I have to have my knee replaced, but I don’t want to have to have another surgery a few years later. I’ve heard that sometimes the implants break or don’t work. That shouldn’t happen, should it?

Facing the prospect of knee replacement surgery can be frightening and concerning. Few people look forward to such an experience. However, if your knee has gotten to the point that your doctor is recommending surgery, there are other issues to take into account if you do not have the surgery.

For example, if your mobility is limited, you will be moving around less and less, not getting the exercise your body needs to stay healthy. Pain, which is likely an issue, can keep you from enjoying life, as well as taking care of every day tasks.

That all being said, not all surgeries are successful and, even if a surgery is successful, there are times when other issues make repeat surgeries necessary.

There are a few reasons why a knee replacement may have to be revised or redone. The most obvious reason is if the implant fails somehow. This could be through loosening of parts or a failure of the implant itself. If you receive a partial implant, this could mean having a new surgery to have a total implant inserted.

Sometimes, revision surgery is not from a fault in the implant, but in the progression of disease or disability that caused the need for the replacement to begin with.