Avoiding Problems After Knee Surgery
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.
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.
You may feel calf pain.
Swelling, redness, and tenderness of the knee.
You may suddenly experience chest pain.
Chest pain with coughing.
A blood clot that has traveled to your lung may cause the following:
You may suddenly feel short of breath.
You should call your physician right away if any of these signs develop.
Click here for more on Portland Knee Arthroscopy.
Infection Prevention
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.
After you have had your knee replaced, it is important that you take antibiotics on a preventative basis whenever you have surgical or dental procedures as these may let bacteria into your bloodstream.
Watch out for these signs of knee replacement infection:
Your knee may hurt, even if you are resting.
You may shake and have chills.
Your knee wound may swell and become red and tender.
You may have a temperature of 100F or more that just won't go away.
There may be drainage from your knee wound.
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.
Your physical therapist and your surgeon will assist you in determining which assistive devices will work best for you. They will also help you decide when it is time to stop using an assistive device. - 23211
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.
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.
You may feel calf pain.
Swelling, redness, and tenderness of the knee.
You may suddenly experience chest pain.
Chest pain with coughing.
A blood clot that has traveled to your lung may cause the following:
You may suddenly feel short of breath.
You should call your physician right away if any of these signs develop.
Click here for more on Portland Knee Arthroscopy.
Infection Prevention
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.
After you have had your knee replaced, it is important that you take antibiotics on a preventative basis whenever you have surgical or dental procedures as these may let bacteria into your bloodstream.
Watch out for these signs of knee replacement infection:
Your knee may hurt, even if you are resting.
You may shake and have chills.
Your knee wound may swell and become red and tender.
You may have a temperature of 100F or more that just won't go away.
There may be drainage from your knee wound.
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.
Your physical therapist and your surgeon will assist you in determining which assistive devices will work best for you. They will also help you decide when it is time to stop using an assistive device. - 23211
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, ACL Reconstruction in Portland and Sports Injuries in Portland.
posted by X - Men @ 1:14 AM
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