Hip Knee ReplacementTop Tips- Orthopedic Surgery

  1. Tell your orthopedic surgeon if you ever had a clot, or if anyone in your family had one, especially your parents, sisters, or brothers.  If you know you have a clotting disorder that increases your risk of clotting, bring this up.
  2. Ask your surgeon what blood thinner you will need to take after your hip or knee replacement, and find out what you have to do to take it safely.
  3. Wear your compression stockings every day, and move around as much as you are able and allowed.
  4. Call your doctor right away if you notice an increase in the amount of swelling, pain or tenderness in your leg, reddish or bluish skin discoloration, or skin that is warm to the touch. These are signs of a blood clot in your leg, known as a deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
  5. Get immediate medical attention if you feel sudden shortness of breath, chest pain that is sharp and stabbing and worsens with each breath, rapid heart rate, or if you have an unexplained cough with or without blood-streaked mucus, since you may have a clot in your lungs, known as a pulmonary embolism (PE). 

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