Northern Hip & Groin Institute
Serious complications and risks of knee replacement
Blood-thinning medications after surgery, compression devices and exercise to increase blood flow through the veins are important measures to reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The surgeon takes steps to achieve a balanced knee. However, straightening and bending may be difficult after the surgery. Often this is caused by weakness of the muscles.
Strengthening exercises help to resolve the issue. Extreme soft tissue hardening around the joint replacement is called arthrofibrosis. If new bone is forming within soft tissue we talk about ossification. Both conditions can lead to joint stiffness. Being overweight pre-disposes patients to an increased complication rate.
Very Rare Complications:
Damage to a main leg artery, major nerves, a major muscle or tendon close to the knee.
Inflammation of superficial varicose veins (Phlebitis).
A small number of people have serious problems such as a heart attack, a stroke, or a bad chest infection soon after the operation. It is a good idea to stop smoking before an operation because smoking makes all these problems more likely.
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