Aims. The purpose of this article was to review the current literature pertaining to the use of mobile compression devices (MCDs) for venous thromboembolism (VTE) following total joint arthroplasty (TJA), and to discuss the results of data from our institution. Patients and Methods. Previous studies have illustrated higher rates of post-operative wound complications, re-operation and re-admission with the use of more aggressive anticoagulation regimens, such as warfarin and factor Xa inhibitors. This highlights the importance of the safety, as well as efficacy, of the chemoprophylactic regimen. Results. Studies have shown a symptomatic VTE rate of 0.92% with use of MCDs for prophylaxis, which is comparable with rates seen with more aggressive anticoagulation protocols. A prior prospective study found that use of a pre-operative risk stratification protocol based on personal history of deep vein thrombosis, family history of VTE, active cancer, or a hypercoaguable state allowed for the avoidance of aggressive prophylactic anticoagulation in over 70% of patients while maintaining a low incidence of symptomatic VTE. Conclusion. Further investigation is needed into the role of aspirin in VTE prophylaxis as well as the efficacy of MCDs as stand-alone prophylactic treatment. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B(1 Supple A):8–13

Objectives. The length of the tourniquet time during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is related to the incidence of post-operative deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Our aim in this study was to investigate the effect of the early release of the tourniquet on the incidence of DVT in patients undergoing TKA. Methods. A total of 200 patients who underwent TKA between November 2015 and November 2016 were prospectively enrolled. The tourniquet was inflated before surgery and released immediately after the introduction of the components (early release group). This group was compared with a retrospective cohort of 200 primary TKAs, in which the tourniquet was released after the dressings had been applied (late release group). The presence of a DVT was detected using bilateral lower limb ultrasonography. Peri-operative clinical and follow-up data were collected for analysis. Results. The incidence of DVT in the early release group (9 of 196, 4.6%) was significantly lower compared with the late release group (24 of 200, 12%; odds ratio (OR) 0.35, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.16 to 0.78, p = 0.008). The incidence of proximal DVT in the early release group (1 of 196 (0.5%)) was significantly lower than in the late release group (8 of 196, 4%; OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.99, p = 0.020). Although the mean intra-operative blood loss was higher in the early release group, the mean post-operative drainage, total blood loss, transfusion requirements and complications were not significantly different in the two groups. Conclusion. In patients who undergo TKA, releasing the tourniquet early is associated with a decreased incidence of DVT, without increasing the rate of complications. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2017;6:535–541

Deep vein thrombosis is uncommon in children but can occur given certain circumstances. Protein C deficiency has recently been described in a child with deep vein thrombosis complicating septic arthritis. We present four case reports of children who developed deep vein thrombosis in association with musculoskeletal sepsis. All had evidence of musculoskeletal sepsis and thrombosis. One child died. Prothrombotic screens were performed demonstrating normal haematological parameters in the three surviving children. The high mortality of deep vein thrombosis complicating musculoskeletal sepsis is emphasised, particularly the potential for septic embolic complications. Deep vein thrombosis should be considered in any child with musculoskeletal sepsis and generalised limb swelling. Early recognition and treatment can lead to favourable outcomes

The incidence of deep vein thrombosis in 244 patients who had total knee replacement has been studied. In 120 the prosthesis was cemented and in 124 it was cementless. In all cases the replacement was primary and a porous-coated prosthesis with a porous-coated central tibial stem was used. Deep vein thrombosis was diagnosed by venography, and pulmonary embolism by perfusion scanning. The incidence of deep vein thrombosis in the cementless knees (23.8%) and in the cemented (25%) was approximately the same. The only significant predisposing factors for deep vein thrombosis in both groups were obesity, prolonged postoperative immobilisation, previous venous disease and hyperlipidaemia

