent option to go with. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons reveals that over 600,000 people undergo knee replacement surgeries in the United States every year. Knee replacement surgery improves your mobility, reduces knee pain, and provides a good amount of relief.
Knee replacement surgery is a safe and effective procedure, but as with any medical procedure, knee replacement surgery also carries a risk of severe complications in fewer than 2% of patients. The risks of knee replacement surgery range from minor infections to swollen joints and knee stiffness. However, these risks are avoidable with better care.
Let’s talk about the risks associated with knee replacement surgery and how you can avoid them.
Infection
It is very rare to get an infection after knee replacement surgery, but there are chances of getting an infection if your immune system is compromised by a medical condition or by the use of certain medications. The cuts placed on your skin to perform a surgical procedure can make you prone to infection. Keeping these cuts clean and dry reduces the chances of infection.
While minor infections can be treated with antibiotics, major and deep infections may require a second surgery.
Long-Term Knee Stiffness
To avoid complications, your doctor will recommend physical therapy after knee replacement surgery. Avoiding physical therapy leads to excessive scar tissue formation around the soft tissue of the joint. These scar tissues can cause long-term stiffness. Regular exercise and movement can help prevent joint stiffness.
Implant Failure
Implant failure happens when your implant does not work correctly. Your new joint can wear out, loosen, or lose its stability. In a few cases, infections or tissue mismatch can also culminate into implant failure. If your joint implant fails, you are likely to experience more pain and stiffness.
There is quite a chance that you may need a second surgery if the first knee replacement fails.
Injury to Blood Vessels and Nerves
During a knee replacement surgery, the nerves, arteries, or veins around your knee can get injured. These injuries can lead to pain, numbness, or lower blood flow around the knee. A second surgical procedure might be required to fix this complication.
Allergic Reaction to Knee Implant
During a knee replacement surgery, you’re at risk of developing an allergic reaction to the plastic or metallic replacement of the knee. An implant can trigger an allergic response, which can be seen as redness, rash, blisters, and swelling at the surgery site. Your doctor will test you for metal allergies before knee replacement surgery.
Blood Clotting
One of the most significant complications associated with knee replacement surgery is clotting of blood. If you have undergone a blood vessel injury during surgery or are immobile for a long time after knee replacement, the chance is high that a blood clot may develop in your legs (deep vein thrombosis). This blood clot can break free and travel to the lungs, blocking the blood flow (pulmonary embolism) and becoming life-threatening.
Your doctor will recommend you wear compression devices or move the legs after surgery to avoid a blood clot.
How to Avoid Risks of Knee Replacement Surgery?
The risk of developing complications after knee replacement surgery is low but still present. If you’ve undergone knee replacement surgery or want to go for one, you can practice the following tips to avoid the risks associated with surgery:
- Choose an expert surgeon
- Do not over-stress a replaced knee with activities like climbing stairs too quickly
- Exercise regularly and undergo physical therapy or rehabilitation process
- Use a cold compress to lower swelling and reduce pain
- Take prescribed medicines regularly
- Focus on health maintenance
Knee Replacement Surgery in North Naples, Florida
Choosing an expert surgeon is the most crucial decision that you can make to avoid risks associated with surgery. Here at North Naples Surgery Center, we make sure to provide the best surgical care for our patients. Our healthcare providers will ensure a successful surgical outcome by staying with you throughout the procedure.
If you like to schedule a consultation with us, contact us at (239) 591-2811. You can also let us know you are coming by securing an appointment through the online appointment request form. We are looking forward to serving you!
