What Are the Symptoms of Blood Clots After Arthroscopic Knee Surgery?
Redness, numbness and swelling are a few symptoms that patients experience after they develop a blood clot in the leg. Leg blood clots can develop after knee arthroscopy procedures, but they are not a common complication, MedLine Plus says.
Knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that can help treat many knee conditions. These arthroscopies can identify a torn meniscus, an anterior cruciate ligament tear, swollen joints, misaligned patella and other common knee problems. Surgeons make a cut in the knee and insert a camera to view the inside of the knee, says MedLine Plus. Damage to the knee cartilage and knee stiffness can occur after knee arthroscopies.
Some patients may suffer from blood clots after a knee arthroscopy. These clots develop in the leg and cause it to become swollen, painful and numb, Mayo Clinic states. People should see a doctor immediately if they notice these post-surgery symptoms. To decrease the chances of getting a blood clot, try not to sit for long periods of time. Extensive arthroscopy procedures may require bed rest, but once patients are cleared to move around they should do so. For simpler arthroscopies, many people can move around on crutches soon after the surgery, which also helps to stave off potential blood clots.