The effect of hypobaric spinal anaesthesia or narcotic-halothane-relaxant general anaesthesia on the incidence of postoperative deep vein thrombosis was studied in 140 elective total hip replacements in a prospective randomised manner. Deep vein thrombosis was diagnosed using impedance plethysmography and the 125I fibrinogen uptake test, combined, in selected cases, with ascending contrast venography. The overall incidence of deep vein thrombosis was 20%. Nine patients (13%) developed deep vein thrombosis in the spinal group and nineteen (27%) in the general anaesthetic group (p less than 0.05). The incidences of proximal thrombosis and of bilateral thrombi were also less with spinal anaesthesia than with general anaesthesia. It is concluded that spinal anaesthesia reduces the risks of postoperative thromboembolism in hip replacement surgery. The presence of varicose veins, being a non-smoker and having a low body mass index were associated with an increased incidence of deep vein thrombosis

A study of the natural history and aetiology of deep vein thrombosis in 499 patients after total hip replacement is presented. Deep vein thrombosis was diagnosed by scanning the leg for 125Iodine-labelled fibrinogen for a period of 14 to 18 days and by ascending phlebography. It has been shown that deep vein thrombosis occurs ater than in patients who have undergone abdominal operations, and the risk period is longer. The peak of onset of thrombosis is on the fourth day after the hip replacement. Attempts at prophylaxis using subcutaneous heparin or intermittent pneumatic compression of the calves delay the appearance of thrombosis. Analysis of possible aetiology factors shows that the age of the patient, the degenerative disease of the hip, the surgical approach, and under-transfusion of blood, all have a significant effect on the incidence of thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis remains a significant and common complication following joint replacement and debate exists over which contributing factors are important. This study investigates the effect of a number of variables on the incidence of symptomatic deep vein thrombosis in knee arthroplasty surgery. Data was collected prospectively on 3449 knee replacements including procedure type, tourniquet time, surgeon, patient age, and gender. These variables were assessed by the use of generalised linear modelling against the presence or absence of symptomatic deep vein thrombosis demonstrated on duplex ultrasonography. The overall deep vein thrombosis rate was 1.6%. The only variable which had an association with confirmed symptomatic DVT was operation type with total knee replacements having a higher incidence than unicompartmental knee replacements (2.2% vs 0.3% p=0.0003). Tourniquet time did not exhibit a statistically significant effect (p=0.63) These data show that the DVT rate in unicompartmental knee replacement is statistically significantly lower than that of total knee replacement. They do not support the notion that increased tourniquet time is associated with an increased risk of DVT

Deep vein thrombosis is a common complication of immobilising the lower limb after surgery. We hypothesised that intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) therapy in outpatients who had undergone surgical repair of acute ruptures of the Achilles tendon could reduce the incidence of this problem. A total of 150 patients who had undergone surgical repair of the Achilles tendon were randomised to either treatment with IPC for six hours per day (n = 74) under an orthosis or treatment as usual (n = 74) in a plaster cast without IPC. At two weeks post-operatively, the incidence of deep vein thrombosis was assessed using blinded, double-reported compression duplex ultrasound. At this point, IPC was discontinued and all patients were immobilised in an orthosis for a further four weeks. At six weeks post-operatively, a second compression duplex ultrasound scan was performed. At two weeks, the incidence of deep vein thrombosis was 21% in the treated group and 37% in the control group (p = 0.042). Age over 39 years was found to be a strong risk factor for deep vein thrombosis (odds ratio (OR) = 4.84, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.14 to 10.96). Treatment with IPC, corrected for age differences between groups, reduced the risk of deep vein thrombosis at the two-week point (OR = 2.60; 95% CI 1.15 to 5.91; p =0.022). At six weeks, the incidence of deep vein thrombosis was 52% in the treated group and 48% in the control group (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.49 to 1.83). IPC appears to be an effective method of reducing the risk of deep vein thrombosis in the early stages of post-operative immobilisation of outpatients. Further research is necessary to elucidate whether it can confer similar benefits over longer periods of immobilisation and in a more heterogeneous group of patients. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:675–80

