Denton County Living Well Magazine July/August 2019 | Page 35

KEEPING DEADLY CLOTS
AT BAY AFTER FOOT SURGERY
Medication, movement
can prevent DVT,
pulmonary embolism
E
ach year in the United States, pulmo-
nary embolisms (PE) kill more people than
AIDS, breast cancer and motor vehicle crashes
combined. According to North Texas foot and an-
kle surgeon Damien M. Dauphinée, DPM, FACFAS,
CWS-P, this little-known condition occurs when a blood clot
in the leg travels to the lungs, blocking one or more arteries.
Most recently, news that tennis star Serena Williams suf-
fered a PE after undergoing surgery is raising awareness
about the condition, its risk factors, and how to prevent
the potentially deadly condition from occurring. The blood
clots that cause PE often originate in the deep veins of the
leg, a condition called deep vein thrombosis or DVT.
Dr. Dauphinée explains that women are at the highest risk
for blood clots and pulmonary embolism as well as men
and women who are overweight, smokers, and those tak-
ing oral contraceptives. “Surgery is also one of the leading
causes of blood clots in patients, which means those at
highest risk need to be diligent in speaking to their surgeon
about their elevated risks so preventive measures can be
taken,” Dr. Dauphinée details.
Patients facing surgery should take note, though, that blood
clots in the leg are relatively rare after foot and ankle sur-
gery, Dr. Dauphinée says. In addition, the clots can be pre-
vented with medication and exercise.
Courtesy Complete Foot
and Ankle Care of North Texas
Patients also would be advised to get up and move around
after surgery—even if they are wearing a cast or using
crutches.
“The biggest recommendation you see in the airline mag-
azines when you’re flying is to move your legs to prevent
DVT, because people who sit on a long flight have a high
incidence of DVT,” Dr. Dauphinée says. “Similarly, if you’re
sitting after surgery and the blood is not moving in the calf
and you’re not exercising, you could end up with a clot
in your calf. Surgeons have learned over the years that
getting people moving after surgery will reduce the risk of
a clot causing a pulmonary embolism. We also often pre-
scribe calf pumps called sequential compression devices
or SCDs to help move the venous blood and prevent clots
from forming.”
Depending on a patient’s risk factors, the surgeon may de-
cide to prescribe an anti-clotting medication to prevent DVT.
The most common medications are low-molecular weight
heparins, which patients inject into their arm, leg, or stom-
ach for about two to three weeks after surgery. Symptoms of pulmonary embolisms vary and can mimic
those of other conditions such as a heart attack. The most
common signs include sudden, unexplained shortness of
breath, chest pain, and a cough that produces blood-tinged
mucus. “Other symptoms may include wheezing, leg swell-
ing, excessive sweating, rapid heartbeat, and fainting,”
adds Dr. Dauphinée. “Pulmonary embolisms can occur
quickly, and prompt medical attention is vital for recovery,
so patients need to seek care if they are suffering from any
of the symptoms associated with the condition.”
Patients with confirmed DVT, which is diagnosed with an
ultrasound, may be put on warfarin (Coumadin) for six
months to a year to prevent new clots from forming. For more information on taking care of your feet and an-
kles, visit the American College of Foot and Ankle Sur-
geons’ website, www.foothealthfacts.org.
For further information about ankle fractures and sprains or other foot and ankle
problems, contact Dr. Dauphinée and Complete Foot and Ankle Care at 940-300-3054 or
go to their website www.completefootandanklecare.com.
DENTON COUNTY Living Well Magazine | JULY/AUGUST 2019
33