Injections and Blood Clots after Total Joint Replacement

By Matt Paulus, MS, ATC, Site Coordinator

Infections & Blood Clots After Total Joint Replacement

Most patients recover from total joint replacement without issue. However, in very isolated cases an issue with infection or blood clots may develop and it is important to know the signs of each as they are serious conditions.

Post-op total knee replacement

Image of a Knee after Total Joint Replacement

Infection Warning Signs

  • Persistent fever (greater than 100°)
  • Shaking chills
  • Increasing redness
  • tenderness
  • swelling around the wound
  • Increasing pain with both activity and rest

Blood Clot Warning Signs

  • Pain in your leg or calf unrelated to your incision
  • Tenderness or redness above or below your knee
  • Severe swelling of your thigh, calf, ankle, or foot
  • Pain in your calf when you stretch your toes upward
  • Area around knee feels very hot to touch

If you are in physical therapy and you have calf pain.  It is very important to tell your therapist about this pain.  They can evaluate you and contact your surgeon as needed.

Blood Clot Tests

With a physical exam, your therapist or physician would perform a Homan’s Test.  Your physician would determine if you needed further testing with a Doppler Study/Ultrasound.

By: Matt Paulus, MS, ATC, Site Coordinator

JOI and JOI Rehab

JOI Physicians continue to offer online new patient appointments. This is another option to make it more convenient to make new patient appointments with less phone hold times. Follow the link below to select your JOI MD and schedule online.

You can still call 904-JOI-2000 to make new patient JOI Physician Appointments if that is your preference.

To make appointments with JOI Rehab, please call 904-858-7045.

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