Another risk is blood clots after a joint replacement.
Since our patients are mobilized very soon after surgery, this risk is small.
Calf compressors during and after surgery also help.
After surgery “TED stockings” and low doses of aspirin or other anticoagulation (blood thinner) medications are prescribed depending on the patient’s medical history.
In patients without any history of thromboembolic (blood clot) problems, we advise taking aspirin, 300 mg per day, for a period of six weeks. This is normal aspirin, and if you take low dose aspirin, such as Cartia, which is 100 mg per tablet, three of these need to be taken per day.
These measures are in place to reduce the risk of forming a clot.
In the event the patient is diagnosed with a blood clot, intravenous or subcutaneous anticoagulation therapy may be required.
There is no perfect treatment, and while trying to decrease the significant risk of deep vein thrombosis and the possibility of more serious complications, such as pulmonary embolism (blood clots breaking off and traveling to the lungs), other potential side effects (such as bleeding) can occur with the drugs used to decrease this complication. These medications require extreme care in their use.