Cons of Knee Replacement Surgery

Many people who have had knee replacement surgery feel that the benefits of the procedure outweigh the drawbacks. Like all surgeries, knee replacement surgery does carry some risks. It is important to find a doctor you trust and talk to her about both the pros and potential cons of surgery before going under the knife.

Post-Operative

• Immediately following knee replacement surgery you should expect some pain and swelling in your knee. This swelling can last up to 3 months but is temporary.

Complications

• Like all surgeries, knee surgery can be subject to complications. Potential complications of knee replacement include infection, nerve damage and blood clots. Upon occasion, the leg with the new knee might be slightly longer after surgery than it was before.

Scarring

• Depending upon the surgical technique, knee replacement surgery will leave a scar over the kneecap. Some patients report that this scar makes kneeling uncomfortable.

Numbness

• It is not unusual to experience numbness around the scar left by knee replacement surgery. In many patients, this numbness fades, but it is permanent on some people.

Noises

• Some people experience a clicking noise in their knee when it bends and when walking. This noise is caused by the operation of the new joint. It is not experienced by everyone and, while potentially annoying, is not dangerous or indicative of a problem with the new joint.

Permanence

• The artificial knee joints used in knee replacement surgery last 15 years, on average. Some people, however, do need to have the artificial joint replaced prior to the expected 15 year life. Younger patients expecting to have the joint for longer than 15 years should be aware of the possible need for a second replacement.