Vascular Complications After Total Knee Arthroplasty—A Single Institutional Experience

Vascular complications during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are uncommon but potentially devastating. We evaluated cases of vascular complication during TKA in our high-volume, community hospital system.

Patients were identified by cross-referencing billing codes for TKA with diagnosis codes for vascular complication during the same hospital stay between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2014. Clinical and radiographic data, time to diagnosis, intervention, and outcomes were collected.

We identified 13 vascular complications in 9951 TKAs (0.13%). Average age was 66.2 years (95% CI: 5.55; range: 54.1-87.9), 12 (92.3%) were female, average body mass index was 32.3 (5.17; 20-50), and average Charlson Comorbidity Index was 4.08 (1.03; 2-7). Black females (relative risk = 18.33, 95% CI: 6.20-54.22) were at particularly high risk. Preoperatively, 6 knees exhibited varus coronal malalignment and 2 valgus malalignment (only 1 >15°). None had flexion contracture >10°. Four knees exhibited vascular calcifications on preoperative radiographs. Twelve were diagnosed and treated the same day as index TKA and 1 on postoperative day 2. All underwent interventions: 9 stents, 2 endarterectomies, 1 thrombectomy, and 1 bypass. One patient sustained a peroneal nerve injury; 3 had persistent stiffness postoperatively that improved after manipulation. There were no revision surgeries, further vascular intervention, compartment syndrome, periprosthetic joint infection, amputation, or mortality.

Incidence of vascular complications at our community-based hospital system is in line with previous reports. Black race and female gender were significant risk factors. Although outcomes were remarkable for a high rate of stiffness and one peroneal neuropathy, the devastating complications of amputation, compartment syndrome, periprosthetic joint infection, or early mortality were not observed.