Hone From The Emergency Department
[ Sunday May 3rd 2026 at 7:05 pm ]
I woke up with my right knee to my right foot extremely swollen and running a mild fever. I went to the hospital to get checked out. There is a higher risk of blood clots in knee replacements compared to hip replacements.
I had a 5 minute wait in the waiting room area of the emergency department. After my initial assessment I was sent to the designated area within the emergency department that is a step before dying to be kept under close observation.
What is wrong isn't serious. I likely had a fever due to pain and my body is producing more swelling then is typical. The challenge is that with knee replacements there is a higher risk than hip replacements for a blood clot to form. I needed to have blood work and an ultrasound of my leg performed to check that I was safe.
The resolution of this is straight forward and easy. I need to ice my knee joint hourly (instead of the typical every second hour), pump my ankles like I am riding a bike to keep the blood in my leg flowing and spend more time laying down so the knee is equal or above my heart to prevent blood from pooling in my leg.
Apart from being very tired I am grateful for the help of the people who cared for me while I was at the hospital being assessed.