treatment of post-surgical edema in the orthopedic patient - a case report

by Prof. Ciara Effertz 10 min read

Improving Orthopedic-Related Postoperative Edema …

20 hours ago swelling, blood loss, and prevention of venous thrombo-embolism in the immediate postoperative period. Limb elevation, frequent repositioning, sodium restriction, and diuretic use are general edema management techniques also utilized in postoperative orthopedic rehabilitation patients. However, several of these modalities are poorly >> Go To The Portal


Limb elevation, frequent repositioning, sodium restriction, and diuretic use are general edema management techniques also utilized in postoperative orthopedic rehabilitation patients. However, several of these modalities are poorly understood or lack adequate support from the literature.

Full Answer

What are general edema management techniques used in postoperative orthopedic rehabilitation?

Limb elevation, frequent repositioning, sodium restriction, and diuretic use are general edema management techniques also utilized in postoperative orthopedic rehabilitation patients. However, several of these modalities are poorly understood or lack adequate support from the literature.

How does lower extremity edema affect outcomes of orthopedic surgery?

Reduced functional performance in orthopedic patients related to postoperative lower extremity edema also negatively impacts length of stay and patient perception of surgical outcomes (Brock et al., 2015).

What are the possible complications of postoperative edema?

Postoperative Edema 1 Cosmetic Blepharoplasty. ... 2 Surgical Complications in Neurosurgery. ... 3 Iatrogenic disease. ... 4 Surgical complications and their treatments. ... 5 Amputations. ... 6 Amputations. ... 7 Complications After Glioma Surgery. ... 8 Postoperative and Preprosthetic Care. ... 9 Implants. ... 10 Root Form Implants

What causes edema after surgery?

The term 'edema' refers to the visible swelling that is caused by accumulation of excess fluid in the body tissues. There have been instances of edema in individuals who have undergone a surgery. This write-up will throw some light on the possible causes of fluid retention after surgery.

What is edema tracking?

An Edema Tracking Spreadsheetwas used to collect information on patient demographics(age, gender), type of surgery, health variables (body massindex [BMI], psychological history, Patient HealthQuestionnaire-Nine[PHQ-9] depression score), edemavariables ( edema documentation and edema manage-ment), and length of stay. The PHQ-9 was utilized bya residential services representative per facility protocolto assess depression severity by asking patients nine ques-tions with individual answers assigned points rangingfrom 0 to 3 in relation to severity of depressive symptoms,which were added to a total score ranging from 0 to27 per the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (2005).Psychological comorbidities and traits are correlated withworsened function, pain, and surgical outcomes most no-tably in the knee replacement population in comparisonto the hip replacement population (Dowsey et al., 2014).Edema severity and the patient’s ability to psychologicallycope with edema-related adversities greatly influence ther-apy progression (Su et al., 2012). PHQ-9 scoring datawere included as a variable since internal stakeholdersnoted that depression is often prevalent in postoperativeTKA and THA patients, which can negatively impactpostoperative rehabilitation. BMI was calculated by a di-etician from patient height and weight data, with less than18.5 kg/m2categorized as underweight, 18.5–24.9 kg/m2categorized as normal weight, 25–25.9 kg m2categorizedas overweight, and 30 kg/m2or greater categorized as obeseas per the National Institutes of Health (n.d.). Lower ex-tremity peripheral edema is noted as a common postop-erative complication particularly in obese knee and hiparthroplasty patients (Friedman et al., 2013). BMI datawere included as a variable to analyze the prevalence ofobesity in this patient population and to observe howBMI affected other data variables, including edema sever-ity and length of stay.

What is pre and post intervention?

The project was conducted at a mid-sized freestanding rehabilitative nursing facility that providesphysical rehabilitation to orthopedic, neurologic, cardiac,and general medicine patients in the Chicago land area. Pa-tients were admitted to this facility from 10 local hospitalsor other skilled nursing facilities.Thisprojectwasprimar-ily conducted on two of the four nursing floors that spe-cialized in orthopedic nursing rehabilitation. Involvedstaff included registered nurses, licensed practical nurses,certified nursing assistants, restorative aids, and memorysupport coordinators from the four nursing floors.

What is postoperative edema?

