What are the risks of partial and total knee replacement surgery?
In general, complications occur infrequently after knee replacement surgery. However there are anesthetic and medical risks, as well as those related to the knee replacement surgery. The anesthesiologist will speak to you about the specific risks of anesthesia. The medical consultant that sees you preoperatively will review medical risks, but generally these include cardiopulmonary (heart and lung) problems, blood clots, pulmonary embolism, urinary tract infection, stroke – all of which are uncommon. The risk of death within thirty days after surgery is approximately one-tenth of one percent. Surgical risks include eventual loosening or wear (6-10% within 10-15 years), infection (less than 1% in Dr. Lonner’s practice), bleeding, pain, fracture, tendon or ligament injury, nerve or blood vessel injury, limb lengthening, stiffness, instability, numbness, weakness, implant breakage, swelling, blisters, and wound breakdown. In the case of partial knee replacements, since only a portion of t
