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What are the potential problems after knee replacement?

The most common complications of total knee surgery can now largely be avoided. Before surgery each patient receives a complete medical examination by a doctor, as well as routine testing. Donation of one’s own blood prior to surgery can eliminate the problem of HIV and Hepatitis completely. While inflammation of the leg veins (phlebitis) is not rare, the occurrence of death from this has been almost totally eliminated with the use of support stockings, knee motion machines and blood thinning medications (such as Coumadin.)

Infection in a total knee replacement can be a disaster. Like other complications, it is better avoided than treated. At the Rothman Institute all joint replacement surgery is done in special laminar flow operating rooms designed to keep out dust, germs and unclean air. The surgeons also wear "space suits". These full body suits, worn over normal scrubs, let the surgeons move and breathe without spreading germs, since an exhaust tube carries dirty air out of the room. Thanks to these measures, the infection rate at The Rothman Institute is among the lowest in the world - less than half of 1%.

Long term complications such as wear, stiffness or loosening of the parts relate as much to patient behavior as to surgical success. However, these problem knees can usually be improved through revision surgery.

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