knee replacement surgery?

Question

my wife had knee replacement surgery,now the artery behind the knee is blocked.the surgeon who done the op,said that was the first time that he knew of that happening.i am not convinced,can anybody help?

Answer 1

I've never heard of that either. Get a second opinion. Knee replacement surgery doesn't have the highest rate of success either and can be very painful. Hope she is ok!

Answer 2

Is it an artery or a vein?

If it is a vein, blood clots are not uncommon post-surgery. In fact, a woman was on Good Morning America today who formed a blood clot on the back of her knee in a vein after knee replacement surgery. They will usually give a course of blood thinners to break up the clot.

If it is an artery, that seems unusual. Although, granted, I'm not a surgeon. I would have her see a vascular surgeon to deal with the problem.

Answer 3

All surgeries have complications that can occur. How common this one is compared to others, who knows?
Also, arterial blockage in the lower extremities is not uncommon in older people, and these are usually the type of patients that have joint replacement surgeries also (not to make any assumptions about your wife's age).
It is possible that this may not be a causal relationship - that the surgery itself may not be the entire cause of the blockage. I agree with the consultation with the vascular surgeon. I would assume that if there really is some problem, or if she is having a problem, your surgeon would already be sending you to see a vascular surgeon.

Answer 4

Sorry to hear that. I hurt my knee skiing this year and was hoping to get it sorted so I am more then usually interested. I have had new hips so I know that blocked arteries are a problem with all major surgery and particularly legs and extremities. Other then that I know nothing but I am sure someone will answer who does

Answer 5

if your surgeon cannot help how do you expect any body on hear to.