The incidence of venous thromboembolism after elective knee surgery has previously been studied almost exclusively in patients receiving total knee replacements, in whom the risk of a deep vein thrombosis is approximately 60%. We report the results of ipsilateral ascending venography in 312 patients undergoing a wide variety of elective knee operations under tourniquet ischaemia, none of whom received any specific prophylaxis against thromboembolism. Total knee replacement was confirmed to carry a high risk with ipsilateral deep vein thrombosis in 56.4% and symptomatic pulmonary embolism in 1.9%. By contrast, arthroscopy was associated with a low incidence of venous thrombosis (4.2%). Meniscectomy, arthrotomy, patellectomy, synovectomy and arthrodesis were all high-risk procedures, particularly in patients over 40 years of age, and were associated with deep vein thrombosis rates of 25% to 67%. On the basis of these findings, we advise prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism in all patients over 40 years of age undergoing elective knee surgery other than arthroscopy

Aims. The aims of this study were to assess the pre- and postoperative incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) using routine duplex Doppler ultrasound (DUS), to assess the incidence of pulmonary embolism (PE) using CT angiography, and to identify the factors that predict postoperative DVT in patients with a pelvic and/or acetabular fracture. Methods. All patients treated surgically for a pelvic and/or acetabular fracture between October 2016 and January 2020 were enrolled into this prospective single-centre study. The demographic, medical, and surgical details of the patients were recorded. DVT screening of the lower limbs was routinely performed using DUS before and at six to ten days after surgery. CT angiography was used in patients who were suspected of having PE. Age-adjusted univariate and stepwise multiple logistic regression analysis were used to determine the association between explanatory variables and postoperative DVT. Results. A total of 191 patients were included. A DVT was found preoperatively in 12 patients (6.3%), of which six were proximal. A postoperative DVT was found in 42 patients (22%), of which 27 were proximal. Eight patients (4.2%) had a PE, which was secondary to a DVT in three. None of the 12 patients in whom a vena cava filter was implanted prophylactically had a PE. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the association with the need for spinal surgery (odds ratio (OR) 19.78 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12 to 348.08); p = 0.041), intramedullary nailing of a long bone fracture (OR 4.44 (95% CI 1.05 to 18.86); p = 0.043), an operating time > two hours (OR 3.28 (95% CI 1.09 to 9.88); p = 0.035), and additional trauma surgery (OR 3.1 (95% CI 1.03 to 9.45); p = 0.045) were statistically the most relevant independent predictors of a postoperative DVT. Conclusion. The acknowledgement of the risk factors for the development of a DVT and their weight is crucial to set a threshold for the index of suspicion for this diagnosis by medical staff. We suggest the routine use of the DUS screening for DVT in patients with a pelvic and/or acetabular fracture before and six to ten days after surgery. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;104-B(2):283–289

Aims. Patients with an acute Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) take a long time to heal, have a high incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and widely variable functional outcomes. This variation in outcome may be explained by a lack of knowledge of adverse factors, and a subsequent shortage of appropriate interventions. . Patients and Methods. A total of 111 patients (95 men, 16 women; mean age 40.3, standard deviation 8.4) with an acute total ATR were prospectively assessed. At one year post-operatively a uniform outcome score, Achilles Combined Outcome Score (ACOS), was obtained by combining three validated, independent, outcome measures: Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score, heel-rise height test, and limb symmetry heel-rise height. Predictors of ACOS included treatment; gender; age; smoking; body mass index; time to surgery; physical activity level pre- and post-injury; symptoms; quality of life and incidence of DVT. . Results. There were three independent variables that correlated significantly with the dichotomised outcome score (ACOS), while there was no correlation with other factors. An age of less than 40 years old was the strongest independent predictor of a good outcome one year after ATR (odds ratio (OR) 0.20, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.08 to 0.51), followed by female gender (OR) 4.18, 95% CI 1.01 to 17.24). Notably, patients who did not have a DVT while immobilised post-operatively had a better outcome (OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.80). . Conclusion. Over the age of 40 years, male gender and having a DVT while immobilised are independent negative predictors of outcome in patients with an acute ATR. . Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:1635–41

