Rare Complications of Knee Surgery
On rare occasions a patient may have complications after knee surgery; however, this happens less than 2% of the time. Sometimes the knee joint may become infected. Even more rarely, heart attack or stroke may occur.
In the event of chronic illness, the chance of complication rises. Chronic illness may also cause rehabilitation to take a longer period of time, and chronic illness may hinder complete recovery.
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.
Sometimes the components of the replacement may loosen or the bearing surfaces may become worn. This is quite rare because the materials and techniques used for knee replacement surgery are quite sophisticated and of the highest quality.
A range-of-motion of 115 can be expected following surgery. This may be lessened by scarring of the knee or by the very rare instance of damage to the blood vessels and nerves of the knee. Additionally, if a person had limited ROM (range of motion) prior to the surgery, it can be expected to remain somewhat limited afterwards.
Click here for more on knee surgery procedures .
Be sure to talk over all your concerns with your orthopedic surgeon.
What You Should Know About Home Recovery
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.
Caring For Your Wound During Home Recovery
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.
Do not soak in the bath, swim, or otherwise get your wound thoroughly wet until it has healed completely. Keep it protected. You may wish to cover it with a bandage to protect it from becoming irritated by contact with your clothing or support stockings.
Do Your Prescribed Exercises
You will be sent home with a list of exercises that are intended to facilitate your speedy recovery. It is essential that you do them. You may feel a bit of pain while doing them; however, slight pain is normal and nothing to worry about. You may also feel a bit of pain while resting at night. As you heal, this will pass, and you will be back to normal and able to resume your regular daily activities in a month to six weeks. - 17269
In the event of chronic illness, the chance of complication rises. Chronic illness may also cause rehabilitation to take a longer period of time, and chronic illness may hinder complete recovery.
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.
Sometimes the components of the replacement may loosen or the bearing surfaces may become worn. This is quite rare because the materials and techniques used for knee replacement surgery are quite sophisticated and of the highest quality.
A range-of-motion of 115 can be expected following surgery. This may be lessened by scarring of the knee or by the very rare instance of damage to the blood vessels and nerves of the knee. Additionally, if a person had limited ROM (range of motion) prior to the surgery, it can be expected to remain somewhat limited afterwards.
Click here for more on knee surgery procedures .
Be sure to talk over all your concerns with your orthopedic surgeon.
What You Should Know About Home Recovery
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.
Caring For Your Wound During Home Recovery
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.
Do not soak in the bath, swim, or otherwise get your wound thoroughly wet until it has healed completely. Keep it protected. You may wish to cover it with a bandage to protect it from becoming irritated by contact with your clothing or support stockings.
Do Your Prescribed Exercises
You will be sent home with a list of exercises that are intended to facilitate your speedy recovery. It is essential that you do them. You may feel a bit of pain while doing them; however, slight pain is normal and nothing to worry about. You may also feel a bit of pain while resting at night. As you heal, this will pass, and you will be back to normal and able to resume your regular daily activities in a month to six weeks. - 17269
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 surgeries and anterior cruciate ligament surgery.
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11:25 AM
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