Knee Surgery: How to Avoid Follow-up Problems
Preventing Blood Clots
After surgery, you will want to be on the lookout for blood clots. Be sure to follow the instructions that your orthopedist will provide.
Here Are The Signs to Watch Out For
If you have a blood clot in your leg, you may experience the following:
Your foot, ankle and calf may swell.
You may feel calf pain.
Swelling, redness, and tenderness of the knee.
Chest pain without warning.
When your chest hurts, you may need to cough.
Blood clots can travel to the lung. If this happens, you may have these symptoms:
Shortness of breath without warning.
Be sure to call your doctor right away if you have this sign.
Click here for more on Portland Shoulder Surgery.
Infection: What to Do to Prevent It
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 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.
You may have a temperature of 100F or more that just won't go away.
There may be drainage from your knee wound.
Be sure to call your doctor if any of these signs occur.
Avoiding Falls: What to Do
If you fall soon after your surgery, it can damage your new knee. Then you may need more surgery. Try to avoid stairs until your knee has completely recovered and it is mobile and strong. Be sure to use a support device such as hand rails, walker, crutches or a cane. At least have someone assist you until your knee is completely strong and flexible and you have regained your balance.
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. - 17274
After surgery, you will want to be on the lookout for blood clots. Be sure to follow the instructions that your orthopedist will provide.
Here Are The Signs to Watch Out For
If you have a blood clot in your leg, you may experience the following:
Your foot, ankle and calf may swell.
You may feel calf pain.
Swelling, redness, and tenderness of the knee.
Chest pain without warning.
When your chest hurts, you may need to cough.
Blood clots can travel to the lung. If this happens, you may have these symptoms:
Shortness of breath without warning.
Be sure to call your doctor right away if you have this sign.
Click here for more on Portland Shoulder Surgery.
Infection: What to Do to Prevent It
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 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.
You may have a temperature of 100F or more that just won't go away.
There may be drainage from your knee wound.
Be sure to call your doctor if any of these signs occur.
Avoiding Falls: What to Do
If you fall soon after your surgery, it can damage your new knee. Then you may need more surgery. Try to avoid stairs until your knee has completely recovered and it is mobile and strong. Be sure to use a support device such as hand rails, walker, crutches or a cane. At least have someone assist you until your knee is completely strong and flexible and you have regained your balance.
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. - 17274
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.
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