Complications

Some complications belong to the so-called general operation risks and can occur during any operation and thus of course also when using an artificial knee joint. These include injury to existing structures such as muscles, ligaments, tendons and nerves. However, they also include infections or thromboses caused by immobilization (e.g. by bed rest after the operation).

If nerves are injured, this can lead to sensory disturbances and in the worst case to muscle weakness or paralysis. Another complication that can occur during the operation of an artificial knee joint is a wound healing disorder after the operation. In most cases, however, this can be avoided by careful disinfection, sterile work and good postoperative miracle care.

One of the more specific complications that can occur during the insertion of the artificial knee joint is the so-called prosthesis infection. This is a bacterial infection of the artificial knee joint, which in the worst case can lead to blood poisoning, known as sepsis. A further risk is the postoperative loosening of the artificial knee joint.

Such a loosening can be detected early on by means of an X-ray. When an artificial knee joint is fitted, arthrofibrosis in the knee is a dreaded complication. It is the medical term for an increased formation of connective tissue structures within the knee joint.

This leads to increased adhesions and adhesions that hinder the healing process and cause pain to the patient. At the same time they lead to a significant restriction of movement. It is not yet fully understood how exactly this strong increase in connective tissue occurs.

Durability

Since many younger patients now also need an artificial knee joint and it is therefore no longer just an operation for older people, the durability of the prosthesis plays an important role. The general durability varies greatly from patient to patient. This is due to the different initial conditions.

For example, how fit and agile is the patient before the operation, how well developed are his leg muscles, does he possibly have reduced bone density or is overweight. All these factors play a role in the durability of the artificial knee joint. As a rule, an artificial knee joint lasts an average of 15 to 20 years.

This long durability naturally depends on the stress to which the prosthesis is subjected. Certain sports, such as skiing or increased jumping, damage the artificial knee joint and thus significantly reduce its durability. Many patients would like to know from their treating physician what it is like to practice sports after the installation of an artificial knee joint.

In general, it can be said that one can of course also do sports with an artificial knee joint. It is important to be careful, especially in the initial period after the operation, and to keep to the times of partial weight-bearing so that the prosthesis does not loosen. There are also certain sports that are more suitable for patients with an artificial knee joint.

These include cycling, swimming or even hiking.Sports with constant impact movements on the artificial knee joint or sports that involve rotational movements in the knee joint should be avoided. These can lead to the prosthesis loosening from its anchorage. This sport includes all possible ball and contact sports as well as downhill skiing and tennis.