Blood Clots: What To Do To Prevent Them
After surgery, you will want to be on the lookout for blood clots. Be sure to follow the instructions that your orthopedist will provide.
Be On the Lookout for These Signs
Here are the warning signs that you may have a blood clot in your leg:
Your foot, ankle and calf may swell.
You may feel calf pain.
You may see tenderness and redness around the knee.
You may suddenly experience chest pain.
Your chest pain may be accompanied by 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 Shoulder Surgery.
How to Prevent Infection
Infection following a total knee replacement surgery is sometimes caused by bacteria entering the bloodstream by various methods. Sometimes it is because of a skin infection. Other times, this may occur because of a urinary tract infection or even dental procedures. When this happens, the bacteria may become lodged in the area of your knee replacement. This can result in 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.
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 have chills and shaking.
You may experience tenderness, redness, and swelling around the knee replacement.
Your temperature may rise to above 100F and persist at this level.
There may be drainage from your knee wound.
Be sure to call your doctor if any of these signs occur.
Take Care to Avoid Falls
You could damage your new knee if you fall soon after your surgery. This could cause you to need follow-up surgery. For this reason, it is important to avoid stairs and use assistive devices such as a cane, walker or crutches. Failing this, be sure to have assistance from another person and use handrails any time they are available. Continue to be careful until you have regained your strength, flexibility and balance.
Double-check with your physical therapist or your surgeon before you make the decision to stop using your assistive devices. They can help you decide if it is really time to stop using them altogether or if you need a different type of device.
After surgery, you will want to be on the lookout for blood clots. Be sure to follow the instructions that your orthopedist will provide.
Be On the Lookout for These Signs
Here are the warning signs that you may have a blood clot in your leg:
Your foot, ankle and calf may swell.
You may feel calf pain.
You may see tenderness and redness around the knee.
You may suddenly experience chest pain.
Your chest pain may be accompanied by 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 Shoulder Surgery.
How to Prevent Infection
Infection following a total knee replacement surgery is sometimes caused by bacteria entering the bloodstream by various methods. Sometimes it is because of a skin infection. Other times, this may occur because of a urinary tract infection or even dental procedures. When this happens, the bacteria may become lodged in the area of your knee replacement. This can result in 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.
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 have chills and shaking.
You may experience tenderness, redness, and swelling around the knee replacement.
Your temperature may rise to above 100F and persist at this level.
There may be drainage from your knee wound.
Be sure to call your doctor if any of these signs occur.
Take Care to Avoid Falls
You could damage your new knee if you fall soon after your surgery. This could cause you to need follow-up surgery. For this reason, it is important to avoid stairs and use assistive devices such as a cane, walker or crutches. Failing this, be sure to have assistance from another person and use handrails any time they are available. Continue to be careful until you have regained your strength, flexibility and balance.
Double-check with your physical therapist or your surgeon before you make the decision to stop using your assistive devices. They can help you decide if it is really time to stop using them altogether or if you need a different type of device.
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, Oregon ACL Surgery and Oregon Athletic Injuries.
No comments:
Post a Comment