Will a Pill Ever Replace Knee and Hip Replacement Surgery?
It’s only a matter of time before people with osteoarthritis will be growing back cartilage by taking a pill instead of undergoing joint replacement surgeries. […]
Knee Is Swollen and Hurts 8 Weeks After Replacement Surgery?
You had your knee replacement surgery eight weeks ago yet the knee is still pretty swollen and hurts. How normal – or abnormal – is this? […]
DVT Risk after Joint Replacement Surgery Stays for Years
The length of time that DVT risk remains significant after joint replacement surgery will shock you. It’s years. Yes, the risk of this dangerous blood clot goes on for years after the joint replacement. This [...]
DVT Prophylaxis Duration after Hip Fracture Surgery
How long should DVT prophylaxis (prevention) be following hip replacement surgery to repair a fracture? Unfortunately, there does not exist a be-all, end-all answer to this question. Joint replacement surgeons don’t even agree on which [...]
Is Leg Swelling After Knee Replacement Always DVT?
Have you had knee replacement surgery, and have noticed that the other leg seems to be getting bigger or swollen in appearance, even though after the first several days following the operation, it looked as [...]
Knee Replacement DVT: Patients at Highest Risk?
Certain kinds of patients have the highest risk of a DVT following joint replacement surgery. A DVT is a deep vein thrombosis which could break off and travel to the lungs and be life threatening. [...]
Aspirin vs. Coumadin for Blood Clot Prevention after Surgery
Find out if aspirin reigns over the powerful blood thinner Coumadin for blood clot prevention following joint replacement surgery. Typically prior to joint replacement surgery, the patient is given Coumadin (warfarin), a powerful blood thinner, [...]
How Safe Are Hip & Knee Replacements for People Over 80?
Here’s what you need to know if you’re over 80 and wondering if it’s worth it to have a hip or knee replacement electively. How safe is it? It’s one thing if an 80-plus person [...]
DVT Prevention after Joint Replacement: Portable Compression
DVT (blood clot) prevention after joint replacement surgery can be done with a portable compression device that straps onto the legs. The standard of care following joint replacement surgery is to send the patient home [...]
Swelling from DVT vs. Joint Replacement Fluid Retention
Is there a way to tell the difference, without imaging, between DVT swelling and post-surgical edema or fluid retention from a joint replacement surgery? When a joint replacement patient views their affected limb for the [...]
Cause of DVT Weeks after Joint Replacement Surgery
Shutterstock/Naeblys The “grace period” for DVT development after joint replacement surgery is 90 days, but why so far out if by then, the patient is walking? Three months out from a knee or [...]
Best Ways to Prevent a DVT after Joint Replacement Surgery
The complication of DVT following joint replacement surgery can lead to a fatal pulmonary embolism. Therefore, the best prevention tactics for a DVT must be put into place. Other high risk surgeries for DVT are [...]
General Anesthesia vs. Regional for Knee Replacement Surgery
Did you know that the use of regional anesthesia for total knee replacement surgery isn’t all that uncommon? General anesthesia brings with it fear in many people that they'll "never wake up." Don't let the [...]
How Does Surgery Cause a DVT?
A vascular surgeon explains why most DVTs form during surgery rather than during the immobility after the surgery. The estimate for annual U.S. deaths from pulmonary embolism (which begin as a deep vein thrombosis) ranges [...]