Risk of Double Knee Replacement Surgery

Double knee replacement surgery is an extensive surgery that aims to bring back comfort and movement to patients suffering from a variety of knee problems. When compared with single knee replacement surgery, the risks associated with double knee replacement surgery increase significantly.

Infection

• After double knee replacement surgery, the patient may develop an infection in the wound or within the knee joint. Infections are typically treated successfully with antibiotics, but serious infections may require additional surgery.

Blood Problems

• Blood clots may develop after double knee replacement surgery. In serious cases, the blood clot may move to the lungs and could be fatal. According to the University of Washington School of Medicine, having both knees replaced at the same time drastically also increases your risk of needing a blood transfusion.

Nerve Damage

• Although nerve damage is rare, it is a possible risk of double knee replacement surgery. Nerve damage will cause numbness, tingling and difficulty moving the muscles around the affected area.

Cardiac Complications

• Although single knee replacement surgery has a slight risk for cardiac complications, the risk increases significantly during double knee replacement surgery. These cardiac complications are often severe and sometimes fatal.

Prosthetic Problems

• Double knee replacement surgery involves fitting the knee bones with metal and/or plastic prosthetic pieces. Over time, this prosthesis may become loose from the bone. Since the knees were replaced in the same surgery, both knees may fail at the same time, making mobility difficult.