Abstract
The incidence of venous thromboembolism is high in orthopaedic and prevention is necessary. In patients with total hip replacements or with proximal femur fractures, low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) should be administered as a prophylaxis over a period of 28-35 days.
If cooperation with the general practitioner is good, it is possible to crossover the patient to warfarin treatment lasting 6-8 weeks. In patients with total hip and knee replacements and with the proximal femur fractures LMWH should be administered at higher prophylactic doses.
Pharmacological prophylaxis should take at least 10 days in case of total knee replacements and longer in patients with increased risk of venous thromboembolism. In patients with knee arthroscopies displaying no risk factors of venous thromboembolism where tourniquet was used for no longer than 60 minutes, pharmacological prophylaxis is not necessary.