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What Causes Red Spots On The Extremities While On Aspirin Post Knee Replacement?
Posted on
Sun, 4 Dec 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sun, 4 Dec 2016
Answered on
Tue, 27 Dec 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : My husband had knee replacement 10 weeks ago. for 6 weeks he was on 650mg of aspirin. He routinely takes 81 mg daily. Now he has developed tiny red spots on his extremities. what is causing this?
Brief Answer:
could be aspirin
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
obviously I can't diagnose anything without clinical examination but using aspirin at high doses (650mg is high enough) impairs platelet function and may contribute to such lesions. The tiny red spots are probably petechiae. Petechiae are caused by bleeding from small blood vessels of the skin. The defective platelets cannot form clots fast and red spots appear. Old age is another contributing factor.
In any case, you'd better show the lesions to his primary care physician or a dermatologist to get a diagnosis. Why did he take 650mg aspirin?
Kind Regards!
could be aspirin
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
obviously I can't diagnose anything without clinical examination but using aspirin at high doses (650mg is high enough) impairs platelet function and may contribute to such lesions. The tiny red spots are probably petechiae. Petechiae are caused by bleeding from small blood vessels of the skin. The defective platelets cannot form clots fast and red spots appear. Old age is another contributing factor.
In any case, you'd better show the lesions to his primary care physician or a dermatologist to get a diagnosis. Why did he take 650mg aspirin?
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Orthopedic surgeon made him take 650mg for 6 weeks after his total knee replacement. Stopped the 650 mg 3 weeks ago but have continued on his normal 81mg aspirin/day. I did question the surgeon but he said to make sure he took it for 6 weeks post op. I will check with pcp tomorrow.
Brief Answer:
they're petechiae
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the additional info. The second image is more clear. These lesions look like petechiae indeed. Aspirin can be the cause.
The surgeon probably prescribed aspirin to prevent thrombotic complications. I suppose your husband had contraindications for anticoagulation. Did you tell the surgeon about the red spots?
they're petechiae
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the additional info. The second image is more clear. These lesions look like petechiae indeed. Aspirin can be the cause.
The surgeon probably prescribed aspirin to prevent thrombotic complications. I suppose your husband had contraindications for anticoagulation. Did you tell the surgeon about the red spots?
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
No conversation with the surgeon. Spots just occurred this week. Will f/u with PCP to see if blood test is needed. also, has started to have nose bleeds in the past week. How long does it take for the effects of the high dose aspiring to ware off?
Brief Answer:
a few days, up to one week
Detailed Answer:
The platelets life span is only 10 days, so aspirin effects are usually fully reversed within 5 days. Nose bleeds are probably also related to aspirin. Other choices for prevention of thrombotic complications may also cause bleeding. Aspirin has done so already, so considering another option sounds like a good idea. I agree with your decision to visit the PCP.
Kind Regards!
a few days, up to one week
Detailed Answer:
The platelets life span is only 10 days, so aspirin effects are usually fully reversed within 5 days. Nose bleeds are probably also related to aspirin. Other choices for prevention of thrombotic complications may also cause bleeding. Aspirin has done so already, so considering another option sounds like a good idea. I agree with your decision to visit the PCP.
Kind Regards!
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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