How can blood clots be prevented after joint replacement surgery. What are the main treatment approaches for post-operative blood clots. When are patients at highest risk for developing deep vein thrombosis after surgery. Which anti-clotting medications are commonly prescribed for joint replacement patients.

Understanding the Risk of Blood Clots After Joint Replacement

Blood clots pose a significant risk for patients undergoing hip and knee replacement surgeries. The period of highest vulnerability for developing a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) typically occurs between 2 to 10 days post-surgery. However, patients remain at an elevated risk for approximately three months following the procedure.

Why does this heightened risk exist? The immobility following major joint surgery, combined with the body’s natural inflammatory response to the procedure, creates ideal conditions for blood clots to form. Understanding this risk is crucial for patients and healthcare providers to implement effective preventive measures.

Comprehensive Approaches to Blood Clot Prevention

Orthopedic surgeons typically employ a multi-faceted strategy to minimize the risk of blood clots after joint replacement surgery. This approach often combines:

• Early mobilization and physical therapy
• Use of compression stockings or devices
• Administration of anti-clotting medications

Each of these methods plays a vital role in promoting healthy blood circulation and reducing the likelihood of clot formation. Let’s explore each component in more detail.

The Crucial Role of Early Mobilization

Physical therapy typically begins the day after surgery and continues for several months. Why is early movement so important? It helps prevent blood from pooling in the legs, which can lead to clot formation. Physical therapists guide patients through specific exercises designed to:

• Restore joint range of motion
• Strengthen the lower body
• Improve circulation in deep veins

For knee replacement patients, some doctors may recommend the use of a continuous passive motion (CPM) machine. This device gently moves the knee through a preset range of motion, further promoting circulation and potentially reducing the risk of blood clots.

Mechanical Prevention Therapies: Compression Devices

Graduated compression stockings and pneumatic compression devices are commonly used after joint replacement surgery. How do these work to prevent blood clots?

Compression stockings are designed with graduated pressure, being tightest at the ankle and becoming looser higher up the leg. This graduated compression helps promote blood flow back towards the heart, preventing it from pooling in the legs where clots are more likely to form.

Pneumatic compression devices use air pumps to create a massaging effect on the legs. This mechanical action helps push blood out of the lower extremities and back to the heart, mimicking the natural muscle contractions that occur during movement.

Anti-Clotting Medications: A Crucial Component of Prevention

Anti-clotting medications, also known as anticoagulants or blood thinners, play a vital role in preventing and treating blood clots after joint replacement surgery. These medications work by interfering with the body’s clotting process, reducing the likelihood of dangerous clot formation.

Types of Anti-Clotting Medications

Several types of anticoagulants may be prescribed following joint replacement surgery:

1. Heparin: Available in standard and low molecular weight forms, administered via subcutaneous injection.
2. Warfarin: An oral medication taken once daily in pill form.
3. Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs): The newest class of anti-clotting medications, taken orally once or twice daily.

How long do patients typically need to take these medications? The duration of anticoagulant therapy can vary, but it often begins the day after surgery and continues throughout the hospital stay and into at-home rehabilitation. The specific medication and treatment duration are determined by the physician based on individual patient factors.

Choosing the Right Anti-Clotting Medication: Factors to Consider

Selecting the most appropriate anti-clotting medication involves careful consideration of several factors. What should patients and doctors discuss when making this decision?

• Efficacy in preventing blood clots
• Potential side effects and risks
• Ease of administration (oral vs. injectable)
• Need for regular blood testing and monitoring
• Dietary restrictions (particularly relevant for warfarin)
• Insurance coverage and cost considerations

Each type of anticoagulant has its own set of pros and cons. For instance, warfarin requires careful management of diet and regular blood testing, while newer DOACs generally don’t require these measures but may be more expensive. Discussing these factors with your healthcare provider can help ensure the most suitable choice for your individual circumstances.

Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Blood Clots

Despite preventive measures, it’s crucial for patients to remain vigilant about the potential signs of blood clots during their recovery period. Prompt recognition and treatment of blood clots can prevent potentially life-threatening complications.

Symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

DVT typically occurs in the legs or arms. What are the key signs to watch for?

• Swelling, usually affecting one limb
• Pain or tenderness not caused by injury
• Skin that feels warm to the touch
• Redness or discoloration of the skin

If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s crucial to contact your healthcare provider immediately for evaluation.

