Non-pharmacological Methods of Deep Vein Thrombosis Prophylaxis in Orthopaedic Wards

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a post-operative complication that surgeons try to prevent. Common preventatives are blood thinners but these can increase post-operative bleeding. This editorial discusses using basic physiotherapy as a non-drug method to prevent DVT. The physiotherapy involves simple exercises like static hamstring, quadriceps exercises and ankle pumps, done to prevent blood from pooling in the legs, which is thought to help prevent DVT. This method is generally applicable, cost-effective, and doesn't cause adverse reactions, but it has limitations in patients with ankle fractures, polytrauma, spinal cord injury, or neurological injury.

• 1
  Basic physiotherapy exercises, such as ankle pumps, static hamstring, and quadriceps exercises, initiated early can prevent DVT by preventing blood pooling in the lower limbs and increasing venous return.
• 2
  This non-pharmacological method does not affect the coagulation cascade, reducing the risk of bleeding or drain output in post-operative patients, and it lowers the cost burden of hospitalization by avoiding costly drugs and mechanical devices.
• 3
  The method's advantages include cost benefits, applicability in most patients, minimal adverse effects, and an observed reduction in DVT incidence, though it has limitations in patients with ankle fractures, spinal cord injuries, and intubated cases.