Total knee replacement often provides significant pain relief and restores mobility in patients with severely damaged joints. Thanks to this intervention, millions of people experience significant improvement in their quality of life.

However, like any medical implant, knee replacements can sometimes fail. At OrthoPro Clinic, we believe in empowering our patients with knowledge about their joint health, including understanding the potential for knee replacement failure and how to recognise it.

This in-depth resource outlines the critical factors that may contribute to the failure of knee replacement surgery.

We’ll outline the early warning signs that may indicate implant issues and share practical tips to help protect your knee replacement and extend its lifespan.

Why do knee replacements fail?

Common causes

While modern knee replacements are designed to last many years, several factors can contribute to their eventual failure. Understanding these causes is the first step in recognising potential problems.

• Wear and tear: Over time, the knee implant’s plastic components (polyethylene) can wear out due to everyday use. This wear debris can cause inflammation and loosening of the implant.
• Loosening: The bond between the implant and the bone may deteriorate over time, causing the implant to loosen. This can cause pain and instability. Loosening can be due to wear debris, infection, or inadequate initial fixation.
• Infection: Infection around the knee replacement is a serious complication that can lead to failure. Post-surgical infections can present either in the short term or long after the knee replacement.
• Instability: If the ligaments around the knee are too loose or the implant is not balanced correctly, the knee can feel unstable or give way.
• Fracture: A fracture around the knee replacement (either in the femur or tibia) can necessitate revision surgery.
• Stiffness: While some stiffness is expected after surgery, excessive or progressive stiffness can indicate a problem with the implant or surrounding tissues.

Recognising the warning signs: Knee replacement implant failure

Early detection of Knee replacement implant failure is crucial for timely intervention and better outcomes. Be aware of these potential warning signs:

• Increased pain: While some pain is normal after surgery, a significant increase in pain, especially if it returns after initial improvement, could indicate a problem.
• Swelling: Persistent or worsening swelling around the knee joint.
• Stiffness: A gradual increase in stiffness or trouble fully bending and straightening the knee.
• Instability: A sense that the knee can’t support your weight and may suddenly give way.
• Clicking, popping, or grinding: New or worsening noises from the knee joint.
• Decreased range of motion: Difficulty achieving the same level of bending or straightening.
• Warmth and redness: These signs, especially when accompanied by pain and swelling, could indicate an infection.
• Limping: A new or worsening limp.
• Change in gait: Noticeable alterations in your walking pattern.
• If you experience any of these symptoms, it is essential to contact OrthoPro Clinic for an evaluation.

Proactive steps: Prevention tips for knee replacement longevity

While some causes of knee replacement failure are unavoidable, there are steps you can take to prolong the life of your implant potentially:

• Follow post-operative instructions: Adhere strictly to your surgeon’s and physical therapist’s recommendations regarding activity levels and rehabilitation exercises.
• Maintain a healthy weight: Excess weight adds stress to your new knee joint, potentially accelerating wear and tear.
• Engage in low-impact activities: Choose activities like walking, swimming, and cycling over high-impact sports that can put excessive stress on the implant.
• Avoid falls: Preventing falls is crucial, as fractures near the implant can cause it to fail.
• Manage underlying health conditions: Conditions like diabetes can increase the risk of infection. Effectively managing these conditions is crucial.
• Attend regular follow-up appointments: These appointments allow your surgeon to monitor the health of your knee replacement and identify any potential issues early.
• Be aware of infection signs: Promptly report any signs of infection (increased pain, redness, warmth, drainage) to your doctor.

Our commitment at OrthoPro Clinic

At OrthoPro Clinic, our goal is to ensure the long-term success of your knee replacement. We provide comprehensive pre-operative education, meticulous surgical techniques, and thorough post-operative care. We are also here to help if you experience any signs of Knee Replacement Failure.

Our experienced team will evaluate the cause of the failure and discuss revision procedures designed to bring back mobility and minimise your discomfort.

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms listed above or have concerns about your knee replacement, we encourage you to reach out to us.

Your joint health is our priority.