Approximately 30-50% of patients who have hip or knee replacement surgery will develop blood clots (thromboembolic disease) unless they are treated preventively. Blood thinners are usually given -- making it difficult for clots to form. But it's not a perfect solution. With blood thinners, there is the possibility of bleeding and hemorrhagic complications.
Compression devices have been an option but until now they were very large and only used in the hospital. A mobile device, called the Continuous Enhanced Circulation Therapy plus Synchronized Flow Technology compression device, is a smaller device that can be used outside the hospital. The device is FDA approved. According to study results published in the March 2010 Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery, the mobile compression device is as effective as medication for preventing clot formation and it is safer.
Related Resources:
- Total Hip Replacement - What You Need to Know
- Total Knee Replacement - What You Need to Know
- Total Hip Replacement - Preventing Post-op Blood Clots
- Obesity Linked to Joint Replacement Complications
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