Prevention - Risk After Surgery, Injuries

Surgery and injuries increase DVT risk because of the damage done to blood vessels, which initiates blood clotting. And some procedures or injuries require people to be still or inactive for long periods as they recuperate, which also can increase the risk of clots. Surgeries that last longer than 4 hours or recuperation periods that require people to be off their feet for 72 consecutive hours or more increase DVT risk.

Your doctor will recommend procedures designed to reduce your risk of DVT and blood clots. For people with low risk, getting up and moving about soon after surgery or treatment may be enough to reduce risk. For others, a more advanced prevention system that includes anticoagulants and compression stockings or other devices to assist circulation post-surgery may be required.

In addition to making healthy everyday choices and following your healthcare provider's prevention plan, there are steps you can take to help reduce DVT risk before and after surgery and while recovering from injury.