Candidates for total knee replacement
 The
ideal patient is over sixty years of age. Most are between 60
and 80 years of age. Younger patients tend to be more active leading to
premature loosening and wear of the replacement. Young age is a
contraindication to total knee replacement.
Extreme osteoporosis (softening of the bone) is also a relative
contraindication to total knee replacement. In patients with a significant
history of past infection in their knee, total knee replacement may be
contraindicated because of the risk of reactivating the infection. A
patient with recurrent urinary tract infection secondary to chronic kidney
stones, urethral stricture, or other genitourinary problems should have
urologic evaluation prior to total knee replacement. Dental abscesses are
also a contraindication to Knee Replacement.
Precautions
Special precautions against infection are taken before, during and after
surgery. Antibiotics are used perioperatively. A special surgical room and
techniques for a sterile environment are used during surgery. Although the
risk is very low, the occurrence of infection can be catastrophic and may
require the removal of the prosthesis. To minimize the risk, prophylactic
antibiotics are given any time dental manipulation, urinary tract surgery
or instrumentation or significant bowel procedures are performed. Any skin
infection should also be treated with antibiotics as well, since late
prosthetic implant infection may be related to skin infection.
Hospitalization
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