Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Support Group

Deep-vein thrombosis, also known as deep-venous thrombosis or DVT, is the formation of a blood clot ("thrombus") in a deep vein. It can be caused by something preventing blood from circulating or clotting normally. Join the support group if you are coping with DVT and find others who are going through the same challenges.

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twells1303 12/13/2017

Hi, I am 43 years old. I recently have an ankle arthroscopy to have some loose bodies removed. They ended up scraping an osteochondral defect in there while they were doing the scope. This means that I am 6 weeks non-load bearing. About 3 weeks after my surgery, I took a long car ride (13 hrs each way) to a soccer tournament. After the trip there, I woke up with pain in my calf. It hurt for a couple days. Right when I got back after the weekend, I called my surgeon, had an ultrasound, and they found a 5 in long clot in my peroneal vein in my calf (all below the knee). They sent me to the ER, prescribed Xarelto (15mg twice a day for 21 days and then 20mg a day for up to 3 months). I have been on that for 9 days now. My calf pain was like a moderate charlie horse and just stiff and tender. There was no redness, swelling, or local "heat". Now, the pain is pretty minimal, although I can still feel pressure and tightness at times and a little discomfort. I guess I have a few questions if anyone can help out:

1) . Does the risk of a PE go down the longer I am on the thinner (xarlelto)? After how many days the the risk drop significantly? I am trying to figure out when I can at least feel like the probabilities are "in my favor" a bit more.
2) . They recommended blood thinners for 3 months. Is there value in asking for another ultrasound at say 1 month and then 2 to see where the clot is at -- then ask to go off the thinner if the clot is gone or almost gone?
3) . What is the realistic danger of a clot in the calf below the knee in the peroneal vein? you see alot of doom and gloom online and the ER gave alot of doom and gloom too about the horrible tings that CAN happen -- guess I am just trying to figure out just how risky it really is for a healthy, fit, 43 year old guy?

rmb 12/13/2017

Once you are one anticoagulants, all your risks in term of clotting are pretty low. Xarelto will prevent new clots from forming and your existing clot starts to resolve. Idon’t Know how many days exactly but quite honestly if you were really in danger they would have admitted you.

It would be unusual to order another ultrasound after a month unless they felt you were still clotting or something like that. Otherwise you just have to be patient and do your three months, and see what the doc says at that point.

You’ll be ok. I just can’t believe you were immobile in a car that long so soon after surgery. Yikes.

twells1303 12/14/2017

Yeah, I wish my surgeon would have given me more of a clue what was at risk. I later was told he should have warned me about long car rides and had me on aspirin after the surgery. The post-op instructions were weak and not documented. I really knew nothing about blood clots. It was a minor ankle scope. I felt great and the drive was actually very comfortable. Now, I know!

Shahid 12/14/2017

Hi twells,

yeh it sucks with these surgeons and happened to me also because of no post op instructions that i developed both DVT and PE one week after partial menischotomy which is also almost minor sports surgery. Good luck to you with your recovery.
As far as i remember discussing with my doctor, one month is the window when you should be a little careful as clots can go loose and travel anywhere but as long as you are on Xarelto so chances are very remote and i believe because of your surgery you cannot run or move too much so there is no risk with normal movements. So PE will definitely not happen to you now and relax.
As far as ultrasound is concerned, as RMB rightly said should be done at 3 months only as by then there will be some recovery. At one month, practically its of not much advantage for the existing clot.
Good luck and get well soon dear. Things will get better with time for you.

twells1303 12/15/2017

Thanks for the encouragement. I had one other question. I am almost pain free after 12 days on Xarelto. The only glitch is that when I am still lying in bed in the morning, i have a cramp feeling in my lower calf. As I get up and move it slowly dissipates and goes away (probably takes about 1 hour. Is this probably related to the clot, or could this just be a cramp from using my "knee scooter" since that leg is non-lead bearing all day and not getting exercised? Or is it common with a clot to have intermittent pain after lying down for a long time? I kind of thought DVT pain was usually pretty steady.

rmb 12/22/2017

When you first have a dvt the pain is usually persistent, at least it was for me. But as the DVT resolves, you can also have some on going intermittent pain ranging from Charlie horse type pain, a throbbing sensation, a poking sensation or just general achiness, or really any type of weird sensation.

twells1303 12/24/2017

Makes sense..thanks! I have been on blood thinners for 3 weeks and just get occasional "cramp/tightness" pain (especially while sleeping and when I first wake up. Does this eventually go away in a month or so usually?

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