Joint problems and degeneration, which now make up for 11% of the population worldwide can be effectively treated with medications. However, for individuals suffering from chronic joint disease and those who fail to respond to medications and other treatments, joint replacement surgeries work wonderfully. Though this joint replacement surgery, which is usually carried out on the knees and hip, has proved to be extremely beneficial, it does have a few complications. Listed below are few of them.
Complications of Knee And Hip Surgery
Joint Dislocation
Often, due to extensive degeneration of joint tissue, a large portion of the diseased tissue may have to be replaced to improve motility and reduce stiffness of joints.Bleeding
Bleeding is another common complication of a knee or hip replacement surgery. It is a common risk factor in many surgeries, especially orthopedic surgeries. Heavy loss of blood may prove to be potentially life threatening and in such cases, blood transfusion may be required.Osteolysis
After joint replacement surgery, when the patient has successfully obtained his motility, there may be certain debris formed due to friction between the installed components.
These debris stimulate immune response and cause formation of cysts, which is found in 7% cases having undergone knee or hip replacement surgery.Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
It is an abnormal pain reflex occurring mostly in the lower extremities, most commonly after total knee replacement surgeries. This may cause pain and stiffness in the upper or lower extremities of the body. In addition, sometimes the skin around the area tends to get discolored and fragile. This complication is a complex risk factor and is difficult to diagnose and treat.Neurovascular Injury
During the hip replacement procedure, an incision is required to be made in particular areas where there is abundance of nerves and blood vessels. Though this complication is extremely rare, there are cases where a nerve has stretched and lead to neurovascular injury.Loosening and Wearing
Wear and tear is a part of human body functions, and the same also happens with surgical procedures. Metal or ceramic fillings done during the procedures carry the risk of getting loose or wearing away post surgery.Before opting for a knee or hip replacement surgery, it is always best to talk to your physician and know which therapy would work best for you.
