Definition
A blood clot (thrombus) that forms in a deep vein, most commonly in the lower leg or thigh. A rare but serious complication after orthopedic surgery. If a clot dislodges and travels to the lungs, it can cause a pulmonary embolism.
Aliases
deep vein thrombosis
Updated
Sources
- Mahmood H et al. — Perioperative Air Travel Increases Risk of VTE Following Lower Limb Arthroplasty, Eur J Orth Surg Trauma 2023Official public sourceAccessed 2026-03-01
- Cooper HJ et al. - Risk of Symptomatic Venous Thromboembolism Associated With Flying in the Early Postoperative Period Following Elective Total Hip and Knee ArthroplastyOfficial public sourceAccessed 2026-07-12
- Is There a Consensus on Air Travel Following Hip and Knee Arthroplasty? Cureus 2023Official public sourceAccessed 2026-03-01
Informational only. Not medical advice.