You had knee replacement surgery, hoping for lasting relief, and for years, it worked well, restoring your mobility. But lately, something feels off. You might wonder if what you’re feeling is normal aging or a sign that your knee replacement is failing.
Some aches and mild stiffness can come with age, but a failing implant has its own warning signs. Ignoring them can lead to bone loss and make future treatment more complex.
In this blog, we’ll discuss 5 key signs that indicate a knee replacement has failed, and when these signs are not just a normal part of aging.
5 Signs of a Failed Knee Replacement
The following signs indicate that your discomfort might be more than just aging and could point to a need for revision knee replacement surgery.
- Your Knee Pain Has Returned and Is Getting Worse
Remember the relief you felt after your first surgery? The pain had left. This isn’t the general stiffness of an aging joint. This is often a sharp or constant ache that gets worse when you put weight on your leg and may not fully go away when you rest.New or worsening pain deserves evaluation. Causes include loosening or wear, instability, infection, or even problems outside the knee. A surgeon can sort this out with an exam, X-rays, and selective tests. This returning pain is one of the most common reasons people see a specialist about a revision. - Your Knee Feels Unstable or Gives Way
Your knee should feel stable and reliable after a successful replacement. If you start to feel like your knee is “buckling” or “giving out” from under you during everyday activities like walking or going down stairs, it’s a cause for concern. Feeling that the knee “gives way” can result from implant loosening or wear, but it can also be from ligament laxity or component position. All are fixable—get checked. - You Notice Significant Swelling That Doesn’t Settle
A little swelling after unusual activity can happen. But consistent, noticeable swelling around your knee that doesn’t get better with rest and ice is a red flag. This kind of swelling can be a sign of inflammation caused by tiny particles of wear from the implant, the body reacting to a loose component, etc. Seek urgent care if you also have calf pain, sudden leg swelling, warmth/redness, fevers, chills, or wound drainage—these can be signs of a blood clot or infection. - You Hear or Feel a Grinding, Clicking, or Popping
Some painless clicking in a joint is normal. However, loud grinding (crepitus), clunking, or painful popping sounds are not. These noises can mean that the plastic spacer between the metal implants has worn out, allowing metal to rub on metal, or that a part of the implant has come loose.Painful clunks, catching, or grinding deserve a check—causes include wear, loosening, soft-tissue impingement (‘patellar clunk’), or tracking issues. Severe wear with metal-on-metal contact is uncommon, though. - Your Leg Looks Different, or You Feel a Loss of Motion
Changes in the alignment of your leg can indicate the implant has shifted. You might also find that you can’t bend or straighten your knee as well as you used to, making simple tasks like putting on shoes difficult.
What Should You Do Next?
If you recognize any of these signs, the most important thing to do is talk to an orthopedic specialist. They can perform specific exams and take X-rays to see what is happening with your implant.
When a knee replacement fails, a second surgery, known as revision knee replacement surgery, becomes an option to replace the original implant. This procedure is more complex, which is why choosing a surgeon with advanced expertise matters. Stiffness or loss of motion can stem from scar tissue or implant issues—worth an evaluation either way.
To achieve the best possible alignment and positioning of the new implant, surgeons now use advanced technology like computer navigation. This technology acts as a precise GPS for the surgeon during the operation.
This high level of precision helps place the new joint in the optimal position, which can reduce the risk of complications and may help the new joint last longer.
Everything Considered
If you’re experiencing symptoms that may point to a joint replacement, you can learn more about my expertise by watching my video interview — “Joint Replacement: Ugo Ihekweazu, MD.” In this discussion, I share insights into my experience with joint replacement surgery, including complex procedures and revision cases. Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQOgJBLF9a4.