Revision Knee Replacement Surgery in Seattle, WA
A knee revision replacement is a type of surgery that is done after the knee has already been replaced by a primary surgery.
This complex procedure is not often necessary, as many knee replacement surgeries are very successful. However, there are instances in which the knee joint becomes unstable, either due to continued natural wear and tear, or from a complication of the original knee replacement surgery.
The Advantage
There are three main reasons as to why a Dr. Williams would recommend a patient for a revision knee replacement:
- To improve the patient’s mobility
- To relieve the patient’s pain felt within the joint
- To remove a loose or damaged prosthesis that was inserted during the primary knee surgery, but is now threatening serious harm to the patient and their joint health
Types of Knee Revision Surgery
Each total knee replacement consists of three different components of the knee:
- Femoral prosthesis
- Tibial prosthesis
- Patellar prosthesis
Given these multiple pieces, there can be a number of problems that arise with one or even all of these prosthetic components used to replace the patient’s knee. Some cases can consist of a single component replacement, while others may entail a rebuild of the knee using a bone graft and metal implants.
Most often, a revision knee replacement will lead to replacing current components with longer, thicker pieces that fit deeper inside the surrounding bone to maintain stability of the joint.
Ideal Candidates for Revision Replacement Surgery
Revision knee replacement is particularly advised in situations involving:
- Infection of the surgical site
- Stiffness, typically caused by excessive scar tissue that has developed around the knee joint
- A periprosthetic fracture
- Instability of the knee joint
All of these possible scenarios are risks that each and every patient undergoing a knee replacement faces. Even though revision knee replacement surgery is not something that the patient or Dr. Williams ever plans for, it can certainly be a great way to improve the patient’s current discomfort and to help them achieve a positive long-term outcome.
