Many different outcome indicators can be used alone or in combination to measure the success of treatment and the risks associated with it. The appropriate indicators to use depend on the treatment or procedure being done. For joint replacement and revision, the measures that give the best indication of risks and how well patients do after surgery are explained here. The degree of improvement in patients' pain and in their ability to perform normal activities can be used as an outcome measure in joint replacement and revision surgery. If patients are free from pain and can perform their normal and desired activities better after the surgery than before, they have gained improvement in their ability to function and in their quality of life.
Any operation requiring general anesthesia always carries a risk of death.
The risks associated with anesthesia increase with age and with the presence of other medical problems such as heart disease. A thorough evaluation before an operation to identify other medical problems and the appropriate treatment to control them reduces the risks associated with joint replacement or revision surgery. Infection Rates Infection is an uncommon complication of joint replacement or revision surgery. When it does happen, however, it can have serious consequences. The best treatment for infection is prevention.