Infection after having your knee replaced is always a possibility. Though the percentages are small between 1-3 percent, great care is taken to prevent such an episode prior to your surgery. From the time you get your pre-surgical check up to the time you leave the hospital, there are a series of precautions that are followed to prevent this problem from happening.
Prior to your surgery all of us will should be given a pre-operative physical to make sure your body is strong enough to go through the rigors of surgery and ultimate recovery. The standard tests such as cardiac strength and efficiency are measured along with a blood test to make sure the blood is free from any markers that may impede your recovery or put you at risk for infection.
The surgical suite where the surgery will take place of course will be sanitized along with the surgeon wearing the proper attire for joint replacement surgery. If you have seen photos for instance of a joint replacement surgery, it look as if the surgeon is wearing a space suit. This allows for a complete germ free environment.
The surgical technique is a very important factor in the post-operative rates of infection. Most orthopedic surgeons that have multiple joint replacement experience under their belt and understand the importance of avoiding prolonged operating times. The longer your joint replacement is exposed the better the chance for post-operative infection. Most surgeons however can knock out a knee replacement anywhere from 55 minutes to and hour and a half.
Always inquire about the surgeons experience and the number of replacements he or she has done. The more they have completed the more efficient they have become.
Infection rates overall are very low. There are many other areas during your hospital stay that are regulated and infection proof policies followed to hopefully prevent germ exposure.
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