Prevention of Infection

While the risk of infection following knee surgery is relatively low, it's important to take the possibility seriously. Besides the surgical site itself becoming infected, it's also possible for infections in another part of the body to spread to the new prosthesis (sometimes years after the initial operation). Your nurse will normally review signs and symptoms of infection with you on the second day after your surgery.

Notify your orthopaedic surgeon if:

• Your incision site has drainage, redness, swelling and/or a foul odor. 

• You think that you may have an infection. This may include an ingrown toenail, bladder infection, skin sores, a tooth abscess, etc.
   
• You have increased knee pain at rest or when active.
   
• You undergo a procedure or have a condition through which bacteria might spread into your bloodstream.
   
• You have a persistent fever above 101 degrees for 2 days.

What you can do to prevent blood clots:
* Do flex, extend and rotate your ankles at least every hour.
* Do wear your elastic stockings as ordered by your doctor.
* Do take an anti-coagulant medication.

What you should NOT do:
* Do not sit for longer than one hour without moving.
* Do not sit with your hips lower than your knees.
* Do not sit on a chair without arms.
* Do not turn your operated leg inward (pigeon-toe).
* Do not cross your operated leg over your other leg. Keep your thighs apart.
* Do not cross your ankles.
* Do not cross your hips.

Blood clot symptoms:
* Chest pain.
* Shortness of breath.
* Drainage or foul odor from the incision.
* Redness at the incision site.
* Redness, warmth or pain in legs.
* Excessive pain or swelling in the hip, calf or feet.
* Elevated temperature of more than 101ºF.

** NOTIFY your nurse or doctor immediately if you have any of the above symptoms!!

To learn more about Complications after Surgery, please click here.

Next: Returning Home

Knee

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All equipment brought into the operation room for your surgery resides under the supervision of your surgeon. The surgical equipment, as well as the prosthesis from Wright, is sterilized under the guidelines established by the FDA7.