How to Manage Intraoperative Complications During Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty

Intraoperative complications are ideally prevented altogether, but are nevertheless an inherent and unavoidable risk in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

This article provides a review of a symposium on primary TKA intraoperative complications that was presented at the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons 2024 Annual Meeting.

The following four intraoperative complications were reviewed: 1) medial collateral ligament injury; 2) neurovascular injury; 3) extensor mechanism injury; and 4) periprosthetic fracture.

As the nationwide and per-surgeon volume of primary TKA continues to increase, it is imperative for arthroplasty surgeons to be prepared to prevent, identify, and manage intraoperative complications during primary TKA.