INTRODUCTION. Venous thromboembolism (VTE), especially, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in lower extremities, often seriously combined with pulmonary embolism (PE), is a major and critical complication after total hip arthroplasty (THA). For better disgonsis of VTEs, D-dimer test is one of the useful methods. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of D-dimer levels before THA. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Medical records of patients with osteoarthritis who received THA between April 2009 and March 2010 were reviewed. Value of D-dimer at preoperative day 1, postoperative day 3 and 14 was examined in those patients. D-dimer levels were examined by Latex Immunity Nephelometry Measurement Method and the Kit (Sysmex Corporation, Kobe, Japan). A total of 327 patients with D-dimer values were examined. The values D-dimer of the available patients were under 1.0 μg/ml. Ninety-nine patients (30%) had a high D-dimer level. DVT was diagnosed by doppler ultrasonography at preoperative day 1, postoperative day 3 and 14. The sensitivity and specificity of D-dimer in different cutoffs were verified by Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve. The ROC curve was constructed to describe the relationship between the sensitivity and the false positive rate for different values of D-dimer to patients suspected of VTEs. The study protocol was approved by the institutional ethics committee. RESULTS. Eighty-two patients (83%) were females and 17 (18%) were males. Mean age was 67.3 (51–88) years. Mean value of D-dimer was 2.6 (1.1–10.3) μg/mL. DVT was detected in 21 patients (21%) at the preoperative day 1 (DVT positive group). Average of age of this (or DVT positive) group was 71.9 (52–88) years. There was significant difference in D-dimer level between DVT negative group, DVT was not detected at the preoperative day 1, and DVT positive group (p<0.05). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of D-dimer were larger than those of other parameters in the ROC curve (p=0.76). The cutoff value from the Youden index was 1.95 μg/mL, and the sensitivity and specificity values were 84.2% and 62.7%, respectively. The incidence of DVT in the positive group was 19% and 16%, respectively. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION. Even DVT in the calf has the potential to propagate proximally, which led to a risk of PE. Therefore, screening for detection of DVT is important, even if the DVT was asymptomatic distal DVT. In some countries, it is thought that if the value of D-dimer is less than 0.5 μg/mL, VTEs are excluded in patients without surgeries, but some D-dimer kits, frequently used in Japan, have different cutoff values for the exclusion of DVT. Assessment of D-dimer is simple and reliable, as to be one of the beneficial methods to detect high-risk patients of VT and/or occult DVT before THA. In conclusion, it is important to evaluate preoperative screening of VTE before THA, as the existence of pre-operative DVT has high risk of postoperative DVT occurrences. The D-dimer test is one of useful methods to evaluate the perioperative state of the patients with VTE risk

Bilateral venography was performed between 12 and 15 days after total hip replacement in 745 consecutive patients, all of whom had heparin prophylaxis. Of these, 81 patients (10.8%) showed evidence of recent deep vein thrombosis: 23 (3%) distal, 44 (5.9%) isolated proximal, five (0.7%) both proximal and distal, and nine (1.2%) extensive thrombosis from calf to thigh. Compared with previous reports heparin appeared to have reduced the number of distal and contralateral thromboses, but was far less effective in reducing proximal femoral thrombosis. In a cadaver study, the femoral veins were inspected during simulated total hip replacement by either an anterior or a posterior approach. In every case the femoral vein became kinked or folded in the thigh position imposed during the preparation of the femur. Local damage appears to be an important factor in proximal thrombosis; care at operation could help to minimise trauma to the femoral veins and reduce the number of such cases

This prospective study was performed to determine the true incidence of deep vein thrombosis of the lower limb in children who had undergone halo-femoral traction to correct scoliosis before operation. Bilateral ascending phlebography of the lower limbs was performed on 54 children two days before spinal fusion and Harrington rod instrumentation. Two patients developed clinical evidence of thrombosis whilst on traction. This diagnosis was confirmed by phlebography. The other 52 children had no clinical evidence of thrombosis and their venograms were normal. The incidence of thrombosis was 3.7 per cent and clinically silent thrombosis did not occur

