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Potential Complications of Knee Surgery < Back to Patient Information Please be aware that arthroscopic surgery is one of the safest orthopaedic procedures done in the world today. Yet rare potential complications can occur. Please ask me if you have any questions regarding the potential of any complication. 1. Post-operative Infection - The likelihood of a post-operative infection is thought to be less than 1% (incidence in 1 in 250-1000 cases). If you develop an infection within the knee joint a repeat surgical intervention will most likely be indicated. Superficial infections are usually treated with oral antibiotics. 2. Circulation Problem - Injury to a major artery or nerve rarely occurs. However, if this was to happen immediate surgical vascular repair would be indicated. The development of blood clots after arthroscopic surgery can occur. If a blood clot was to occur treatment would be medical. A pulmonary embolus is a very rare complication after arthroscopic surgery. It can result in serious consequences including death. 3. Nerve Injury - Complete disruption of a major nerve very rarely occurs. This rare complication can arise when performing a meniscal repair or ligament reconstruction of the knee. It can result in permanent motor or sensory loss. Neurovascular compromise can also occur if massive swelling of the legs develop (compartment syndrome). Numbness of the foot can occur because of the use of a tourniquet. These symptoms almost always resolve within 24-48 hours. 4. Post-operative Swelling - An accumulation of blood or fluid can occur post-operatively which may necessitate an aspiration (removal of fluid) from the knee and/or a cortisone injection. A fistula rarely occurs when the skin incompletely heals and fluid leaks out from the joint. 5. Regional Pain Syndrome - Pain out of proportion to what one would expect after surgery is a rare occurrence. One theory explaining the etiology of this syndrome is that the mechanism involved to block out pain is altered. Treatment usually involves physical therapy, oral medications and spinal blocks. 6. Avascular Necrosis - The loss of blood supply to the bone can occur after arthroscopic surgery. If pain develops, the treatment is non-weight bearing with crutches and possible additional surgery. 7. Equipment Failure - While performing surgery instruments can rarely break or mal-function which could lead to a sub-optimal result. 8. Patellar Fracture - Fractures can occur during or after ACL reconstruction. Some fractures may require additional surgery and the inability to complete the procedure.
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