I developed a blood clot after knee surgery, am I now at risk in the future?!
Question: I developed a blood clot after knee surgery, am I now at risk in the future.?
I am 30 years old, very healthy and I do not smoke. I had arthroscopic knee surgery for a meniscus tear and developed a blood clot the night after surgery. Am I now at higher risk to develop blood clots in the future or just the same as before. I hear horror stories about people with blood clot problems, but it seems I just had bad luck in this case. I had knee surgery 10 years ago and nothing happened then. also, will it be difficult to find health insurance because of this isolated condition.? I am about to start a new job with killer health benefits and hope this doesn't affect that. Thanks for any help!Health Question & Answer
Answers:
Research data reports with some orthopedic surgeries especially hip surgeries and joint replacements post operative blood clot is common up to 85% of patients have blood clots. Of course they uaually don't have serious side effects. They are usually not diagnosed nor treated. They disolve just like bruises do. bruises are blood that has escaped the confines of blood vessels and is free in tissues.
Because orthoscopic surgeries usually have little blood due to puncture wounds rather than large incisions through muscles where blood is concentrated the risk of blood clots is reduced so clots from this procedure is not as likely. Often there is a tourniquet placed on the upper thigh during the procedure to prevent bleeding at the surgical site and sterile solution is used to rince the operative site to prevent bleeding from the site so the surgon can see with the scope.
A blood test called PT or prothrombin and PTT tells your doctor what your blood clotting factor is. An INR does this as well. Usually this is not done routinely on orthroscopic surgery due to the expected small amount of blood loss. This test would tell you if you have a higher risk of blood clots. You could express your concerns with your surgon or primary care doctor and be checked for increased blood clotting factors. Vit. E or low dose aspirin daily will thin the blood and decrease the risk of a blood clot. That's why heart patients often take an aspirin a day. An orthopedic surgon I know requested his joint patients to take an aspirin a day for the first 4-6 weeks post operatively to prevent blood clots. Some doctors give a heparin shot postoperatively to prevent blood clots.
Who knows about your insurance.? Depends on their knowledge but after your surgery blood clots are unusual so shouldn't effect your insurance. Agree with you it is an isolated event. Should not increase the chance of you having other clots because this was caused by the trauma of surgery not an everyday activity.Health Question & Answer
Because orthoscopic surgeries usually have little blood due to puncture wounds rather than large incisions through muscles where blood is concentrated the risk of blood clots is reduced so clots from this procedure is not as likely. Often there is a tourniquet placed on the upper thigh during the procedure to prevent bleeding at the surgical site and sterile solution is used to rince the operative site to prevent bleeding from the site so the surgon can see with the scope.
A blood test called PT or prothrombin and PTT tells your doctor what your blood clotting factor is. An INR does this as well. Usually this is not done routinely on orthroscopic surgery due to the expected small amount of blood loss. This test would tell you if you have a higher risk of blood clots. You could express your concerns with your surgon or primary care doctor and be checked for increased blood clotting factors. Vit. E or low dose aspirin daily will thin the blood and decrease the risk of a blood clot. That's why heart patients often take an aspirin a day. An orthopedic surgon I know requested his joint patients to take an aspirin a day for the first 4-6 weeks post operatively to prevent blood clots. Some doctors give a heparin shot postoperatively to prevent blood clots.
Who knows about your insurance.? Depends on their knowledge but after your surgery blood clots are unusual so shouldn't effect your insurance. Agree with you it is an isolated event. Should not increase the chance of you having other clots because this was caused by the trauma of surgery not an everyday activity.Health Question & Answer
glad to hear you don't smoke, having heart problems or stroke are not normal at your age. If there is family history about this you need to speak to your doctor. Yes, blood clots can be a serious risk, but, proper food and serving sizes, exercise and sleep are good thing to follow. I myself had that happen they gave me heparin in the hospital when it was discovered and all gone. I talked to my doctor and he told me things I could do to help myself.Health Question & Answer
hmm dunno
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Yahooooo does not exactly have the best doctors. I recommend one of those professionals to answer your questions.Health Question & Answer
Yahooooo does not exactly have the best doctors. I recommend one of those professionals to answer your questions.Health Question & Answer
If it's great insurance, it will cover pre-existing conditions. and even if it doesn't there will just be a waiting period before it kicks in. Then maybe you can get a second opinion on your risk and options. Maybe there's something else you can do or take to prevent clots.
To help prevent blood clots, you can choose not to smoke, or drink. Exercise more frequently and generally improve your style of living. Sitting behind a computer day after day with your legs crossed will not help. Crossing your legs disrupts the free flow of blood. If you plan to take a holiday by plane or car, make sure you walk around, from time to time, and wear support stockings.
also google natural remedies for preventing blood clots, like this
http://www.ctds.info/natthinners.htmlHealth Question & Answer
To help prevent blood clots, you can choose not to smoke, or drink. Exercise more frequently and generally improve your style of living. Sitting behind a computer day after day with your legs crossed will not help. Crossing your legs disrupts the free flow of blood. If you plan to take a holiday by plane or car, make sure you walk around, from time to time, and wear support stockings.
also google natural remedies for preventing blood clots, like this
http://www.ctds.info/natthinners.htmlHealth Question & Answer