Symptoms of Pulmonary Embolism (PE)

A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot travels to the lungs, creating a potentially life-threatening situation. What are the warning signs of a PE?

• Sudden difficulty breathing
• Chest or back pain that worsens with deep breaths
• Coughing, possibly accompanied by blood

Given the serious nature of a pulmonary embolism, experiencing any of these symptoms warrants immediate medical attention or a call to emergency services.

The Importance of Ongoing Monitoring and Follow-up

Successfully preventing and managing blood clots after joint replacement surgery requires ongoing vigilance and follow-up care. How can patients ensure they’re staying on top of their health during the recovery period?

• Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments with your orthopedic surgeon
• Adhere strictly to your prescribed medication regimen
• Participate fully in recommended physical therapy sessions
• Monitor for any signs or symptoms of blood clots
• Maintain open communication with your healthcare team about any concerns

Regular monitoring allows for early detection of any potential complications and ensures that your recovery is progressing as expected. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns during your recovery period.

Lifestyle Factors That Can Influence Blood Clot Risk

While medical interventions play a crucial role in preventing blood clots after joint replacement surgery, certain lifestyle factors can also impact a patient’s risk. What lifestyle modifications can help reduce the likelihood of blood clot formation?

• Staying hydrated: Proper hydration helps maintain healthy blood flow
• Maintaining a healthy weight: Obesity is a known risk factor for blood clots
• Avoiding prolonged periods of inactivity: Move regularly, even if it’s just simple exercises while seated
• Quitting smoking: Smoking increases the risk of blood clots and can impair healing
• Managing chronic conditions: Conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure can increase clot risk

Implementing these lifestyle changes, in conjunction with medical treatments, can significantly contribute to a safer and smoother recovery process after joint replacement surgery.

Emerging Technologies and Future Directions in Blood Clot Prevention

As medical science advances, new approaches to preventing and treating blood clots after joint replacement surgery continue to emerge. What promising developments are on the horizon?

• Improved risk assessment tools: Advanced algorithms and genetic testing may help identify patients at highest risk for clots
• Novel anticoagulants: Research is ongoing to develop new blood thinners with improved efficacy and safety profiles
• Enhanced mechanical prevention devices: Next-generation compression devices may offer more personalized and effective clot prevention
• Minimally invasive surgical techniques: These may reduce tissue damage and inflammation, potentially lowering clot risk

While these advancements hold promise, it’s important to note that current prevention strategies remain highly effective when properly implemented. Patients should work closely with their healthcare providers to stay informed about the most appropriate and up-to-date treatments for their individual situations.

Understanding the risks, prevention strategies, and treatment options for blood clots after hip and knee replacement surgery is crucial for optimal recovery. By combining medical interventions, lifestyle modifications, and vigilant monitoring, patients can significantly reduce their risk of this potentially serious complication. Remember, open communication with your healthcare team and adherence to prescribed treatments are key factors in ensuring a safe and successful recovery from joint replacement surgery.

Prevention and Treatment of Blood Clots after Hip and Knee Replacement Surgery

Taking steps for the prevention and treatment of blood clots after hip and knee replacement surgery is an important part of your recovery. Joint replacement patients are at highest risk for developing a DVT two to 10 days after surgery, and remain at risk for approximately three months.
To prevent the occurrence of a blood clot, your doctor will likely prescribe a combination of treatment approaches for you, which may include:

• Exercise/physical therapy beginning the first day after surgery and continuing for several months
• Compression stockings
• Anti-clotting medicine to reduce the body’s ability to form blood clots

Exercise or Physical Therapy

You will likely work with a physical therapist to perform specific exercises that are designed to restore joint range of motion, strengthen your lower body, and improve circulation in your deep veins. For knee replacement, your doctor may recommend the use of a continuous passive motion (CPM) machine that slowly moves your knee.

Mechanical Prevention Therapies

Graduated compression stockings are graded (they are tight at the ankle and become looser higher up on the leg). There are also pneumatic, or mechanical, compression devices available. The compression action is thought to help circulation and reduce the risk of blood clots by preventing blood from pooling in the veins. Your doctor may prescribe compression stockings for you to wear or provide details about what to purchase over-the-counter. Your doctor may also prescribe pneumatic compression devices that use air pumps to massage blood out of the lower leg and back to the heart, similar to compression stockings. These devices are also thought to reduce the chances of a blood clot by keeping blood from pooling in the legs where a blood clot can form.

