Local vascular complications after knee replacement: a review with illustrative case reports.

The incidence of vascular complications after knee replacement is between 0.03% and 0.2%. These complications include acute ischaemia, thrombosis, haemorrhage, fistula and aneurysm formation. Vascular complications can be avoided by careful pre-operative selection. If doubt exists, a vascular opinion should be obtained before knee replacement. In the event of a vascular complication occurring, serious morbidity can be avoided by prompt diagnosis, investigation and specialist treatment.