Knee Surgery: How to Avoid Follow-up Problems
Blood Clots: What To Do To Prevent Them
Blood clots are a real hazard following surgery. Your orthopedist will give you complete instructions on how to avoid blood clots. You must follow these instructions closely.
Be On the Lookout for These Signs
Here are the warning signs that you may have a blood clot in your leg:
Swelling the lower leg, specifically the foot, calf and ankle.
Your calf may hurt.
You may see tenderness and redness around the knee.
Your chest may suddenly hurt.
Your chest pain may be accompanied by coughing.
A blood clot that has traveled to your lung may cause the following:
You may suddenly feel short of breath.
If this happens, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Click here for more on Portland Shoulder Surgery.
Infection Prevention
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.
Your surgeon will give you a prescription for antibiotics to take after your surgery. You should take these exactly as your doctor orders. This will prevent infection setting up in your knee replacement.
If you do have a knee replacement infection, you will see these warning signs:
Your knee may feel painful both when you are active and when you are resting.
You may shake and have chills.
Your knee wound may swell and become red and tender.
Your temperature may rise to above 100F and persist at this level.
Your knee wound may drain.
If any of these signs happen, call your doctor immediately.
Take Care 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
Blood clots are a real hazard following surgery. Your orthopedist will give you complete instructions on how to avoid blood clots. You must follow these instructions closely.
Be On the Lookout for These Signs
Here are the warning signs that you may have a blood clot in your leg:
Swelling the lower leg, specifically the foot, calf and ankle.
Your calf may hurt.
You may see tenderness and redness around the knee.
Your chest may suddenly hurt.
Your chest pain may be accompanied by coughing.
A blood clot that has traveled to your lung may cause the following:
You may suddenly feel short of breath.
If this happens, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Click here for more on Portland Shoulder Surgery.
Infection Prevention
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.
Your surgeon will give you a prescription for antibiotics to take after your surgery. You should take these exactly as your doctor orders. This will prevent infection setting up in your knee replacement.
If you do have a knee replacement infection, you will see these warning signs:
Your knee may feel painful both when you are active and when you are resting.
You may shake and have chills.
Your knee wound may swell and become red and tender.
Your temperature may rise to above 100F and persist at this level.
Your knee wound may drain.
If any of these signs happen, call your doctor immediately.
Take Care 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, Vancouver ACL Surgery and Vancouver Athletic Injuries.
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