Why Do Knee Replacements Fail?
Writter By: Rightdevice Team
Five Reasons Why Knee Replacements Fail
While most knee replacements will function well for years, patients should be aware of the signs of failure—including increased pain or decreased function—that may require a corrective procedure known as revision total knee replacement, if necessary.
"A failed knee implant is usually caused by wear and tear with subsequent loosening of the implant. Other causes are infection, instability, fracture, or stiffness," says Dr. Amar Ranawat, a hip and knee specialist in the Adult Reconstruction and Joint Replacement Division of Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City.
Each year, more than 300 patients elect to receive revision knee surgery at Hospital for Special Surgery, despite the fact that their original surgery was performed elsewhere.
The most common symptoms of a failed knee implant are pain, instability, swelling and stiffness across the entire knee (generalized) or in a small section (localized).
Although knee replacements normally perform well for at least 15-20 years in more than 95 percent of patients, Dr. Ranawat says there are five primary reasons why a knee implant fails:
Wear and loosening: Friction caused by joint surfaces rubbing against each other wears away the surface of the implant causing bone loss and loosening of the implants.Infection: Large metal and plastic implants can serve as a surface onto which bacteria can latch.Fracture: Fractures around the knee implant that disrupt its stability may require revision surgery.Instability: A sensation of the knee "giving away" may mean that the soft-tissue surrounding the knee is too weak to support standing and walking. Improperly placed implants may also cause instability.Stiffness: Loss of range of motion which causes pain and a functional deficit.
Revision total knee replacement is a complex procedure that requires extensive pre-operative planning, specialized implants and tools, prolonged operating times and mastery of difficult surgical techniques. It usually takes longer to perform than the original knee replacement, says Dr. Ranawat, and is composed of the following stages:
Pre-surgery: Preparation includes X-rays, laboratory tests, knee aspiration and in some cases additional assessments, such as bone scans, CT scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Surgery: The implant is removed and bone grafts may be used to fill larger areas of bone loss. In some cases, metal wedges, wires or screws may be used to strengthen the bone. Finally, specialized revision knee implants are inserted.Post-operative care: This is very similar to the care of the original knee replacement. Dr. Ranawat's prescription includes a combination of physical therapy, blood management and pain medication. A brace or splint may be used to protect the joint after the surgery.
Dr. Ranawat says that more than 80 percent of patients who undergo revision knee surgery can expect to have good to excellent results. However, he cautions that complete function is not restored for all patients and “up to 20 percent of patients may still experience pain following surgery for months or even years."
With the right tools at hand, revision total knee replacements can deliver the best outcomes possible. A center devoted to bone, joint, muscle and tendon conditions, like Hospital for Special Surgery, has the surgical expertise and resources necessary to deliver the best prognoses and to promise the best outcomes possible for this complex—but necessary—procedure.
Hospital for Special Surgery performs more knee replacements and more hip surgeries than any other hospital in the nation. Visit our Revision Total Knee Replacement page for more information.
About Hospital for Special Surgery
Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) is the world’s leading academic medical center focused on musculoskeletal health. HSS is nationally ranked No. 1 in orthopedics and No. 3 in rheumatology by U.S. News & World Report (2017-2018), and is the first hospital in New York State to receive Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Service from the American Nurses Credentialing Center four consecutive times. HSS has one of the lowest infection rates in the country. HSS is an affiliate of Weill Cornell Medical College and as such all Hospital for Special Surgery medical staff are faculty of Weill Cornell. The hospital's research division is internationally recognized as a leader in the investigation of musculoskeletal and autoimmune diseases. HSS has locations in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
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https://www.hss.edu/newsroom_five-reasons-why-knee-replacements-fail.asp
