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Complications following total knee replacement
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research
|November 1, 1976
Summary
Total knee arthroplasty shows high complication rates, including phlebothrombosis (46%) and infections (10.8%). Further clinical experience is needed before widespread adoption of this total knee replacement procedure.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a common procedure for end-stage knee arthritis.
- Long-term complication data following TKA are crucial for surgical decision-making and patient counseling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the complication rates and functional outcomes of TKA.
- To assess the efficacy of 125I fibrinogen scans for thrombophlebitis detection and aspirin prophylaxis.
Main Methods:
- A 42-month follow-up study of 30 patients who underwent TKA.
- Complications including phlebothrombosis, pulmonary embolism, loosening, infections, and peroneal palsy were recorded.
- Functional outcomes were graded as excellent, good, fair, or poor.
Main Results:
- High complication rates observed: phlebothrombosis (46%), pulmonary embolism (11%), asymptomatic loosening (11.4%), symptomatic loosening (4.8%), superficial infections (5.4%), deep infections (5.4%), and peroneal palsy (4.3%).
- Functional outcomes: 58.6% excellent, 28.5% good, 5.4% fair, and 7.1% poor.
- 125I fibrinogen scan and aspirin prophylaxis were explored for thrombophlebitis management.
Conclusions:
- Total knee arthroplasty is associated with significant complication risks.
- Caution is advised due to limited encouraging results and the need for more extensive clinical experience.
- Further research into early complication detection and prophylactic measures is warranted.