Postoperative edema is an anticipated sequela of most facial surgery, including cosmetic blepharoplasty. Swelling exhibits extreme variability from patient to patient; some patients hardly swell while some develop remarkable postoperative edema. The preoperative consent and evaluation should definitively cover all common complications including swelling. Generally, perioral edema begins in the recovery area and will increase for 48 hours and maximize at about 72 hours. Ice, head elevation, and avoidance of strenuous activity are the first lines of defense against excessive swelling. It is not uncommon for some patients to develop chemosis (edema of the bulbar conjunctiva) from the inflammation of surgery (Figure 7-71 ). Occasionally patients can develop impressive chemosis, and this frequently occurs from a Valsalva incident such as sneezing or coughing or more frequently from overactivity in the early preoperative phase. This can be very disconcerting for the patient and family, and they must be reassured. Chemosis can be treated with dexamethasone and Neo-Synephrine 2.5% drops, but I usually prescribe oral steroids. Although very common, I have been unimpressed with the results of tapering-dose packs. I use a regimen of 60 milligrams of prednisone (three 20-mg tablets) once a day for 5 days. This has proved to be very safe and effective and generally abates severe chemosis in 48 hours. I also use this regimen in healthy individuals for other cosmetic-related edema. Warm compresses are also utilized to soothe the eyes and reduce swelling.

How long does perioral edema last?

Generally, perioral edema begins in the recovery area and will increase for 48 hours and maximize at about 72 hours. Ice, head elevation, and avoidance of strenuous activity are the first lines of defense against excessive swelling.

Why is edema common in the hand?

Postoperative edema is a common presentation in the hand due to the inflammatory response during tissue healing.33,34 During the fibroplastic stage of healing, edema is promptly addressed to prevent additional joint stiffness, pain, and delays in healing.

What is the best treatment for edema in the brain?

In moderate cases, osmotic agents like mannitol and hypertonic saline as well as diuretics like furosemide are used to decrease the brain's hydrostatic pressure. Mechanical ventilation in obtunded patients is usually helpful in reducing edema by improving brain oxygenation and cerebral vasoconstriction.

What is the hemodynamic change after thrombosis?

Hemodynamic changes after damage or thrombosis of draining veins , accompanied by cytotoxic changes of brain parenchyma due to direct damage or ischemia from prolonged retraction, form a vicious cycle that produce macroscopic cerebral edema.

Does swelling have to be preoperative?

Swelling has extreme variability from patient to patient, as some patients hardly swell and others develop remarkable postoperative edema. The preoperative consent and evaluation should cover all common complications, including swelling.

Can lymphedema persist for months?

The periorbital area is very rich in lymphatics and occasionally lymphedema can occur and persist for several months in rare cases. It is not uncommon for some patients to develop chemosis (edema of the bulbar conjunctiva) from the inflammation of surgery or overactivity in the early postoperative period ( Fig. 5.108 ).

Why does edema occur?

Edema is a normal response to injury ( Villeco, 2012) and develops when the microvascular filtration rate exceeds lymph drainage for a sufficient period either because the filtration rate is high or the lymph flow is low or a combination of the two.

What is edema in the interstitium?

Edema becomes a concern when it persists beyond the inflammatory phase or after two weeks, subsequently developing peripheral protein-rich edema in the interstitium ( Stout, 2002 ). Peripheral edema differs from chronic venous and lymphatic obstruction, emerging immediately after a fracture or soft tissue injury. This type of edema increases during immobilization affects the distal extremity at the site of the injury and does not react immediately to diuretics or anti-inflammatory drugs. In contrast, venous edema develops slowly and only marginally responds to diuretics ( Majewski-Schrage and Snyder, 2016 ). Untreated and persistent edema can exacerbate pain, and cause mobility and range of motion (ROM) difficulties. Furthermore, edema may increase the risk of infection in the affected area, decrease blood circulation and negatively affect the elasticity of the arteries - all complications that can delay wound healing ( Földi et al., 2018 ). Scar tissue may obstruct the normal lymph flow. Free flaps used in reconstructive surgery appear to have no normally functioning lymphatic vessels ( van Zanten et al., 2017 ).

How does compression therapy work?

Compression therapy is an important therapeutic tool causing: 1) displacement of fluid from the interstitium and reduction in venous pressure. The compression promotes lymphatic drainage, resulting in augmentation of the lymphatic pump; 2) reduction of the lymphatic preload; and 3) increased lymph flow in functioning lymph vessels, particularly when combined with exercise. Compression acts as a counterforce to muscle activity. The contraction and relaxation of the skeletal muscles lead to an increase of pressure, thus, providing the most powerful stimulus to lymph drainage ( Hobday, 2016; Rockson, 2018 ). All methods of compression found in the review are described in Table 2.

