Avoiding Problems After Knee Surgery
Blood Clots: What To Do To Prevent Them
To minimize the possibility of blood clots, you must follow your orthopedists instructions closely. Blood clots are a hazard during the first few weeks after surgery.
What to Watch For
If you have a blood clot in your leg, you may experience the following:
Foot, ankle, calf and general lower leg swelling.
Calf pain.
Swelling, redness, and tenderness of the knee.
You may suddenly experience chest pain.
Chest pain with coughing.
If your blood clot has traveled to your lung, you may experience:
A sudden feeling of shortness of breath.
If this happens, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Click here for more on Portland Knee Arthroscopy.
How to Prevent Infection
Your knee may become infected after your surgery. The reason for this is usually that bacteria has gotten into your blood somehow. Usually this will happen because of an infection of your skin or a urinary tract infection. It can also happen because you have had dental work. The bacteria generated by one of these conditions can travel and set itself up in your knee replacement. This causes infection.
You will be given a prescription for antibiotics after your surgery. It is very important that you take these as directed to avoid having an infection develop.
Knee Replacement Infection: What to Watch Out For
Your knee may hurt both when active and at rest.
You may shake and have chills.
You may experience tenderness, redness, and swelling around the knee replacement.
You may have a temperature of 100F or more that just won't go away.
There may be drainage from your knee wound.
Call your physician if you have any of these signs.
How to Avoid Falls
Be careful not to fall while you are recovering from your knee surgery. This could damage your knee replacement. Then you would have to have more surgery. To avoid this, be sure to keep off the stairs. Use your cane, walker, crutches, or whatever your surgeon has recommended. If you don't have these, be sure to have someone help you. Always use handrails whenever they are available. Keep on being very careful until you have completely recovered. This means you have your strength, balance, and flexibility back to normal.
Ask your surgeon or your physical therapist how long you will need to use an assistive device. Also, discuss which sort of device will be most appropriate for your recovery and level of activity. - 17273
To minimize the possibility of blood clots, you must follow your orthopedists instructions closely. Blood clots are a hazard during the first few weeks after surgery.
What to Watch For
If you have a blood clot in your leg, you may experience the following:
Foot, ankle, calf and general lower leg swelling.
Calf pain.
Swelling, redness, and tenderness of the knee.
You may suddenly experience chest pain.
Chest pain with coughing.
If your blood clot has traveled to your lung, you may experience:
A sudden feeling of shortness of breath.
If this happens, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Click here for more on Portland Knee Arthroscopy.
How to Prevent Infection
Your knee may become infected after your surgery. The reason for this is usually that bacteria has gotten into your blood somehow. Usually this will happen because of an infection of your skin or a urinary tract infection. It can also happen because you have had dental work. The bacteria generated by one of these conditions can travel and set itself up in your knee replacement. This causes infection.
You will be given a prescription for antibiotics after your surgery. It is very important that you take these as directed to avoid having an infection develop.
Knee Replacement Infection: What to Watch Out For
Your knee may hurt both when active and at rest.
You may shake and have chills.
You may experience tenderness, redness, and swelling around the knee replacement.
You may have a temperature of 100F or more that just won't go away.
There may be drainage from your knee wound.
Call your physician if you have any of these signs.
How to Avoid Falls
Be careful not to fall while you are recovering from your knee surgery. This could damage your knee replacement. Then you would have to have more surgery. To avoid this, be sure to keep off the stairs. Use your cane, walker, crutches, or whatever your surgeon has recommended. If you don't have these, be sure to have someone help you. Always use handrails whenever they are available. Keep on being very careful until you have completely recovered. This means you have your strength, balance, and flexibility back to normal.
Ask your surgeon or your physical therapist how long you will need to use an assistive device. Also, discuss which sort of device will be most appropriate for your recovery and level of activity. - 17273
About the Author:
Dr. Edelson is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon specializing in sports medicine. His clinic, Sports Medicine Oregon, focuses on athletes of all ages. Click here to learn more about Dr. Edelson, Portland ACL Surgery and Portland Athletic Injuries.
posted by X - Men at
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