The prevention of deep vein thrombosis through leg exercises: In postoperative patients, how does the action of performing leg exercises compared to staying immobile prevent the formation of deep vein thrombosis?

Deep Vein Thrombosis is when a thrombus (clot) forms, usually in the iliac or femoral veins. There are three factors – Virchow's Triad –that contribute to the formation of venous thrombosis (Lewis, Dirksen, Heitkemper, Bucher, & Camera, 2014). According to research, when postoperative patients perform lower extremity exercises, venous stasis is averted and deep vein thrombosis prevented (Wang, Chen, Ye, Shi, & Zhang, 2016). Performing each exercise 5 times every 2 hours is an inexpensive and noninvasive form of deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis in a hospital setting (Lewis et al., 2014). Conclusion: deep vein thrombosis is a serious complication that can occur to post operative patients (Lewis et al., 2014). Leg exercises in post operative patients have been shown to successfully prevent thrombus formation by increasing venous flow rate (Sochart & Hardinge, 1999). Performing each exercise five times every two hours is manageable for patients in post operative recovery (Lewis et al., 2014). As nurses, teaching these exercises to patients is a simple way to have them become engaged members in their care plan. It is an individual activity that requires simple teaching preoperatively and postoperatively (Lewis et al., 2014). This form of intervention is not only beneficial to the patient, but is cost effective for our healthcare system, due to the fact it requires no equipment (Sochart & Hardinge, 1999).