Top 5 Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore After Joint Replacement

Deciding to have joint replacement surgery allows you to begin anticipating a return to pain-free mobility and ease in everyday activities. But as your surgery date gets closer, it’s important to understand what your recovery process will look like, as well as what changes shouldn’t be ignored. 

Robert J. Otto, MD, is here to cover some of the problems that can occur during your recovery. While these issues are uncommon, it's important to recognize and address them if they arise. 

Residents of Nashville, Murfreesboro, and Cookeville, Tennessee, are encouraged to contact our office immediately if any of these issues emerge during recovery from joint replacement. 

Post-surgical pain should improve steadily

A degree of pain after joint replacement is normal. After all, the procedure requires displacing a significant amount of tissue. Your body needs time to adjust to new joint components in addition to healing the incision site. 

But post-surgical pain should begin to improve within a couple of days of your procedure. If pain spikes or doesn’t seem to improve as you move through your recovery process, it’s imperative to schedule a visit with Dr. Otto. 

Understand the signs of infection

While Dr. Otto and his team perform surgery under the highest standards of sterility, any procedure that breaks your skin’s protective barrier carries a risk of infection. Knowing the signs of infection empowers you to take action in the earliest possible stages. 

Swelling, persistent fever, shaking, redness, or increased drainage from the surgical site are all signs of infection. Call our office immediately to see if a same-day visit is possible. Left untreated, an infection can quickly spread and threaten your overall health. 

Implant failure is a rare but possible complication

In some cases, the components of a joint implant don’t deliver the intended benefits. This can happen due to improper placement of the implant or if the implant components weren’t properly sized. An infection can also interfere with a new implant. 

Signs of implant failure include pain, difficulty walking or moving, and a sensation of instability within the repaired joint. 

Be on the lookout for signs of a blood clot

Platelets within your blood enable clotting, an essential aspect of wound repair. But when a blood clot develops in your lower body after joint replacement, it can break free and travel to your lungs, creating an emergency situation that can be life-threatening. 

Know the symptoms of a blood clot so you can take action accordingly. Issues like tenderness around the implant site, pain in your leg or calf, or swelling in your foot, ankle, calf, or thigh can all indicate a blood clot. 

Stiffness should improve during physical therapy

Your repaired joint will be stiff during the early phase of your recovery. But continued movement should lessen and eventually eliminate joint stiffness. Physical therapy plays a significant role in improving joint function. 

If you experience worsened or continued stiffness as you move through physical therapy, let Dr. Otto and your therapist know. You might need to change your physical therapy routine or your at-home routines to relieve pressure on the joint. It’s also possible that your body needs more guided movement to heal properly. 

Take advantage of your resources

When you entrust Robert J. Otto, MD, with your care, you have access to outstanding joint health services, including post-operative support. You shouldn’t hesitate to take advantage of these resources if you experience any problems on your path to recovery. 

We’re here to help, and our office offers multiple ways to contact us if you need to schedule a visit. You can call or request an appointment using our simple online booking tool. Nothing is more important to us than your successful recovery, so be sure to reach out if you experience any cause for concern.