Blood clot in the leg

One of the most common complications is blood clots in the leg. The blood in the veins, which are the blood vessels that transport blood back to the body, can form clots, which causes the leg to swell and hurt. This condition is called deep vein thrombosis and is often abbreviated to DVT at hospitals.

However, you can easily have both swelling and pain after surgery without it meaning that you have a blood clot in your leg. If you get blood clots or DVT in your leg it's important that it is treated with blood thinners, as in rare cases the clots can break loose and be transported back to the lungs with the blood circulation.

If there is suspicion of blood clots in the leg, the hospital will run tests to know for certain whether you need to be treated. Typically, they do a so-called ultrasound. This examination doesn't hurt and it doesn't require anaesthesia.

During hospitalisation you will be given blood thinners to avoid you getting blood clots in your legs. This can be administered as tablets or as a small injection in the abdominal skin.

In the past, people were also given this preventive treatment for some time after they had been discharged, but today we know that getting people onto their feet quickly after surgery, and starting early with exercises can prevent the formation of clots in the legs and lungs. Therefore, it isn't certain that it'll be necessary for you to take preventive treatment after you've been discharged.