Joint replacement surgeries are elective, and you can choose to live with the pain and limited mobility or get surgery done. There are many positives that you will hear about when you start asking around. Still, the best orthopaedic surgeons in India will also tell you about the negatives that can arise out of joint replacement surgery. Most hip replacement surgeries are done due to a fall or trauma, but the knee replacement surgery is generally elective.
Complications That Can Arise Out of Joint Replacement Surgery
Although most knee replacements will allow you to become pain-free and regain the ability to move freely after the recuperation period, some negatives need to be known before you proceed with the surgery.
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Wound healing can be an issue, especially if you are diabetic or overweight. The possibilities of inadequate healing can occur if you are on steroids, are elderly or suffer from psoriasis. You should be very careful with dressings and report any visible issues to your surgeon immediately.
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Total joint replacement surgery carries a significant risk of infection. Here too patients with a history of diabetes, malnourishment, obesity and elderly age suffer more symptoms of infection. Nearly 16% of all surgeries have complications from an infection. It is crucial to detect the signs early and take action. See your surgeon regularly as prescribed.
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The most feared complication of total Knee replacement is DVT or deep vein thrombosis. A swollen calf or thigh may alert you to this issue. Anti-coagulation therapy by the best orthopaedic surgeons of India can reduce the risk of pulmonary embolism and further damage due to the clot.
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If you have very compromised joint mobility before the operation or the prosthesis placement has not been optimal, you may face a post-operative limitation of motion. The joint may also become functionally impaired. This can be partially corrected by physiotherapy and manipulation of the prosthesis under anaesthesia.
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There is a danger of Peroneal nerve palsy after the operation. It may result in numbness and foot drop syndrome. The nerve may have to be explored surgically or by more conservative methods.
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Most patients find relief from pain after the surgery, but a small percentage may still have persistent pain afterwards. There are some reasons like unrealistic expectations given by the surgeon, flaws in the operative procedure and other pain triggers too. Improper care after the surgery and inadequate physical therapy could also be the contributors to post-operative pain.
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The most common reasons for a negative outcome on a total joint replacement are the psychological status of the patient before the operation. Many a time, the chronic pain that the patient has been suffering from can kill the wish to get better. They are not motivated to give their best to post-operative care and seem apathetic towards their own recuperation.
This list is not to scare you off a possibly pain-free life after a knee replacement. It is an attempt to ensure that you make the right decision and recuperate healthily. Take the right step towards painless steps.
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