Anti-Clotting Medicine

An anti-clotting medication may be prescribed to prevent blood clots and to treat them. This class of drug is referred to as an anticoagulant, or blood thinner.

Joint replacement patients typically begin to receive anti-clotting medicine the day after surgery, continuing throughout their hospital stay and into at-home rehabilitation. The length of your treatment with anti-clotting medicine and the type of medication you are prescribed will be determined by your physician and a variety of factors.

There are several types of drugs that fall into the anti-clotting medicine category:

• Heparin: Standard heparin and low molecular weight heparin are given by an injection under the skin. You may be able to give yourself the injections, or have a visiting nurse administer them.
• Warfarin: Your doctor may prescribe warfarin instead of heparin or low molecular weight heparin for blood clot prevention. Warfarin is taken orally in pill form once daily.
• Direct Oral Anticoagulants: These drugs are the newest type of anti-clotting medicines and are available in a pill form, which are also taken orally once or twice daily depending upon which medication you are prescribed by your doctor.

You and your doctor should review your treatment options together, along with their pros and cons and possible side effects. Some of the drugs require adherence to a schedule, careful management of your diet, and regular blood testing. All of this can be managed, but should be considered, along with your insurance coverage for the medication, when selecting a treatment options. Click here for more specifics about the use of each type of medicine.

Blood Clot Signs and Symptoms

While you are recovering from your joint replacement surgery, be on the lookout for possible blood clots and contact your physician immediately if you experience any of the signs or symptoms of a blood clot.

Symptoms of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT or blood clots in your leg or arm)

• Swelling, usually in one leg (or arm)
• Pain or tenderness not caused by an injury – it often feel like a leg cramp that will not go away
• Skin that is warm to the touch
• Redness in skin

If you experience any of these symptoms, call a doctor as soon as you can.  

Symptoms of Pulmonary Embolism (PE or blood clots in your lungs)

• Difficulty breathing
• Chest or back pain that worsens with a deep breath
• Coughing, or coughing up blood

A PE can be fatal, if you experience any of these symptoms, call 9-1-1 or seek immediate medical attention.

NBCA’s Stop the Clot® THA/TKA Patient Toolkit was made possible by an educational grant provided by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

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Blood Clots in Orthopedic Surgery Fact Sheet

DVT and PE Incidence and Impact

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT or blood clots in the leg or arm) and pulmonary embolism (PE or blood clots in the lung) are often under-diagnosed and serious, but preventable medical conditions.

It is estimated that up to 600,000 people in the United States are affected by blood clots each year, and that up to 100,000 Americans die each year due to a blood clot in the lung.

10 to 30 percent of people affected by PE will die within one month of diagnosis.

In about 25 percent of people who experience a PE, the first symptom is sudden death.

Among people who have had a DVT, one-third will have long-term complications (post-thrombotic syndrome) such as swelling, pain, discoloration, and scaling in the affected limb.

One-third (about 33 percent) of people who are diagnosed with blood clots will have a recurrence within ten years.

Blood Clots in Orthopedic Surgery Fact Sheet

In orthopedics, joint replacement surgery is becoming more common. Orthopedic surgeons performed about 520,000 hip replacements and about 581,000 knee replacements in 2006.

DVT is widely recognized as a major risk factor facing patients who undergo total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Without prophylaxis (preventive treatment), up to 80 percent of orthopedic surgical patients will develop DVT, and 10 to 20 percent will develop PE.

Even when proper prevention measures are taken, it is estimated that 3 percent of orthopedic surgical patients will develop DVT, and 1.5 percent will develop PE.

DVT and PE remain the most common cause for emergency re-admission and death following joint replacement surgeries.

NBCA DVT and PE Awareness Survey

The NBCA DVT and PE Awareness Survey was conducted to:

• Document self-reported prophylaxis treatment among THA/TKA surgeons
• Measure THA/TKA surgeon perceptions about anticoagulant treatment barriers
• Benchmark DVT and PE awareness among THA/TKA patients
• Measure THA/TKA patient perceptions about anticoagulation barriers

The National Blood Clot Alliance conducted an online survey of 200 US orthopedic surgeons who perform hip and knee replacements. Mean procedure volume for these surgeons was 76 annually. For comparison, an online survey among 250 patients, over 20 years old (20 to 80 plus years old, the mean age being 54 years old; 55 percent female) who had undergone THA/TKA surgery within 12 months of sampling also was conducted.

