Infection
A
major potential risk with total joint replacement is the risk
of infection. When a patient undergoes total joint replacement,
they are started on intravenous antibiotic therapy to reduce
the chance of infection. In our experience, and across the
country, the risk of infection is approximately 2% or less.
This means that 1 case in 200 has the potential for infection.
Infection in the post operative course in most patients is
treatable. It may simply require longer hospitalization, treatment
with antibiotics for a longer period than normal, opening
the joint and draining it, or in some instances removing the
artificial components in order to cure the infection before
implanting another artificial joint. In extreme cases where
infection cannot be treated successfully, a patient may need
to have the artificial joint removed permanently and have
the joint fused.
Loosening
Loosening
of a prosthesis is another potential risk in total joint surgery.
Loosening may occur in any one individual component or occur
in all the components. The occurrence of loosening in a total
joint replacement is approximately 1% per year in our experience.
Loosening of a prosthesis is not usually a sudden occurrence,
but a gradual process, characterized by increasing discomfort.
In most instances, if a prosthesis becomes loosened, it can
be corrected by another surgical procedure.
Thrombosis
The
occurrence of a blood clot or thrombosis after total joint
replacement is another potential risk. Because patients are
mobile very early in the postoperative period, this is a complication
that is seen much less frequently now than in the past. In
addition to early mobility, patients are treated with pulsatile
stockings, (to prevent the stasis of blood in the lower extremities)
and low doses of aspirin or other anticoagulation medications
to reduce the risk of forming a thrombosis. If a patient is
diagnosed with a blood clot, treatment with intravenous heparin
and oral coumadin is initiated. As a result, patients may
need to be hospitalized slightly longer, but recuperation
remains normal overall.
While
these complications may occur after any total joint surgery,
both hip and knee joint replacement have unique problems which
may occur.
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Infection A major potential risk with total joint replacement is the risk of infection. When a patient undergoes total joint replacement, they are started on intravenous antibiotic therapy to reduce the chance of infection. In our experience, and across the country, the risk of infection is approximately 2% or less. This means that 1 case in 200 has the potential for infection. Infection in the post operative course in most patients is treatable. It may simply require longer hospitalization, treatment with antibiotics for a longer period than normal, opening the joint and draining it, or in some instances removing the artificial components in order to cure the infection before implanting another artificial joint. In extreme cases where infection cannot be treated successfully, a patient may need to have the artificial joint removed permanently and have the joint fused. Loosening Loosening of a prosthesis is another potential risk in total joint surgery. Loosening may occur in any one individual component or occur in all the components. The occurrence of loosening in a total joint replacement is approximately 1% per year in our experience. Loosening of a prosthesis is not usually a sudden occurrence, but a gradual process, characterized by increasing discomfort. In most instances, if a prosthesis becomes loosened, it can be corrected by another surgical procedure. Thrombosis The occurrence of a blood clot or thrombosis after total joint replacement is another potential risk. Because patients are mobile very early in the postoperative period, this is a complication that is seen much less frequently now than in the past. In addition to early mobility, patients are treated with pulsatile stockings, (to prevent the stasis of blood in the lower extremities) and low doses of aspirin or other anticoagulation medications to reduce the risk of forming a thrombosis. If a patient is diagnosed with a blood clot, treatment with intravenous heparin and oral coumadin is initiated. As a result, patients may need to be hospitalized slightly longer, but recuperation remains normal overall. While these complications may occur after any total joint surgery, both hip and knee joint replacement have unique problems which may occur.
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