Total knee replacements are normally a very successful procedure. They offer a patients a new life in a sense, with increased ability to walk, exercise and a generally speaking better quality of life. In these procedures the distal end of the femur and proximal end of the tibia are removed and replaced with a prosthetic. If possible the surgeon will salvage the patients patella, but its not uncommon for a prosthetic patella to be used. Patients are typically up and walking the same or next day. The journey continues with a lengthy course of physical therapy.
However, some recipients are not so lucky in their recovery. There is possibility of infection immediately and several years after the implant is placed. The infection is indicated by an increase in pain, swelling and lack of mobility. These patients are usually in store for a knee replacement revision, which is a much more involved process and includes a rather large rod inserted into the femur.
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