Objectives: Post-operative deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is considered uncommon in Japanese. Numerous reports of pulmonary embolism (PE) have been reported in the last few decades, and although thrombo-embolic diseases appear to be increasing, the incidence of DVT and PE in Japan have not been investigated thoroughly. We studied the incidence of proximal DVT and PE in Japanese patients who had total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Patients and Methods: Between October 1996 and November 2000, we performed THA on 99 patients and TKA on 75 patients at Mie University Hospital. All were included in this study. They were routinely examined for proximal DVT by ultrasonography before and after their operation. Those patients who had ultrasonographic findings of DVT were also investigated for PE by ventilation-perfusion lung scan. Results and Discussion: No patient had a DVT before surgery. Fourteen patients had post-operative DVT, detected by ultrasonography, and confirmed by venography. 12 cases were females and 2 cases were males. There were 5 cases of PE among the fourteen cases of DVT, The symptomayic PE were 2 cases, and non-incidence of PE were 3 cases. The incidence of DVT was 5.2% on the left side and 4.0% on the right side.The incidence of DVT was 11.2% in THA, and 4.0% in TKA, while that of PE was 5.0% in THA and 0% in TKA. These results suggest that DVT and PE in Japan are lower than those of white races

Purpose: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is defined as central adiposity, elevated fasting glucose, hypertension, and dyslipidemia defined as high triglyceride and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. MS is associated with a systemic proinflammatory and prothrombotic state. We asked if patients with MS undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have an increased risk for symptomatic deep vein thrombosis at 3 months follow-up (DVT). Method: 1,460 consecutive patients were reviewed from our joint registry undergoing primary, unilateral TKA between the years of 1998–2006. Demographic variables of age, gender, comorbidity, and education were retrieved. Metabolic syndrome (MS) was defined as body mass index above 30 kg/m2, diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia. Logistic regression was used to examine the relationship of MS on the incidence of DVT. Results: The overall incidence of symptomatic DVT was 4.4% (65/1460). Patients with MS had an increased incidence of DVT as compared to those without MS(15.5% vs 3.4%). Adjusted analysis showed that MS increased the risk of symptomatic DVT by 3.2(95% CI [1.0,15.4], p=0.04) times compared to those without MS. Conclusion: Hospital protocols developed for prophylactic anti-coagulation following TKR should give special consideration to patients with MS

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in shoulder operations is rare although a few case reports exist. No definite guidelines exist and therefore it is difficult for the surgeon to decide on thromboprophylaxis. We prospectively evaluated the incidence of DVT following arthroscopic shoulder sub acromial decompression in 72 patients after obtaining local ethics committee approval. Patients with previous history of DVT and those on anticoagulants were excluded from the study. Pre and post-operative Doppler scans on 4 limbs were performed by a single consultant radiologist at an average of 3 weeks. All operations were performed by a single surgeon under GA in beach chair position as a day case procedure on standard lines. Postoperatively the shoulder was immobilised in a sling for comfort and physiotherapy was supervised by a qualified therapist. No patient received any DVT prophylaxis. The average age of 54.6 years, 47 were classified as ASA 1, 15 as ASA 2 and 10 ASA 3.58 patients had additional interscalene nerve blocks for pain relief. The average operating time was 43 mins. Additional procedures included excision of lateral clavicle in 32, glenoid labral and rotator cuff debridement in 12 and 14 patients. There were no DVTs on Doppler scans. Shoulder arthroscopic sub acromial decompression procedures do not carry a risk of DVT and routine thromboprohylaxis is not required even in higher anaesthetic risk patients

