Joint replacement surgery continues to get safer as medical knowledge and technology improves, but we’ll never get to a place where there are zero risks associated with an operation. One risk that we work to minimize following a knee replacement procedure is the onset of blood clots.
Blood clots are more likely to develop following a knee replacement procedure for a number of reasons. For starters, surgery can lead to hypercoagulation of our blood, and limited movement after a major operation can lead to decreased blood flow. If any veins are damaged during surgery, this too can increase a person’s risk of blood clot onset. These clots can cause problems for your recovering knee, but if they end up traveling elsewhere in your body, they have the potential to cause a life-threatening condition called a pulmonary embolism. Working to prevent these clots from developing is a top priority of Dr. McDonald and skilled orthopedic surgeons everywhere.
But how can doctors and patients work to reduce the risk of blood clot formation after knee replacement surgery? We explore some of the methods we recommend in today’s blog.
Lowering Blood Clot Risk After Knee Replacement
Here’s a look at some of the techniques we pursue to try and lower a patient’s risk of developing blood clots in their legs.
- Early Movement – Not only can early movement in your knee and lower body help to speed up the recovery process, but it can also significantly reduce your risk of blood clot formation. Getting up, moving and putting some controlled stress on your artificial knee can improve blood flow, which is key to clot prevention. We always recommend early movement for our patients, and we typically try to pursue minimally invasive replacement techniques so that it’s easier for patients to be mobile sooner after the operation.
- Medication – Certain medications can also help to control your risk of blood clot formation. Talk to your doctor before starting a medication regimen after knee replacement surgery, but don’t be surprised if they put you on an Aspirin regimen. A recent study in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery found Aspirin to be a safe and effective method for lowering a patient’s risk of blood clot formation following knee replacement surgery.
- Surgeon Skill – The vast majority of orthopedic surgeons are incredibly skilled, but make sure you ask them about their history with patient blood clot formation, their efforts to prevent them and how they’ll help manage any issues that may arise. You want to put your trust in a surgeon who has a proven track record of preventing blood clots, but also someone who knows how to spot the early signs of an issue and manage them accordingly.
- Compression Stockings – Many surgeons recommend that patients wear some form of compression stocking during the early stages of their rehabilitation. These stockings help to open up blood vessels and improve circulation in areas that need it the most. It’s a helpful passive treatment, but make sure it isn’t the only way you’re working to prevent blood clots.
Dr. Botero and his team know how to prevent and manage blood clots following a knee replacement procedure, and he’s confident he can help you have a strong and healthy recovery following your joint replacement procedure. For more information about blood clot onset and prevention, or for answers to other questions about joint replacement surgery and recovery, reach out to his team today at (865) 558-4444.
