A knee replacement surgery, like any surgery, has benefits and risks. It is important for the patient to fully understand the risks associated with the surgery. While most of these risks are unlikely, the Mayo Clinic states that one to two percent of people who have this surgery will suffer some sort of complication.
Infection
As with any surgery, infection is a risk of knee replacement. However, this risk doesn't end when the incision is healed. This can happen many years after the initial surgery. In some cases, this necessitates two additional surgeries: one to remove the artificial knee and another one to place another one in the joint after the infection is cleared up.
Nerve Damage
During some knee replacements, especially when serious deformities are addressed, nerve injury may occur. This can lead to decreased sensation and mobility in the knee area. However, with physical therapy, some of these injuries will heal.
Blood Clots
Blood clots in the legs are a serious risk of knee replacement surgery. The blood clot may travel to the lungs or heart, which is often fatal.
Joint Instability
Some patients may notice that the knee is unstable after surgery. In most cases, this is a result of misalignment of the implant. A second surgery is usually needed to correct this because if it is left unstable, knee cap dislocation or a knee cap fracture can happen, usually as the result of a fall caused by the shaky joint.
Death
While dying during knee replacement surgery isn't common, it isn't unheard of either. Generally, death is a result of an anesthesia complication.
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