Revision Knee Replacement

Revision knee replacement surgery involves replacing part or all your previous knee prosthesis with a new prosthesis. Although total knee replacement surgery is successful, sometimes the procedure can fail due to various reasons and require a second revision surgery.

Disease Overview

The knee joints are lined by soft articular cartilage that cushion the joints and aid in smooth movement of the joint bones. Degeneration of the cartilage due to wear and tear leads to arthritis, which is characterized by severe pain.

Total Knee Replacement

During total knee replacement, the damaged cartilage and bone is removed from the knee joint and replaced with artificial components. Artificial knee joints are usually made of metal, ceramic or plastic and consist of the femoral component and the tibial component.

Indications

Revision knee replacement surgery may be advised to patients if they have one or more of the following conditions:

• Chronic progressive joint disease after partial knee replacement
• Increased pain in the affected knee
• Worn out prosthesis
• Knee instability
• Loosening of the prosthesis
• Infection in the prosthetic joint
• Weakening of bone around the knee replacement, a process known as osteolysis (bone loss)
• Stiffness in the knee
• Fracture

Surgical procedure

Revision knee replacement surgery may involve the replacement of one or all the components.

The surgery is performed under spinal or general anesthesia. Your surgeon makes an incision over the knee to expose the knee joint. The kneecap along with its ligament may be moved aside so that there is enough room to perform the operation. Then the old femoral component of the knee prosthesis is removed. The femur is prepared to receive the new component. In some cases, the damaged bone is removed and bone graft or a metal wedge may be used to make up for the lost bone.

Next the tibial component along with the old plastic liner is removed. The damaged bone is cut and the tibia is prepared to receive the new component. Like the femur, the lost bone is replaced either by a metal wedge or bone graft. Then, a new tibial component is secured to the end of the bone using bone cement. A new plastic liner will be placed on the top of the tibial component. If the patella (kneecap) has been damaged, your surgeon will resurface and attach a plastic component. The tibial and femoral components of the prosthesis are then brought together to form the new knee joint. Surgical drains are placed for the excess blood to drain out and the incision is closed.

Risks and complications

Like all surgical procedures, there may be certain risks and complications involved with revision knee replacement surgery. The possible complications after revision knee replacement include:

• Stiffness in the knee
• Infection
• Bleeding
• Formation of blood clots in the leg veins
• Injury to nerves or blood vessels
• Prosthesis failure
• Patella (kneecap) dislocation
• Ligament injuries

Postoperative care

Following revision knee replacement surgery. You can walk with crutches or a walker. A physical therapist will teach you specific exercises to strengthen your leg and restore range of motion to the knee. Your physical therapist will also provide you with a home exercise program to strengthen thigh and calf muscles.