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ask
theexperts
Q&A
Q
I’m worried about deep vein
thrombosis and blood clots.
How do I know if I’m at risk?
A
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
occurs when blood clots form
in the legs and block circulation. The
clots can lodge in your brain, heart or
lungs, causing damage or even death.
You may be at risk for a DVT blood
clot if you:
•
Recently broke a bone or had hip or
knee replacement surgery
•
Are age 60 or older
•
Have a family history of blood clots
•
Have or have had cancer
•
Had a major surgery lasting more
than 45 minutes
•
Are on bed rest
•
Have central venous access, a tube
in a blood vessel in your neck or
chest that delivers medicine directly
to the heart
Ask your doctor about other risk
factors or conditions that may predispose
you to DVT. He or she can offer
suggestions for prevention too.
Health and Wellness Advice from AAMC
BLOOD CLOTS
JOINTS
DRUG ABUSE
Terry Everhart, M.D.,
of South River Family
Medicine, is a
board-certified family
physician. For an
appointment, call
410-956-4911
.
Stephen Faust, M.D.,
of the Orthopaedic &
Sports Medicine Center,
is a board-certified
orthopedic surgeon.
For a consultation,
call
410-268-8862
.
Rhonda Allen, M.D.,
is
the medical director
of Pathways Alcohol
& Drug Rehabilitation
Center. For more
information on Pathways,
call
410-573-5400
.
Q
My doctor mentioned something
called anterior hip replacement.
What advantages does it offer over
traditional hip replacement?
A
Using an anterior (front) approach
can lead to a faster recovery with less
postoperative pain.
A state-of-the-art surgical table (the
hana table) helps surgeons get a better,
more direct approach to the hip, leading
to less muscle damage.
The table also makes it easier to take
x-rays during surgery, which helps
surgeons align the implant and improves
other technical aspects of the procedure.
This less invasive approach is what makes
the quicker recovery possible.
As with any medical procedure, there
are risks involved and what works for
one person may not work for another.
Therefore, be sure to talk with your doctor
to make sure you understand your options.
If your surgeon recommends the anterior
approach, ask him or her what will happen
during the procedure and about his or her
experience performing the surgery.
Q
I’ve heard about the drugs “spice”
and “bath salts.” As a parent, what
signs should I watch for?
A
Spice and bath salts are growing
in popularity among teenagers.
They have also been linked to multiple
teen deaths. These synthetic drugs were
originally sold legally throughout the U.S.,
but they were banned last December.
Bath salts come in a small package
designed to make them look like a bath
product. Bath salts, a synthetic powder,
have a similar effect to cocaine and
methamphetamine: rapid heartbeat,
increased body temperature, chest pain, and
even seizures. Spice is a form of synthetic
marijuana, also called K2 or moon rocks.
It causes a similar high to marijuana:
change in mood and perception, rapid
heart rate, agitation, and hallucinations.
Watch for any of the above symptoms in
your teen. And if your teen has small black
or silver packages with any of the above
names, ask him or her about them. If you
have questions, call Pathways Alcohol &
Drug Treatment at
410-573-5400
.
Additional source: Coalition to Prevent Deep-Vein
Thrombosis:
preventdvt.org
Additional sources: American Academy of
Orthopaedic Surgeons; American Association
of Hip and Knee Surgeons
Additional sources:
drugfree.org
; ABC News
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to call, free, reliable health care information from askAAMC is available at
443-481-4000
.