Knee replacement is a pretty thorough procedure in that part or all of your knee joint will be replaced with artificial materials, but it still has very high success rates. However, like with any surgery, it doesn’t go perfectly every single time. If you’re one of the rare cases where your knee replacement doesn’t go as planned, or you experience wear and tear on the new knee over the years, you may need what’s known as a revisional operation.
Dr. Botero and his team have performed numerous revisional operations for patients who have not been satisfied with the knee replacement they received with another surgeon. Below, we take a closer look at some of the reasons why you might need a secondary operation on your knee, and what Dr. Botero would do during the revisional procedure.
Needing A Second Knee Replacement Surgery
Although knee replacement has a very high rate of success, especially when using the less invasive style of operation that Dr. Botero uses, the sheer amount of replacement operations performed each year means that even if only a small percentage need a revision, countless patients will still need a second operation. Your surgeon may recommend a revisional operation for reasons such as:
- Implant loosening
- Significant wear and tear
- Infection
- Knee joint instability
- Joint stiffness or inhibited range of motion
- Fractures around the joint
You may need a revisional operation a few weeks down the road or a couple years later, depending on what issue you’re dealing with. If you’ve been told that your first surgery didn’t go as planned, or something doesn’t feel right in your new knee and you want a doctor to take a closer look, reach out to Dr. Botero’s office for a fresh opinion on your situation.
Revisional Knee Surgery Procedure
Before Dr. Botero will perform the revisional operation, he’ll perform a couple of important steps. He’ll conduct a physical evaluation and take some imaging tests of the knee to determine exactly what’s causing dysfunction and how to best treat the problem with a corrective surgery. Lab tests may also be ordered in the event that an infection is the root problem.
Once your surgeon has determined the best path forward, they will walk you through expectations and procedure goals. Although the specifics of your operation may vary, it will be pretty similar to your initial operation. You will be given anesthesia and will not be in pain during the operation. Dr. Botero will then make a few incisions in order to access the knee joint and address the problemed area. Because a revisional operation is typically more complex than a standard replacement, surgery may take a little longer than your primary operation. Dr. Botero will test the joint to ensure expected range of motion has been achieved before disinfecting the area and closing the incision site.
Following the operation, you will be discharged to a recovery room and eventually will be prepped on rehab guidelines and post-op management expectations. If you follow these guidelines and commit to your rehab, we’re confident that you will have a great outcome following your revisional operation. For more information or to talk to Dr. Botero about knee replacement or revision, contact his office today.
