Joint replacement surgery has become much safer in the past few decades, but like any surgery, it’s impossible to eliminate every risk from the equation. One of the risks that most surgeons advise their patients about following a hip or knee replacement operation is the possibility of a blood clot. Below, we take a closer look at why blood clots can develop after a joint replacement surgery and how the complication can be prevented.
Why Blood Clots Develop After Surgery
Blood clots can develop for a couple of different reasons as a result of surgery. Long procedures where you are inactive can allow your blood to pool, providing an ideal environment for the formation of a clot. The same can be said after an operation where patients can’t be as active because of the physical trauma of an operation. That’s why Dr. Botero and other joint replacement surgeons are so keen on getting patients up and moving shortly after a procedure to greatly reduce clot risk.
Blood clots can also be more likely after joint replacement operations due to the nature of the operation. When bone needs to be shaved or cut, your body can release a substance known as antigens. These antigens in turn trigger an immune response from your body, which can increase your risk of a clot.
A clot can also develop if you have familial or lifestyle factors that increase your propensity for clots. For example, if you have a family history of blood clots, are a smoker or you’re overweight, you’re already at a higher risk for clot development, so taking prevention steps is even more important.
Preventing Blood Clot Formation
As you can probably surmise based on the above paragraphs, the best way to prevent blood clots is to stay active after surgery. We know this won’t always be easy, but even just standing and moving for a couple minutes can really help push blood through your body. Aside from safe physical activity, other ways to prevent blood clot formation after hip or knee replacement include:
- Staying hydrated
- Working to get to an ideal weight before and after surgery
- Giving up smoking
- Taking prescribed medications
- Wearing compression stockings
- Knowing the signs and symptoms of a blood clot
The last point is key, because time is of the essence when it comes to treating a potential blood clot. Some symptoms to be on the lookout for include pain or tenderness in your legs, unexpected swelling, shortness of breath, leg discoloration and chest pain. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your surgeon or another healthcare provider right away.
We work hard to minimize your risk of blood clot formation by performing joint replacement techniques that avoid damaging blood vessels when possible, even though the maneuver is more complex for the surgeon. Dr. Botero has extensive experience performing these more complex procedures because he knows it’s worth it to provide a higher level of patient safety. To learn more about his hip or knee replacement techniques and how he can help reduce your risk of a blood clot after your joint replacement operation, reach out to his clinic today at (865) 558-4444.
