Your knee is among the most critical body joints. It plays a vital role in allowing you to bend and move your leg effectively. The joint movement makes the knee vulnerable to many injuries at different parts of the knee. The injuries usually cause pain and swelling of the knee. If your treatment is not successful, your doctor may suggest surgery, including knee replacement. In rare cases, your surgery may fail, which may require revision surgery. If you encountered complications after your treatment for a knee injury, consider having knee revision surgery in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Gautam Siram, MD, is a highly experienced orthopedic surgeon and strives to enhance your knee health. Call his office today to schedule your consultation.
Here is why you may require knee revision surgery.
Dr. Siram conducts a knee revision surgery to correct and rectify a failed knee replacement procedure. Even though the knee replacement surgery is highly successful, your knee may have problems functioning properly. Therefore, he performs the surgery to help your knee be fully operational and healthy.
The 5 Reasons For Knee Revision Surgery
1. Infection
Infection is unlikely to occur after a knee replacement surgery, especially with the latest surgical techniques. However, plastic or metal implants may create a good surface for bacteria to grow. The characteristic locations are inaccessible to antibiotics creating a risk of more severe infections. The implant may become loose, and the condition may cause symptoms such as pain and swelling. Revision surgery is crucial to relieve the symptoms of the infection.
2. Instability
After the knee replacement surgery, the tissues surrounding the knee may not give the necessary support needed during the knee movement, such as standing and walking. Instability may be a result of the tissue looseness and misalignment of the prosthesis. The knee’s surrounding tissues stretch during surgery, making them inadequate to provide the support required. This insufficiency causes pain in the knee, affecting its function. When other treatments fail to relieve the symptoms, revision surgery may be necessary.
3. Fractures
You may require revision surgery if you experience a fracture around the knee implant during or after the knee replacement procedure. This type of fracture distorts the fixation of the implant, causing instability.
4. Loosening And Wear
Fixation allows the attachment of the implant to the bone using cement. However, some providers may choose to use non-cemented embedment.
After some time, friction can interfere with the fixation, causing small debris particles to collect around the knee. In your body’s attempt to fight the debris, the fixation bond may get damaged or even digest your bone. Hence the need for revision surgery.
5. Stiffness
In some cases, a knee replacement may inhibit your knee movement, among other functions, affecting your daily activities. It usually occurs due to the formation of excessive scar tissue around the knee, preventing motion. Knee manipulation may solve the issue, but when not successful, revision surgery may be appropriate.
Bottom Line On Knee Revision Surgeries
Dr. Siram performs a detailed and customized knee revision surgery to ensure your knees are fully functioning and healthy. Using advanced techniques, he develops a treatment plan to address the cause for the failure of the replacement procedure. For a consultation, call or book online to schedule your appointment.
