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
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.
You may see tenderness and redness around the knee.
Chest pain without warning.
Chest pain with coughing.
If your blood clot has traveled to your lung, you may experience:
You may suddenly feel short of breath.
You should call your physician right away if any of these signs develop.
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How to Prevent Infection
Following total knee replacement surgery, you may have a tendency to get an infection at the site of the surgery. The reason for this is that bacteria may get into your blood because of some other condition. Some examples are dental procedures, urinary tract infections, or infections of the skin. When this happens, bacteria may travel to the site of your surgery and cause infection around the knee replacement.
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 feel painful both when you are active and when you are resting.
You may experience shaking and 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.
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.