Does compression therapy help with edema?

Orthopedic injuries in conjunction with extensive damage to tissues, bones and blood vessels, usually require a long recovery. Associated consequences are pain, movement limitations, decreased function and occasionally, prolonged edema, which can delay or interfere with the healing process. Lymphatic and compression therapy have become increasingly common, intending to reduce edema and pain, thus, promoting the recovery process.

What is orthopedic surgery?

Orthopedic surgery is concerned with the treatment of diseases and injuries of the musculoskeletal system, mainly with manipulative and operative methods. Perianesthesia nursing care of the orthopedic patient can be challenging and rigorous.

What is the purpose of a pillow in hip replacement?

A pillow is placed between the knees during turning to prevent adduction and rotation. For the patient with a posterior or lateral total hip replacement, proper body alignment is achieved with placement of an abduction pillow between the knees at all times ( Box 37-1 ).

Do you need to check dressings for drainage?

All surgical dressings should be checked for drainage and closure. Patients with orthopedic surgery are highly susceptible to infection; therefore strict asepsis is required when changing dressings or handling drains. Drains may be placed in the wound to minimize blood accumulation and the possibility of infection. Care must be taken to attend these drains and maintain suction.

What is the best treatment for edema after surgery?

Medication: The use of diuretics is the most common treatment option that is recommended for treating edema that may occur post surgery. Diuretics are a class of a drugs that help in removing the excess water and sodium from the body by increasing the urine output.

What is swelling after surgery?

The term 'edema' refers to the visible swelling that is caused by accumulation of excess fluid in the body tissues. There have been instances of edema in individuals who have undergone a surgery. This write-up will throw some light on the possible causes of fluid retention after surgery. The term ‘edema’ refers to the visible swelling ...

Why does ADH cause water retention?

As ADH stimulates the re-absorption of water into blood, it may cause the retention of fluid within the vascular space. Other Causes: Another cause of water retention post surgery could be use of certain drugs such as blood vessel dilators, calcium channel blockers, anti-hypertensives, certain synthetic hormones or steroids.

Why is fluid buildup so bad after surgery?

Fluid buildup could even be caused due to an obstruction that may result from an overgrowth or an infection. Drainage of lymph fluid might also be adversely affected if one has been immobilized for a prolonged period of time. So, those who have been bedridden for a prolonged period of time after surgery are at a risk of developing lymphedema. ...

Why does fluid retention occur after surgery?

Edema is not uncommon after an invasive surgery. Let’s understand the reasons behind fluid retention after surgery. Trauma: Edema is usually attributed to inflammation that may result from the trauma that is inflicted on the body tissues during the surgery. Though a surgeon may follow certain methods to minimize injury, trauma is inevitable.

Why does ADH increase after surgery?

It is believed that the levels of ADH (anti-diuretic hormone) could increase due to the high levels of stress experienced by the patients who have undergone a major surgery. ADH, which is commonly referred to as arginine vasopressin, acts on the kidneys and facilitates the conservation of water in the body.

Can lymphedema cause a blockage?

Lymphatic obstruction, which is a medical condition that is characterized by the inability of the lymphatic vessels to drain lymph fluid from the body tissues due to a blockage in lymphatic vessels, could also cause lymphedema. Lymphedema could be caused due to injuries or infections. It could even develop as a post-surgery complication owing ...

Introduction

Pulmonary embolism is a life-threatening condition, with a high mortality rate. Recent studies show that 30-day mortality is 4%, but may increase to 13% after 90 days (1). The risk of developing a PE increases during and after surgery and it depends from the type of surgery and patient risk factors.

Case Report

A 56- year old men arrived in the emergency department because of a brief episode of loss of consciousness. The patient was in good health. He reported that, two weeks before, had undergone a hip left arthroplasty and was in therapy with enoxaparin 6000 units once a day.

Discussion

Pulmonary embolism is a life-threatening condition that should be promptly recognized. Surgical patients are at increased risk of developing a PE, especially after orthopaedic hip and knee surgery, because of positioning during surgery and immobility, that contributes to an increase in venous stasis. Therefore the prophylactic therapy is essential.

Bibliography

Alotaibi GS, Wu C, Senthiselvan A, McMurthy MS. Secular trends in incidence and mortality of acute venous thromboembolism: The AB-VTE Population-Based Study. Am J Med 2016; 129: 879 e 819-825.