Blood clots

[Guest guest]

We're all different, but I'd be surprised if anyone

panicked as much as I did about the possibility of

developing a blood clot during a THR.

When I began researching hip replacement, after being

told I needed a LTHR, I was about 50-60 pounds

overweight, I was diabetic, and I had already had a

superficial vein blood clot in my left leg that

required ligation.

So one thing I did, beginning 11 months to the day

before my surgery, was to lose 60 pounds. As a result,

7 months before my surgery my primary care physician

took me off the two blood sugar meds I was on and a

moderate dose of Lipitor (cholesterol). I no longer

needed the meds because of the weight loss (and I

still don't). My surgeon told me shortly thereafter

that he was unaware of any relationship between an

increased risk for deep vein blood clots in those who

have had a superficial vein blood clot.

What I'm getting at here is that if you know your

risks, do what you can to lower those risks.

I was given a 5 mg. dose of Coumadin the night before

surgery, and I was on daily Coumadin for a month after

surgery. I also had to wear compression stockings

(which amused my wife to no end). That was it for

measures to prevent blood clots. Getting moving as

soon as possible after surgery, I was told, also helps

prevent blood clots. I did that, too.

I also asked a lot of questions before my surgery. I

was told by a doctor that 1-3% of those who have THR

have blood clots. But I also clarified with her that

of that group, a smaller percentage has a deep vein

blood clot that becomes a pulmonary embolism, and an

even smaller percent of that smaller group has a fatal

pulmonary embolism. Thus, I learned that my chances of

having a fatal pulmonary embolism as a result of a THR

were extremely low.

Of course, this doesn't lower one's risk, but it does

provide facts for having a realistic perspective and

realistic concerns--not the near panic with which I

had begun this process.

All in all, I had no clots or any other complications.

--Arthur

Arthur in Pennsylvania

LTHR November 10, 2006

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