Complications

Recognising & Preventing Potential Complications

Infection
Signs of Infection
• Increased swelling and redness at incision site
• Change in color, amount, odour of drainage
• Increased pain in hip
• Fever greater than 100.5º F

Blood Clots in Legs

Surgery may cause the blood to slow and coagulate in the veins of the patient's legs, creating a blood clot. This is why patients take blood thinners after surgery...

Signs of blood clots in legs
• Swelling in thigh, calf or ankle that does not go down with elevation.
• Pain, heat and tenderness in calf, back of knee or groin area. NOTE: blood clots can form in either leg.

Prevention of blood clots
• Foot and ankle pumps
• Walking
• Compression stockings
• Blood thinners

Pulmonary Embolus

An unrecognised blood clot could break away from the vein and travel to the lungs. This is an emergency and you should CALL for an ambulance if suspected.

Signs of a pulmonary embolus
• Sudden chest pain
• Difficult and/or rapid breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating
• Confusion

Prevention of pulmonary embolus
• Prevent blood clot in legs
• Recognise a blood clot in leg and call an ambulance straight away.

Dislocation - Hip Only

Signs of Dislocation
• Severe pain
• Rotation/shortening of leg
• Unable to walk/move leg

Prevention of Dislocation

AT ALL TIMES
• DO NOT cross legs
• DO NOT twist side-to-side
• DO NOT bend at the hip past 90º