The THA/TKA surgeon survey consisted of 67 questions along three different paths:

• General DVT prophylaxis preferences in THA/TKA
• Specific DVT prophylaxis practices/perceptions related to warfarin and low molecular weight heparin
• Information provision to THA/TKA patients/families

The THA/TKA patient survey consisted of 62 questions along four different paths:

• Awareness of DVT and PE
• Information received from healthcare professionals about DVT and PE
• Prophylaxis experiences related to DVT and PE
• Adherence to anticoagulation

Key Survey Findings among THA/TKA Surgeons: General DVT/PE Prophylaxis Preferences

99 percent of THA/TKA surgeons surveyed report routine use of DVT and PE prevention practices for most THA/TKA patients.

71 percent of surgeons surveyed prefer AAOS guidelines

Key Survey Findings Among THA/TKA Surgeons and Patients: Information Provision

97 percent of surgeons surveyed report they provide DVT risk information to THA/TKA patients all or most of the time.

THA/TKA patients say doctors and health care providers (HCPs) in orthopedics provide information about blood clot risk (80 percent) and consequences of blood clot formation (74 percent), but patient awareness is low.

Key Survey Findings Among THA/TKA Patients: DVT and PE Awareness

Among all THA/TKA patients surveyed, 71 percent and 79 percent had not heard of a condition called DVT or PE, respectively, when these specific terms were used.

While THA/TKA patients have a very low awareness of DVT and PE, the survey showed that most patients (77 percent) do know what a blood clot is, and virtually all respondents (97 percent) recognize that blood clots can be life threatening.

Key Survey Findings Among THA/TKA Patients: Information

When asked how they acquire medical information, the top responses were: from their doctor (84 percent), from the Internet (71 percent), from nurses (38 percent) and from family members (22 percent) and health advocacy organizations (22 percent).

Nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of THA/TKA patients said they did not receive additional information or referral to additional information from doctors or HCPs about blood clot risks related to THA/TKA surgery.  Among the 39 percent of THA/TKA patients who did receive educational material or were referred to educational materials, brochures were most common among the materials they received.  When asked to rate such materials, more than 80 percent of these same respondents cited CDs, DVDs, and Web sites as “very useful.”

Key Survey Findings Among THA/TKA Patients: Prophylaxis

Patient-reported experiences with prophylaxis varied widely: 83 percent ambulation, 74 percent compression stockings, 57 percent mechanical compression, 58 percent anticoagulant pill, 46 percent anticoagulant injection, 42 percent aspirin.

Risk Factors for DVT and PE Include:

High Risk

• Hospital Stay
• Major surgery, such as abdominal/pelvic surgery
• Knee or hip replacement
• Major trauma
• Nursing home living
• Leg paralysis

Moderate Risk

• Older than age 65
• Trips of more than four hours by plane, car, train or bus
• Active cancer, chemotherapy
• Bone fracture or cast
• Estrogen-based birth control pills, patch, or ring
• Hormone therapy
• Pregnancy or recently gave birth
• Prior blood clot or family history of a clot
• Heart failure
• Bed rest for more than three days
• Obesity
• Genetic/hereditary or acquired blood clotting disorder

Signs and Symptoms of DVT and PE Include:

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT or blood clot in the leg or arm)

• Swelling, usually in one leg
• Leg pain or tenderness
• Reddish or bluish skin discoloration
• Leg warm to touch

These symptoms of a blood clot may feel similar to a pulled muscle or a “Charlie horse,” but may differ in that the leg (or arm) may be swollen, slightly discolored, and warm.

Contact your doctor as soon as you can if you have these symptoms, because you may need treatment right away.

Pulmonary embolism (PE or blood clot in the lung)

• Sudden shortness of breath
• Chest pain-sharp, stabbing; may get worse with deep breath
• Rapid heart rate
• Unexplained cough, sometimes with bloody mucus

Call an ambulance or 911 immediately for treatment in the ER if you experience these PE symptoms.

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Postoperative deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities. Diagnostic value of ultrasound scanning | Kirienko A.I., Tsitsiashvili M.Sh., Agafonov V.F.

