Hi from the UK

Hey everyone,

Is there a section for post-op DVT rather than the spontaneous variety?

Have been reading throught the other posts and tbh, I think I've got off quite lightly.

I had a Lateral release, chrondoplasty and patella reshape about 2-3 weeks ago. All went well, but a week later at physio I complained of a stiff calf that felt like it was about to cramp all the time. PT then gave me a deep tissue massage to the calf. At the same time I also mentioned that it felt like I had pulled a muscle in my chest, presumably from pulling 250lbs around on crutches. The pain was on deep inhalation and was a very sharp pain. I then got a massage to the back to try and alleviate this.

A week later I had another physio appointment and by now it felt like my calf was going to explode. I explained this to the physio and she mentioned DVT, measured both my calves and there was a 7 centimetre differntial, with the painful, larger one feeling significantly warmer to the touch. She called the Vas Surgeon who did a dopler of my leg and confirmed DVT from groin to the back of the knee (Pop thingy ) During the consultation he also asked if I had had any chest pains and I explained the above and what the Physio had said/done. He exchanged a concerned look with the Physio....I later learned that he suspected a PE but this had luckily cleared itself.

I'm now on Heparin injections until I get two sequential 2.0 INR readings and wharfarin tablets for 6mths. I'm off to the DVT clinic for my first blood test since starting the meds.

I guess the $64M question is what to expect next? How soon should I expect some sort of relief to the pressure in my calf?

Good luck to everyone else that carries this curse. It truly does suck!

Hi Martin,
So if you have been reading around, you know that none of us are doctors, that we are DVT/PE survivors and we all wished we could meet due to other circumstances, but welcome...

As for the $64M answer,
Every person is different, but GENERALLY speaking, you can feel a difference at around the 6 week mark, "generally speaking of course".
The treatment for post-op DVT and spontaneous variety is exactly the same, anticoagulant therapy.
Just out of curiosity, where are you from Martin?
and are you still doing PT? I would stay away from leg massage for the next 6 weeks or so, you do not want to dislodge that clot from your leg.


A PE that cleared itself? Did they perform a ctscan on your chest to determine this?

Hi Dero and thanks for your reply.

I'm near Southampton in the UK.

I've paused the PT for the minute but need to get back to it at some point to rehab my knee. At the moment whenever my leg drops below horrizontal it is excrutiatingly painful so PT wouldn't happen anyway.

There was no firm diagnosis on the PE, just the Vas surgeon's thoughts. I had a bog standard x-ray of the chest which was clear so maybe it was a muscle issue after all?

Just had my first blood results and my INR results are 1.4 so i'm on 10mg wharfarin for now plus 1.8 Clexane, but back for another test tomorrow. I guess it varies from person to person but how long does it take to move the INR? Am I likely to see a .1 change per day or is it quicker/slower than that?

Thanks again for your reply.

Second INR came in at 1.9 so that's a significant step in the right direction!

It is VERY hard to say how long it takes to become therapeutic and STAY in "the zone", so much can affect it, food, water, other drugs, if the people that are managing the anticoagulant therapy are competent.
At first it's better to ease into it, because if you or the med staff rush it, it may take even more time to become stable. I have seen so many med staff rush it and have the pendulum effect start and then THAT takes a lot more time to re-stabilise, as oppose to taking it slow (.1 at the time).
Baby steps are much better in this situation.

Do you understand what you have to do with vitamin K foods and what they are?

I was given a list of a few things to avoid, i.e cranbery juice, but any other suggestions you have would be greatly received.

Todays INR was 2.6 so they seem to be going for the quick fix route. Now to see if they can get it to stabilize....

Here is a good start...

https://lifeafterdvt.forumotion.com/vitamin-k-f9/vitamin-k-t10.htm

Hi Dero, thanks for that.

I've had 2 consecutive readings at 2.8 on 8mg warfarine so have been taken off Clexane injections and now having weekly blood tests rather than daily.

Pain is greatly reduced (although still quite painful) now that I have better venous flow and I still have to use crutches to get around.

Beginning of the journey I know, but I feel good progress is being made.