[Prognosis of calf deep-vein thrombosis after total knee arthroplasty].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To explore the outcome of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) in the calf after total knee arthroplasty. METHODS: From June 2009 to June 2011, 159 patients with DVT in the calf after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were divided into two groups. Group A (active mobilization) included 80 patients and group B (passive mobilization) 79 patients. These patients were checked with ultrasonography 1 week and 4 weeks postoperation. The changes of DVT in the calf, ROM, KSS score and WOMAC score were observed. RESULTS: The disappearance rates of the calf DVT in groups A and B were 35% and 33% 4 weeks postoperation. There was similar DVT disappearance rate in the two groups (P=0.91 ). No patient developed proximal propagation. There was no difference of the ROM (111.9° ± 13.4° vs. 110.5° ± 10.9°, P=0.490), KSS knee score ( 93.5 ± 4.7 vs. 93.9 ± 5.1, P=0.621), KSS function score (83.4 ± 15.1 vs. 82.9 ± 14.5, P=0.513) and WOMAC score (90.9 ± 5.7 vs. 90. 3 ± 6.1, P=0.535) in groups A and B. CONCLUSION: A DVT in the calf after TKA can resorb spontaneously with time. The treatment of a DVT in the calf does not need additional anticoagulation.