Question:
Will getting leg messages while in the hospital help avoid blood clots from forming?
— mzunderstood702 (posted on June 27, 2002)
June 27, 2002
Hey there ~ It sure as heck wouldn't hurt, that's for sure. I don't think
there are any sure-fire attacks on preventing blood clots. I wasn't able
to walk much due to excruciating pain in my feet & legs right after
surgery and I was really, really concerned with clots. My doctor sent me
home with a 3 week supply of Heparin (blood thinner) and I took those
painful shots 3 times a day - they hurt but they gave me peace of mind. I
still wasn't completely worry free because like I said, nothing is fool
proof. I also bought a spare pair of "Ted" hose - like the ones
they give you in the hospital. The ones I had in the hospital were cool -
they were connected to some sort of machine that inflated me and deflated
me like the girl on Willie Wonka that turned into the blueberry. :)
Walking, walking, walking is what people will tell you but I just couldn't
do it. They say if nothing else, when sitting in a chair healing, move
your body parts around. Wiggle your toes and your ankles and your legs -
stretch out a bit and just don't remain real, real still for too long of a
time. I was sleeping about 7 - 8 hours from the beginning though and I
never set a timer to get up and walk or nothing - I just went through it
and all turned out fine. Good luck to you and try not to worry too much.
— Lisa J.
June 27, 2002
As a nurse, I was taught to NEVER massage a post op patient's legs because
it can CAUSE blood clots in some situations. I would not recommend this
unless you have clearance from your doctor.
— A. S.
June 27, 2002
I got heparin shots in the hospital and I had these cuffs on my legs that
kind of inflated and massaged when I was in bed. Believe me, I WANTED to
walk, but I was limited with all the IV's I had. The cuffs I think are
supposed to help with the blood clots.
— gloria M.
June 27, 2002
Hi. I was told never to massage the legs as this could cause a blood clot.
I worked in the nursing field and was told this in school. Please be sure
to check with your doctor before trying this. It's always best to be safe
and they would know best.
— Diane C.
June 27, 2002
Just a clarification... massaging the legs does not CAUSE blood clots, but
it can dislodge clots that may form post-op. It is these loosened clots
that can travel through the circulation and end up in the lungs, where they
can cause a pulmonary embolus. JK, RN
— Joya K.
June 27, 2002
I, too, had those inflating leg cuff-things. They were a bother, but I
guess it was worth it. I think they're pretty standard after our type of
surgery.
— Kathy W.
June 27, 2002
I DON'T KNOW ABOUT MASSAGES, BUT I HAVE A BLOOD DISORDER WHICH CAN CAUSE
BLOOD CLOTS, SO I WILL BE WEARING STOCKINGS AFTER SURGERY AND PRESSURE
BOOTS. MY HEMOTOLOGIST SAYS THAT SOME HOSPITALS KIND OF IGNORE THEM AND
DON'T MAKE YOU WEAR THEM, BUT IF YOU'RE PRONE TO BLOOD CLOTS, INSIST ON
WEARING THEM WHILE IN BED. HOPE THIS HELPS.
— Linda B.
June 27, 2002
Ditto Joya. Your doc'll do his part by ordering heparin & TED hose etc,
but the best thing YOU can do is to get up and walk ASAP. Keep moving, but
don't rub your legs, it can dislodge any clots that may be forming.
— Denise W.
June 28, 2002
My husband is a massotherapist and he would not EVER massage a patient's
legs if there was the slightist chance there was a blood clot in
them...just because of the chance of one breaking loose. When I had really
bad pain in my calf and a swollen ankle, he refused to massage it and he
made me call the doctor immediately...and sure enough the doc sent me get a
test because he thought it was a clot...I'm glad my DH knew what to do
because I would have wanted to rub it to try to relieve the pain.
— NoraNora
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