Complications following total knee replacement.
Forty-two months follow-up examinations on 30 total knee arthroplasties revealed the following significant complications: phlebothrombosis, 13 knees (46%); pulmonary embolism 3 patients (11%); asymptomatic loosening, 8 knees (11.4%); symptomatic loosening, 3 knees (4.8%); superficial infections, 4 knees (5.4%); deep infections, 4 knees (5.4%); peroneal palsy, 3 patients (4.3%). Early detection of thrombophlebitis by 125I fibrinogen scan and possible aspirin prophylaxis were evaluated. In view of the limited number of encouraging results, e.g. excellent 58.6 per cent; good 28.5 per cent; fair 5.4 per cent and poor 7.1 per cent, caution is advocated until extensive time elapses for more clinical experience with total knee arthroplasty.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D007595:Joint Prosthesis; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000209:etiology*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology*; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000209:etiology*
D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D005340:Fibrinogen; D001241:Aspirin