Knee Surgery Problems
Knee surgery is an increasingly common procedure. According to The National Joint Registry, approximately 80,000 knee replacements take place in England and Wales each year. Knee surgery is generally safe with few people experiencing complications. However, when complications do occur, they can be serious.
All surgery carries risks of some degree whether relating to the impact of the anaesthetic or the strain the surgery puts on the body, but some problems are more specific to knee surgery.
Damage during an operation
Knee surgery can be complex and occasionally accidental damage can occur. A nearby artery or ligament or nerve may be damaged during the course of the operation. Such an injury needs to be spotted at the time and repaired, either at the time or with subsequent surgery.
A knee infection
An infection in the wound can be a serious complication of knee surgery. If this occurs, it may mean that the replacement knee has to be removed in order for the area to be washed out to try to remove the infection. A new knee would be implanted at a later date once the infection has gone. This in itself can compromise the overall successful outcome from the operation as repeat operations are likely to be less successful.
Occasionally, a serious infection of a knee can mean that a successful knee replacement is not possible at all. It may even lead to the need for an amputation.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Blood clots are a known risk of extended hospital stays when a patient remains immobile for a period of time. An operation such as a knee replacement can be especially likely to cause blood clots to form in the legs.
If the blood clot remains in the leg, it may not be a serious problem. However, if a blood clot travels from the leg to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism, it can be fatal.
Failure of surgery
It is possible that the surgery may subsequently fail. The new knee may become dislocated, excessive scar tissue may build up reducing movement and further surgery may be necessary.
Medical Negligence
Major surgery comes with risks and the patient should have been made aware of those risks and consented to the procedure before it took place.
However, if a medical practitioner has been negligent in their handling of the operation or failed to notice a problem either during or following the operation, they may be considered to have acted negligently. If the patient suffers as a result of that negligence, they may be entitled to compensation.
Speak to a solicitor
If you believe you have been the victim of medical negligence, contact Glynns Solicitors to discuss your case with a skilled, experienced medical negligence solicitor.
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