O Acute thrombosis of the inferior vena cava system is a dangerous disease that threatens the development of pulmonary embolism (PE), the lethality of which reaches 30% [1]. Among the etiological factors of this severe complication, an important place is occupied by postoperative venous thrombosis, the prevention of which eliminates not only the risk of pulmonary embolism, but also chronic venous insufficiency in the long term. How often does thrombosis complicate the course of the postoperative period? How real is this danger? The answer to these questions determines the attitude of surgeons to the problem of postoperative venous thromboembolic complications and their activity in carrying out the necessary preventive measures.

Information about the frequency of postoperative thrombosis is very contradictory [3, 4]. Based on clinical data alone, it appears to be negligible. However, deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities that occurs after various surgical interventions is characterized by an asymptomatic course. Sometimes the first and only manifestation of such thrombosis may be fatal PE. This circumstance explains the extremely high percentage of massive embolism undiagnosed during life (up to 50% or more).

When using the test with labeled fibrinogen after surgery, venous thrombosis in high-risk groups is detected in 66% of cases after oncological operations and up to 90% after orthopedic interventions [2]. Most postoperative thrombosis is localized in the deep veins of the leg. The test with labeled I ¹²⁵ fibrinogen is the most informative for such localization of thrombosis [5]. It allows you to detect even small forming blood clots in the valvular sinuses. At the same time, such thrombosis in itself does not pose a serious threat to the life and health of patients. It becomes dangerous only with common forms of the thrombotic process, which can be detected using phlebography and ultrasound duplex scanning.

An X-ray contrast study in the immediate postoperative period in patients without any clinical symptoms is not justified due to its invasive nature and possible complications. Clinically significant venous thromboses can now be successfully detected using ultrasound duplex angioscanning [2]. The possibility of early detection of embolic venous thrombosis using a non-invasive ultrasound method prompted us to conduct this study in order to assess their frequency in the immediate postoperative period.

Purpose of the study: to study the incidence of asymptomatic clinically significant acute thrombosis in the inferior vena cava system in patients with moderate and high risk of thrombosis who underwent surgical interventions on the organs of the abdominal cavity and small pelvis.

Materials and methods . On the basis of surgical hospitals of the City Clinical Hospital No. N.I. Pirogov and City Clinical Hospital No. 57 of Moscow examined 45 patients who underwent elective (21) and emergency (24) operations on the organs of the abdominal cavity and small pelvis. Their average age was 54 years (from 23 to 74 years).

The criteria for selecting patients for the study were moderate and high risk of developing venous thromboembolic complications according to the scheme recommended by the meeting of Russian experts (Table 1).

Of the 45 patients included in the study, 24 had a moderate degree of risk and 20 had a high risk: 24 patients were assigned to group IIB, 15 to IIIB, 2 patients each to IIIA and IIIC, and 1 to IIC.

The nature and volume of surgical interventions performed for this contingent are presented in Table 2.

All patients underwent ultrasound angioscanning with color Doppler mapping before the operation and 8–10 days after it. The studies were carried out using ACUSON 128/XP10 (USA) and LOGIQ 500 (USA) ultrasonic devices equipped with 4.0 MHz, 5.0 MHz, 7.0 MHz, and 10.0 MHz multifrequency transducers and an option for color Doppler mapping. Such sensors with such a high echo frequency make it possible to study in sufficient detail both the deep and superficial venous systems of the lower extremities and most reliably assess the nature of the blood flow.

Examined patients received non-specific measures to prevent venous thrombosis (elastic compression of the lower extremities, adequate hydration, early activation). Prophylactic administration of heparin to this group of patients was not carried out.

Results . The conducted studies revealed 5 (11.1%) cases of acute deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities in patients who underwent cholecystectomy (4) and resection of the small intestine with a strangulated hernia (1). Of these, 3 – thrombosis of the veins of the lower leg, 1 – popliteal and 1 – superficial femoral veins. Only one of the operated patients complained of pain in the affected limb. All these patients were in advanced age (from 65 to 70 years), had comorbidities (ischemic heart disease, hypertension and gastric ulcer and 12 duodenal ulcer). Three of them were classified as moderate risk, two as high risk. According to emergency indications, 4 patients were operated on, 1 – in a planned manner. All surgical interventions were performed under endotracheal anesthesia. The average duration of the operation was 125 minutes.

