While most knee replacements will function well for years, patients should be aware of the signs of failure-including increased pain or decreased function-that may require a corrective procedure known as revision total knee replacement, if necessary.
"A failed knee implant is usually caused by wear and tear with subsequent loosening of the implant. Other causes are infection, instability, fracture, or stiffness," says Dr. Amar Ranawat, a hip and knee specialist in the Adult Reconstruction and Joint Replacement Division of Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City.
Each year, more than 300 patients elect to receive revision knee surgery at Hospital for Special Surgery, despite the fact that their original surgery was performed elsewhere.
The most common symptoms of a failed knee implant are pain, instability, swelling and stiffness across the entire knee (generalized) or in a small section (localized).
Although knee replacements normally perform well for at least 15-20 years in more than 95 percent of patients, Dr. Ranawat says there are five primary reasons why a knee implant fails:
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