After orthopedic hardware removal: When to call
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- You passed out (lost consciousness).
- You have severe trouble breathing.
- You have sudden chest pain and shortness of breath, or you cough up blood.
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- You have pain that does not get better after you take pain medicine.
- You have symptoms of infection, such as:
- Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
- Red streaks leading from the incision.
- Pus draining from the incision.
- A fever.
- You have symptoms of a blood clot, such as:
- Pain in your calf, back of the knee, thigh, or groin.
- Swelling in the leg or groin.
- A color change on the leg or groin. The skin may be reddish or purplish, depending on your usual skin color.
- You have new or worse nausea or vomiting.
- You are too sick to your stomach to drink any fluids.
- You cannot keep down fluids.
- You have a cast or splint and:
- Your fingers or toes on the injured arm or leg are cool, pale, or change color.
- You have tingling or numbness in your fingers or toes.
- You cannot move your fingers or toes.
- Your cast or splint feels too tight.
- The skin under your cast or splint is burning or stinging.
- You have drainage or a bad smell coming from the cast or splint.
Watch closely for any changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
- You have any problems with your cast or splint.