Prevent Blood clots after ankle surgery.

I did put a post previously about this. I was put on low dose asprin, after all my surgeries. I know 2 people who have developed clots, with life threatening consequences, who were not put on anything when they broke their leg. You probably don't need injections, but you do need something. And compression, antiembolic stockings.

I asked and was given injections for 6 weeks for prevention

They are very easy to do

I was apprehensive before but they show you how to do it in the hosp

Better to be save and prevent

Whilst I was in hospital I was given these once a day I think.I also wore one of those elastic stockings which I found greatly helped to control the swelling.

Cheers

Richard

Hi Susan. So sorry if it's frightened you, but you will I'm sure have the these injections while you are in hospital. They go just below the belly button. On discharge you will get shown how to do them. While reading and writing on these forums, some people not many though did say that they were given oral meds instead of the injection. I think it's all according to where you live? But don't he afraid to ask. This is where these forums become informative., and allow us to find out these things so we know in advance. Please don't worry about it,. Makes a list of your worries and ask your questions. Sx

I live in the U.K. and it is standard procedure here to give everyone 6 weeks of blood thinning injections into their stomach once they have ankle surgery as the evidence shows it significantly cuts down the chance of clots in the leg after. A pain to do it, but worth it. Ask your drs for it.

Good luck

Janey

I would speak to your Drs, I'm not sure where abouts you are based but in the uk it's pretty much a standard post op treatment.

Try not to worry in the mean time though, like others have said get all of your questions written down so you are prepared.

The drug/injections are called fragmin or dalteparin, it's a low molecular weight anti coag that thins your blood ever so slightly so therefore reduces the risk of blood clots/DVTs/PE.

It's different to other anti coagulants as it only stays in your body for 24hrs so a new injection is needed every day. (I only know this as I'm a Sister on a Surgical Trauma Unit in the UK).

We use it at work for pretty much all surgical patients nowadays, just because they are immobile for longer periods of time than they normal would be.

I've had a fair few ankle ops now but only had it for this operation, the injections are really simple to use and I guess would give you a little piece of mind.

Let us all know how you get on. Xx

I'm in the US and I gave myself the blood thinner shots for a month after knee replacement surgery, but I didn't have any kind of blood thinner after my ankle surgery. I had a talonavicular joint fusion.