Infection

For all types of surgery it is important to avoid infection and bacteria getting into the operating theatre.

During operations where artificial joints are implanted, it is important to pay particular attention to this because it can be very difficult to treat these infections. This is because artificial joints are foreign objects in which bacteria can hide under a kind of protective film, which results in penicillin and other antibiotics not being effective.

Infection after implantation of artificial knee or hip joints should occur in a maximum of 1 in 100 or 1% of operations.

If you are unfortunate to get an infection after surgery, it will usually require that another operation is carried out, where the knee is cleaned and rinsed. Afterwards, one has to have penicillin or another type of antibiotic for at least 6 weeks.