Overview

Knee issues don’t just affect people of older age groups but can hamper the routine of younger age groups. The knee can be damaged due to arthritis or external knee injury. A knee injury can be healed with the help of total knee replacement. The surgical procedure involves the placement of a prosthesis of plastic or metal. These prostheses help in easy movement of the knee.

With the passing of time, wear and tear of the knee, or any damage to the prosthesis implanted, the doctors suggest a knee revision surgery. Knee revision surgery, or revision total knee replacement, is a procedure to replace a previously implanted artificial knee joint with a new one. This surgery becomes necessary when a primary total knee replacement has worn out, become loose, or developed complications over time. The goal of knee revision surgery is to address the issues with the original knee replacement, restore joint function, alleviate pain, and improve the patient's quality of life. It is more complex than the initial knee replacement and requires specialised surgical expertise.

Who needs Revision Knee Surgery?

Mentioned below are some of the knee conditions that help to identify the need for revision surgery:

- Infection- It is one of the most crucial causes of the re-operative procedure. If the prosthesis implanted during a total knee replacement gets damaged due to infection, then a re-operative surgery is done. If not treated on time, the infection may spread bacteria to the tissues surrounding the knee. It may worsen the situation. Hence, the infected implants are replaced with new ones to avoid the whole commotion.
- Recurrent instability- If the knee joint continues to be unstable after the primary replacement, revision surgery may be necessary to address the issue.
- Stiffness- Knee stiffness leading to excessive knee pain is also one of the causes of the surgery. A knee may feel stiff due to excessive scar tissue causing knee pain and restricting its movement.
- Persistent pain- Severe and persistent pain that cannot be alleviated with conservative treatments may warrant revision surgery.
- Implant failure- Mechanical failure of the knee replacement due to component breakage or malalignment may require revision.

How is a Revision Knee Surgery performed?

Arthroscopic knee surgery is generally less complicated than traditional knee replacement surgery. The surgery begins with a lengthening of the previous incision made for the past surgery. The new incision may be longer to remove the damaged prosthesis. The surgeon moves the tendons and bones aside to reach the knee joint easily. After reaching the joint, the surgeon checks the surrounding soft tissues to identify any possible damage.

After a complete analysis of the damaged section, the infections or damaged implants are replaced with new ones. The damaged part of the tissues is also removed to avoid spreading infection. A drain is also placed inside for collecting blood and liquid fluid flowing out during the surgery. The surgery is winded up by closing the incisions. The patient is kept under observation for a few hours after the surgery to keep track of the vitals.

Risks of a Revision Knee Surgery

Mentioned below are some of the risks that can be observed during a knee revision:

- Slow Wound Healing- Healing after the surgical procedure many times may be a time-consuming process. Hence, the individual may be unable to move the knee or the lower body comfortably. Slower healing of the wound is one of the risk factors that can be observed after the knee revision.
- Stiffness- A patient who has undergone a knee revision may face stiffness or swelling in the knee. It hampers the knee movement and restricts the patient from performing routine activities. The stiffness is also accompanied by pain if not treated correctly. Hence, it is also one of the risk factors observed after knee surgery.

Post-Surgery Care Guidelines

- Medicines- A doctor prescribes medicines such as NSAIDs or other painkillers to consume after the surgery. They help to lower the pain that may be experienced post-surgery. The medication should be taken on time as prescribed by the doctor.
- Physical Therapy- It is important to move the knee slowly and steadily to avoid jamming the operated part of the body. The doctor may suggest light and easy-to-perform physical activities for the knee. Such exercises should be performed with care and as the medical expert suggests.
- Clot Prevention- Clots are one of the biggest risk factors after surgery. To avoid them, a doctor may suggest using blood thinners, inflatable leg coverings, compression stockings, and other similar products. These help lower the swelling and decrease the possibility of blood clots.

When to Consult a Doctor

You can also get in touch with the expert Ortho doctors at Narayana Healthcare based in your city to get immediate attention and medical support during injuries, health disorders or any other health concern.

Conclusion

Revision Knee Surgery helps remove infections and damaged implants during total knee repair surgery. The revision requires utmost care and precision for successful results. The surgery should be followed by proper post-operative care for quick recovery and successful results.

FAQs

Q. What is Knee Revision Surgery? A. It is an operative method to replace the damaged and infectious implants placed during past knee surgery.

Q. Who needs Knee Revision Surgery? A. Knee surgery may be required by people suffering from infection, instability, or stiffness.

Q. How is knee revision surgery different from the initial knee replacement? A. Knee revision surgery is more complex and challenging than the primary procedure, as it involves removing existing implants and addressing bone loss or other complications.

Q. What is the recovery period after knee revision surgery? A. Recovery varies, but patients may need several weeks of physical therapy and rehabilitation to regain strength, mobility, and function in the knee.

Q. Are there risks associated with knee revision surgery? A. Like any surgery, knee revision surgery carries risks, including infection, blood clots, nerve injury, and the potential need for additional surgeries. A qualified surgeon can discuss these risks.

Reference Links

- https://www.narayanahealth.org/blog/knee-arthroscopy-procedure-risks-post-surgery-care/
- https://www.hss.edu/condition-list_knee-revision.asp
- https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/revision-total-knee-replacement/