Loosening/ infection knee arthroplasty

Signs & symptoms

• Red, hot swollen joint/ wound
• Feeling systemically unwell
• Leaking pus/ fluid from wound
• Signs of sepsis post operatively
• Chronic infection- persistent pain/ sometimes leading to loosening of arthroplasty
• Fatigue
• New onset of knee pain/ stiffness in arthroplasty
• Feeling of giving way/ instability

Risk factors

• Knee replacement surgery
• Loosening- 5 in 100
• Immunosuppressed
• DM/ COPD/ RA/ Alcoholism/ IVDA
• Prolonged surgery time
• 10-15 years post-op.

Refer to Orthopaedics on call/ refer urgently to Orthopaedics depending on severity.