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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Heart, Blood & Circulation
/ Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Support Group

Risks for Family Members

Daffnae
Daffnae
My sister is the third person in my family requiring knee surgery in just over a year. I was the first, and mine resulted in my DVT/PE that landed me on these boards. My family has listened carefully as I have shared articles with them to help them talk to their doctors to hopefully assess their risk factors properly. I think they are trying to make me happy in this process and don't really feel like they are at any additional risk because of my experience, mostly because they have each had previous surgeries with no problems.

After my clot we found out that I have hetero Factor V Leiden. I know this means that my sister may or may not have it as well. She is currently being tested for it as well. The Pre-Op doctor ordered it. I'm a little concerned that if it comes back negative for her that they won't take any extra clot prevention methods with her.

I thought I'd see what others have experienced with clot prevention for family members having surgery. Is just the family history enough to warrant extra precautions, or if she doesn't have Factor V Leiden is it reasonable to treat her like any other patient?

NOTE: she's just having arthroscopy surgery to remove some cartilage which I don't think is as risky as knee replacement, but only a little different than the surgery I had.

Thanks!
RetiredNavy02
RetiredNavy02
Regardless of the clotting disorder, orthpedic surgery is one of the leading causes of hospital acquired DVT. Yes, the type of surgery she will be having is of less risk that knee replace, however, there is still a mild risk associated with it for patients without a genetic clotting disorder.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8679032

http://www.aaos.org/news/aaosnow/aug11/clinical1.asp
JEB2007
JEB2007
In my family, we all have FVL, so we're equally risky -- no shortcuts around here, haha.

You sis should still take precautions. Once you know you have a disorder, then you get EXTRA precautions before, during, and after, from your doctor and some you can take yourself.

For a good story to outweigh all the anxiety you can develop over this stuff, my mom has had three major surgeries before diagnosis, plus two heart procedures and two foot surgeries after diagnosis with no clotting events. Having a diagnosis doesn't doom you to clots! :)
Daffnae
Daffnae
I am venting prematurely. I don't yet know the final decision from my sister's surgeon. But please feel free to tell me I am over-reacting.

So, my sister's bloodwork came back positive for FVL (hetero).

The pre-op doctor told her she should probably need to take aspirin for a few weeks. Hearing this sent me through the roof. I don't feel like taking an aspirin seems like proper prevention for someone with FVL.

The pre-op doctor did indicate that it would be up to the surgoen. This also made me flip out. Why isn't it up to my sister!

I know that FVL plus knee surgery isn't a death sentence, so I will try to calm down and stay positive now that I've gotten this off my chest. But I can't even imagine what will go through my head if something bad ends up happening.

Thank you for a place to vent.
rmb
rmb
Well ultimately your sister should have a say. I think what they mean when they say it's up to the surgeon is that the surgeon will likely have his/her own protocol when it comes to anticoagulants, people with clotting disorders, etc. She just needs to discuss it with the surgeon and get his take.

I know it's so frightening. Hang in there. Talk to your sister and get her thoughts
BlackMamba
BlackMamba
I have been hesitant to comment on this and will try to be as sensitive as possible. As some of you know, my sister and I both have genetic protein s deficiency which caused our DVT's and PE's. I wish I could go back in time and be more involved in my mothers care after her ankle surgery. At least her doctors put her on Lovenox injections for 2 weeks after the surgery. That ended up being 5 days too early to stop. As far as we know her surgeon did not discuss with her family history of clotting and put her on the injections for as Tom mentioned, the high risk of DVT after a surgery that makes you immobile.

Your sister is lucky to have you watching out for her and don't take no for an answer when it comes making sure she is getting the care she needs. I know I wish I could go back in time and would have spoken up and asked more questions about what they were doing for my mom.
Daffnae
Daffnae
Thank you so much for your responses. RMB, you always have words of wisdom.

BlackMamba, I really appreciate your response. I know it must be hard to revisit the story of your mother's surgery. I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to respond to me.

I'm much calmer now. The surgery is tomorrow, so we'll see what the surgeon has to say.
dvtgirl
dvtgirl
My dad does not have any clotting history except, he is related to me.
Three years ago when he had knee replacement surgery his doctor had him on levonoux for a week.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi Daffnae.. I am not sure if your sister has had her arthroscopy yet, but kudos to you for being proactive.. Anything dealing with the blood can be scary whether it is clotting/DVT or the inability to clot.. I learned this also from a family member... I shared my story somewhere else on here, however I think it is good to mention in consideration of her upcoming surgery... I had a total knee replacement(as did my sister) and after my surgery I was given a low dose aspirin and wore a compression device that prevents dvt.. Please look into it and consider mentioning this to your sister..

Here is the link.. Best wishes..
http://activecare.mcsmed.com/activecare_sft_2.html
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