Our data showed that 11% of operated patients with a moderate and high risk of developing postoperative thromboembolic complications develop clinically significant deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities, and in most cases they are asymptomatic.

Thus, today ultrasonic angioscanning is the most acceptable method for diagnosing acute venous thrombosis in terms of accuracy and reliability, in most cases successfully competing with other methods for detecting venous lesions. Simplicity, non-invasiveness and the possibility of repeated use, even in a serious condition of the patient, create real conditions for the widespread use of this method in order to detect acute phlebothrombosis in the examination of postoperative patients.

The results of our study indicate that for the timely detection of asymptomatic acute venous thrombosis in the system of the inferior vena cava, dynamic duplex scanning in the early postoperative period is fundamentally indicated for all patients with moderate and high risk of venous thromboembolic complications.

On the other hand, the fact that every tenth such patient, who is in a general surgical hospital, has fairly common thrombosis in the system of the inferior vena cava indicates a real danger. The non-specific preventive measures taken by them are ineffective. The data obtained clearly indicate the need for the use of anticoagulant agents in such situations. Our experience shows the expediency of prescribing low molecular weight heparin. Preventive use enoxaparin reduces the incidence of postoperative venous thrombosis by 4 times compared with the group without anticoagulant prophylaxis and 2 times compared with patients who received unfractionated heparin.

1. Saveliev V.S. Postoperative venous thromboembolic complications: fatal inevitability or controlled danger? Surgery 1999, no. 6, p. 60–63.

2. Saveliev V.S. Phlebology. Guide for doctors. M., “Medicine”, 2001, 660 p.

3. Baker W.F.Jr, Burn P.R., Blunt D.M., et al. The radiological investigation of suspected lower limb deep vein thrombosis. Clin Radiol, 1997 Aug, 52:8, 625–8.

4. Barnes R.W., Wu K.K., Hoak J.C. Fallability of the clinical diagnosis of venous thrombosis. JAMA 1975;234:605.

5. Franc C., Kakkar V.V., Clarke M.B. The detection of venous thrombosis in the legs using I-125 labeled fibrinogen. – Brit. J. Surg., 1968, v. 55, No. 10, p. 742–747.

is it possible to do arthroplasty for varicose veins?

Previously, excessive body fat, coronary artery disease, impaired pumping function of the heart and venous outflow in the legs were considered factors that increase the risk of joint replacement. Recent scientific studies have shown that the presence of concomitant pathology in patients is in no way associated with the frequency of formation of blood clots in the blood vessels.

Varicose veins and excess weight are not the cause of thromboembolism. The main risk factor in joint prosthetics is a violation of blood clotting, which can occur during surgery. The decision to install an implant is made by the surgeon, focusing on the severity of vascular diseases, the severity of symptoms and the general health of the patient.

When replacing large joints, which include the knee and hip, the risk of thrombosis is quite high. This is due to the fact that blood clotting prevails over the processes of dissolution of blood clots and blood clots. Since massive damage to bone and soft tissues occurs as a result of arthroplasty, the activity of the blood coagulation system increases.

Is it possible to replace a joint in case of varicose veins?

The presence of venous disease is not a contraindication to surgery. Despite the possibility of certain difficulties during and after the operation, it is possible to replace the joint with an artificial one if you choose the right clinic. The Ural Center for Endoprosthetics uses the correct examination algorithms and management tactics for this category of patients.

Preliminary preparation for surgery is of great importance. Patients with varicose veins and venous insufficiency are prescribed special drugs to prevent the formation of blood clots and conduct a course of therapy for blood vessels. Ultrasound, radionuclide methods and rheovasography of the lower extremities are used to assess the state of the vessels.

Precautions after surgery

To prevent blood clots, it is very important to wear compression stockings of the correct compression class. Such underwear is purchased after consultation with a specialist who determines the degree of varicose veins and the stage of venous insufficiency. The minimum duration of wearing compression underwear is 1 month from the date of surgery.

You should pay attention to the diet and add to it foods containing a lot of fiber, vitamin C and routine. Meat is better to replace with fish and seafood. They help produce elastin, which is very useful for the walls of blood vessels. It is recommended to drink green tea and natural compotes and fruit drinks.

To return to a normal lifestyle and not experience pain when moving, a joint replacement is necessary. Vein diseases are not a reason to refuse surgery! It is enough to choose the right medical institution where the prevention of blood clots in the early postoperative period is carried out.