“Fever after surgery?”
I had knee replacement surgery yesterday. Today I have a fever of 101.9, chills, and a sore throat. Should I be concerned?
Male | 71 years old
4 Answers
Yes, you need a fever work up.
Yes, call your doctor right away!
Thanks for sharing your elevated temperature issue with the FATD community. Please allow me to share my thoughts, tips, and suggestions regarding this issue.
A total knee replacement is a big surgery and your body goes through breathing alterations and fluid shifts during this type of surgery. It is not uncommon to have an elevated temperature, chills, and sore throat. Did you have a tube placed in your throat for breathing (general anesthesia during the surgery)? If so, this can irritate the throat for a few days. Gargling with warm, (quite) salty water (swish and spit, 8-10 times after about 10 seconds of gargling) twice a day for 2-3 days can help. Breathing deeply and slowly (all the way in and then all the way out) can open up the lungs can clear out the toxins from the anesthesia. Stay hydrated and this will help mobilize toxins out of your body as well. In addition, I hope you can get to a chair (out of bed) and even practice standing up and ambulating a bit, over the next few days. When in the bed or chair, keep the ankles and toes moving, too. This can help increase circulation and diminish blood clot formation. Elevating and icing the knee can also help bring the swelling down and alleviate some of the pain.
I hope this helps. I hope you heal well and feel better soon.
David T. Neuman, MD FAAOS
Sports Medicine and Orthopedics
131 West 33rd St.
Suite 12E
New York, NY 10001
P: 212-813-3634
F: 212-857-9411
www.nysportscare.com
A total knee replacement is a big surgery and your body goes through breathing alterations and fluid shifts during this type of surgery. It is not uncommon to have an elevated temperature, chills, and sore throat. Did you have a tube placed in your throat for breathing (general anesthesia during the surgery)? If so, this can irritate the throat for a few days. Gargling with warm, (quite) salty water (swish and spit, 8-10 times after about 10 seconds of gargling) twice a day for 2-3 days can help. Breathing deeply and slowly (all the way in and then all the way out) can open up the lungs can clear out the toxins from the anesthesia. Stay hydrated and this will help mobilize toxins out of your body as well. In addition, I hope you can get to a chair (out of bed) and even practice standing up and ambulating a bit, over the next few days. When in the bed or chair, keep the ankles and toes moving, too. This can help increase circulation and diminish blood clot formation. Elevating and icing the knee can also help bring the swelling down and alleviate some of the pain.
I hope this helps. I hope you heal well and feel better soon.
David T. Neuman, MD FAAOS
Sports Medicine and Orthopedics
131 West 33rd St.
Suite 12E
New York, NY 10001
P: 212-813-3634
F: 212-857-9411
www.nysportscare.com
Be sure you are checked for bacterial infection.
