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Risk of blood clots after knee surgery

Wednesday 27th July 2011

Knee replacement surgery may increase the risk of blood clot formation in certain patients, research has shown.

A study published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery has revealed that the risk of clot formation is still relatively high in certain knee replacement surgery, even when blood thinners are utilised.

Being older than 80 years of age, having a history of cardiovascular disease, previously having a clot or possessing a high number of accompanying medical conditions were all found to be associated with an increased risk of blood clot following the surgery.

Study author Alma Pedersen said: "Prophylactic measures, such as the use of blood thinners around the time of surgery, are used to reduce the occurrence of clots, but their effectiveness in routine clinical practice following surgery is more uncertain."

In other news, women tend to recover more quickly than men after knee surgery, according to research published in journal Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research.

Written by Mathew Horton