Major Surgery
and Lowering Risks for Life-Threatening Blood Clots
Why does major orthopedic surgery increase the risk of blood clot?
Why does major orthopedic surgery increase the risk of blood clot?
A blood clot can complicate the recovery after a major orthopedic surgery such as a knee replacement or a hip fracture surgery.
A blood clot can complicate the recovery after a major orthopedic surgery such as a knee replacement or a hip fracture surgery.
Orthopedic patients are more likely to develop clots due to:
Orthopedic patients are more likely to develop clots due to:
- Blood clotting around the tissue and bone injury
- Injury to the blood vein
- Limited ability to move
How can I lower my risks during and after a major orthopedic surgery?
How can I lower my risks during and after a major orthopedic surgery?
Keep moving
Keep moving
Move as much as possible after your surgery and exercise as instructed by your healthcare provider to improve blood flow.
Move as much as possible after your surgery and exercise as instructed by your healthcare provider to improve blood flow.
Discuss Medication
Discuss Medication
Talk to your healthcare provider to find out if you should consider blood thinners after surgery.
Talk to your healthcare provider to find out if you should consider blood thinners after surgery.
Drink Water
Drink Water
Get enough hydration, especially if you’re immobile.
Get enough hydration, especially if you’re immobile.
Consider Compression
Consider Compression
Use graduated compression stockings if recommended by your healthcare provider. Ask about massaging compression devices if you’re lying down down for long periods.
Use graduated compression stockings if recommended by your healthcare provider. Ask about massaging compression devices if you’re lying down down for long periods.
Know The Symptoms
Know The Symptoms
Learn to recognize the symptoms of a dangerous blood clot and speak up if you notice anything that concerns you.
Learn to recognize the symptoms of a dangerous blood clot and speak up if you notice anything that concerns you.
Learn more about the symptoms of dangerous blood clot or VTE.
Learn more about the symptoms of dangerous blood clot or VTE.