Table 1.

Potential complications of surgery for total knee replacement

Complications	Immediate	Early	Late
Local	Haemorrhage or haematoma; nerve injury (“tourniquet palsy,” common peroneal nerve injury); vascular injury, limb ischaemia	Wound infection; wound breakdown; stiffness	Deep seated infection with or without loosening; early aseptic loosening
General	Anaesthetic complications (for example, myocardial infarction, stroke); nerve injury (spinal anaesthesia, nerve blocks)	Anaemia; deep vein thrombosis; pulmonary embolism; chest infection	Post phlebitic leg