Revision arthroplasty

Why do some knee replacements fail?

The common reasons for a failed knee replacement include -

loosening, usually from degradation of the cement and/or wear of the plastic component. Bits of plastic may further lead to an immune response and lysis (dissolving away) of bone
infection
stiffness from arthrofibrosis
instability
bone breaks

Several discussions about the various kinds of knee replacement and their issues.

A discussion of the issues involved in revising a knee replacement that has resulted in stiffness.

Article about the place of revision arthroplasty after failure of primary arthroplasty due to arthrofibrosis.

A discussion of those triggers that may lead to a stiff knee after knee replacement.

Interpretation of a journal article about continuing pain after knee replacement.

An 'interpretation' of an article from 2007 discussing problem that interfere with joint function after knee replacement.

Improved clinical outcomes after revision arthroplasty with a hinged implant for severely stiff total knee arthroplasty. van Rensch PJH, Heesterbeek PJC, Hannink G, van Hellemondt GG, Wymenga AB. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2018 Oct 26. doi: 10.1007/s00167-018-5235-5. [Epub ahead of print].

Have the Causes of Revision for Total and Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasties Changed During the Past Two Decades? Dyrhovden GS, Lygre SHL, Badawy M, Gøthesen Ø and Furnes O. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2017 Jul; 475(7): 1874–1886.