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Knee Joint Replacement Causes

Both chronic osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis commonly cause people to lose knee function to the degree that they need a knee joint replacement (total knee arthroplasty or TKA). But knee damage may also stem from injury or infection. Generally, people require a TKA a decade earlier due to rheumatoid arthritis as opposed to osteoarthritis.

• The most common problems with a knee joint replacement
  
  
  • Fractures (breaks) of the new knee after a fall or other accident
    
    
  • Pain from slippage and wear in the new joint
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• Other less common problems
  
  
  • Infection of the joint
    
    
  • Dislocation, either complete or partial, of the new knee
    
    
  • A blood clot in a vein ( deep vein thrombosis) above or below the knee (Clots occur most commonly shortly after replacement surgery.)