Description: This medical illustration exhibit shows methods for preventing deep vein (venous) thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism following leg injury and surgery. The steps in this image include early ambulation, post-operatively, with a caption reading: 'Therapeutic exercise following surgery reduces the risks of clots forming in the deep veins of the leg.' Other steps include performing 'foot pump' exercises, contracting the muscles of the lower leg; wearing graduated compression stockings (GCS); using anticoagulant therapy medication (blood thinners); intermittent pneumatic compression devices (IPCD); and surgically installing an inferior vena cava filter device (IVC filter or Greenfield filter) to catch clots in the blood stream before they reach the heart.

Last Updated: May 7th, 2023