Purpose. To investigate the incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) with external fixator use and to help establish whether current guidelines are appropriate. Methods. Case notes of individuals undergoing external fixator application by the senior author (PC) from March 2005 to June 2011 were examined. In this period 207 individuals underwent 255 primary applications of Ilizarov, Taylor Spatial Frame (TSF) or monolateral fixator. Fixators applied were 173 tibial, 63 femoral and 19 to other bones. Records were obtained for 182 individuals (88%), representing 214 operations (84%). Results. Two cases of DVT were found (1%). In both cases mechanical and chemical prophylaxis had been used, as guided by risk assessment. One of these individuals also experienced a PE. This person was of notably high risk, surgery involving excision of tibial adamantinoma and a high body mass index (45). He had also recently travelled from overseas (a travel time of over 3 hours). Other than surgical time there was one additional risk factor in 39 cases, two additional risk factors in four and three additional risk factors in four. Conclusions. Little evidence exists about the incidence of DVT and PE with the use of external fixators. The National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) provide guidance for thromboprophylaxis in orthopaedic surgery with specific recommendations for hip and knee arthroplasty and hip fracture. For orthopaedic surgery other than lower limb arthroplasty NICE recommends thromboprophylaxis is guided by risk factors on a case by case basis. Our findings raise the question of whether extended course chemical thromboprophylaxis, as for lower limb arthroplasty, should be employed for high risk individuals undergoing application of external fixator

Introduction. No published work exists regarding deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) incidence with the elective use of external fixators. The aim of this work was to establish the rate of DVT and PE in such cases to help inform whether thromboprophylaxis guided by risk factors is adequate or if a more aggressive approach is required. Patients and methods. Information from a prospectively maintained electronic database and case notes were examined for consecutive patients from March 2005 to June 2011. Occurrence of DVT and PE, detected by ultrasound or CT angiogram, were recorded. Risk factors for thromboembolism, age, weight, height, surgical indications, type of surgery and operative time were recorded. As recommended by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) thromboprophylaxis use is guided by risks of thromboembolism and bleeding. For adults and older adolescent patients contralateral leg compression stockings and an intraoperative calf pump were used. Mobilisation began the morning after surgery and the majority of cases permitted to bear weight fully. Results. Two hundred and seven (207) individuals underwent 255 primary applications of Ilizarov, Taylor Spatial Frame (TSF) or monolateral fixator, 173 tibial, 63 femoral and 19 to other bones. Case notes were obtained for 182 individuals (88%), representing 214 operations (84%). One DVT and one PE were recorded, an overall incidence of 2/214 (0.9%) (excluding those under 16 years old 2/143 (1.4%)). In both cases mechanical and chemical prophylaxis had been used as guided by risk assessment. The PE was sustained by a person of notably high risk, surgery involving excision of tibial adamantinoma and a high body mass index (45). He had also recently travelled from overseas (a travel time of over 3 hours). Conclusions. The rate of DVT/PE for elective application of external fixators is low with risk assessment guiding prophylaxis

Combined multi-detector row CT (MD-CT) pulmonary angiography (CTPA) and lower extremity venography (CTV) is an effective method for detection of pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). However, the usefulness of this method after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has not been reported. The aim of this study is to evaluate our screening program in the management of thromboembolism. Over a 1.5-year period, 30 patients with primary TKA were examined using an MD-CT (Lightspeed ultra 16.GE) before and 7th day after operation. 25 seconds after intravenous administration of 320ml of contrast material, CTPA was performed with 1.25-mm collimation and CTV from the iliac crest to the ankles was done with 0.625-mm collimation 165 seconds after contrastmaterial injection. The mean age of the patients was 72.2 (53–80). Twenty patients had osteoarthritis, nine had rheumatoid arthritis and one osteonecrosis. All patients were received 4 weeks of warfarin therapy and prophylaxis. PE was observed in A1+2, A3, A6, A9, A10 area. PE was most frequently detected in A10 area of pulmonary artery (6/30). While, DVT was detected in only popliteal vein (6/30). The incidence of PE was 30% (9/30)and DVT 20% (6/30). Both PE and DVT were observed in 3 patients, the incidence was 10% (3/30). Combined CTPA and CTV is a safe and accurate diagnotic method for detecting PE and DVT after TKA, and the ability to directly visualize emboli of this system is effective as therapeutic tool