The patient/caregiver was educated on complications involved during immediate phase of knee replacement surgery as follows:
Deep venous thrombosis or clot formation:
- As the mobility and range of motion in the joint is limited during immediate post-surgical phase, blood tends to pool in the deep veins of the limb and increase risk for clot formation.
- Usually, clots are formed at the level of calf muscle in lower extremities. Large blood clots formed in the lower extremities can occlude the veins and obstruct the blood return in these veins towards the heart.
- Consequently, this can result in diffuse swelling of the leg below the level of the clot, due to the accumulation of blood.
- Also, occlusion of the vein by the clot can result in localized inflammation of the vein. This can lead to pain and pinpoint tenderness at the site of clot formation, usually at the level of calf muscle, with some redness and elevation of temperature at the site of the clot deposition in the limb.
- Observing compliance with intake of prescribed blood thinner medications, if any, can help prevent clot formation.
- Keep a close watch for any above-mentioned signs and symptoms of clot formation and report to the physician at the earliest for management measures to prevent further complications.
Pulmonary emboli formation:
- The blood clot or thrombus formed in the deep veins of the leg, if it were small enough, can travel up along the veins in the limb. These free-floating clots are called emboli and have the potential to get deposited usually in the lungs.
- These blood clots deposited in the lung are called pulmonary emboli. Deposition of the blood clot in the lung can result in sudden onset of chest pain, extreme shortness of breath, and dry cough.
- Observing compliance with intake of prescribed blood thinner medications, if any, can help prevent clot formation, DVT, and embolism.
- Keep a close watch for any above-mentioned signs and symptoms of pulmonary embolus formation and report to the physician at the earliest for management measures to prevent further complications.
Numbness of skin at the surgical site:
- Nerves supplying to the skin on the knee could be permanently damaged due to the incision made during surgery. Individuals can present with numbness of skin on the knee in the surgical limb.
