Published by Commons Clinic. [Web version](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/blood-clot-questions-after-orthopedic-surgery/) Reviewer names are abbreviated. Patient reviews describe individual experiences. Review counts describe source records, not unique patients or clinical outcomes; the acquired snapshot may not include complete platform histories. Clinical education and patient accounts do not replace a consultation. Choosing your care # 6 questions about blood clots before and after orthopedic surgery Clot prevention is part of recovery planning, especially when surgery or injury limits movement. Ask for instructions that reflect your operation and history, and know which symptoms require immediate care. Published by Commons Clinic · Updated October 21, 2026 · 4 min read [Questions to ask ↓](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/blood-clot-questions-after-orthopedic-surgery/#consultation-questions) [Patient experiences ↓](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/blood-clot-questions-after-orthopedic-surgery/#patient-experiences) In this guide 1. [Which symptoms require action now?](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/blood-clot-questions-after-orthopedic-surgery/#guide-section-1) 2. [What makes my risk different from another patient's?](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/blood-clot-questions-after-orthopedic-surgery/#guide-section-2) 3. [What exactly is my prevention plan?](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/blood-clot-questions-after-orthopedic-surgery/#guide-section-3) 4. [How can I move while respecting the repair?](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/blood-clot-questions-after-orthopedic-surgery/#guide-section-4) 5. [Does travel change what I should do?](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/blood-clot-questions-after-orthopedic-surgery/#guide-section-5) 6. [Who follows the plan after I leave the hospital?](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/blood-clot-questions-after-orthopedic-surgery/#guide-section-6) [Go to your consultation questions ↓](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/blood-clot-questions-after-orthopedic-surgery/#consultation-questions) ## 1. Which symptoms require action now? Sudden breathing difficulty, chest pain, coughing up blood, or fainting can signal a medical emergency, including a pulmonary embolism. Call emergency services. New unexplained swelling, pain, warmth, or discoloration in a limb warrants prompt medical assessment. Do not try to decide from a photograph whether postoperative swelling is normal or a clot. Tell the assessing team about your recent operation or injury and any medicines prescribed for prevention. A clot cannot be confirmed or excluded by how a symptom looks at home. Ask your surgical team in advance how to distinguish the contact route for a routine recovery question from the route for a suspected complication. Sources: [About Venous Thromboembolism](https://www.cdc.gov/blood-clots/about/) · [Deep Vein Thrombosis](https://www.orthoinfo.org/diseases--conditions/deep-vein-thrombosis/) ## 2. What makes my risk different from another patient's? Surgery, injury, and reduced movement can contribute to clot risk. Personal history, family history, and other health factors also matter. Tell the team about previous clots, clotting disorders, cancer treatment, hormone medicines, and any relevant medical history they request. Ask how the planned operation and expected mobility affect the prevention strategy. A patient having a different procedure may receive a different plan, and a friend taking a particular medicine does not establish what you need. Make sure all involved clinicians know about a previous clot or a prior problem with a preventive medicine. Sources: [About Venous Thromboembolism](https://www.cdc.gov/blood-clots/about/) · [Deep Vein Thrombosis](https://www.orthoinfo.org/diseases--conditions/deep-vein-thrombosis/) ## 3. What exactly is my prevention plan? Prevention may involve movement, mechanical measures, medication, or a combination based on individual circumstances. Ask the team to specify what applies to you and how long each part continues. If a medicine is prescribed, confirm the dose, schedule, and what to do if a dose is missed. Ask about bleeding concerns, interactions, and which clinician will manage questions after discharge. Do not add aspirin or another blood thinner on your own. If you already take an anticoagulant, request one coordinated plan covering the operation and recovery so that instructions from different offices do not conflict. Sources: [Deep Vein Thrombosis](https://www.orthoinfo.org/diseases--conditions/deep-vein-thrombosis/) · [Hospitalization and Blood Clots](https://www.cdc.gov/blood-clots/toolkit/hospitalization-infographic.html) ## 4. How can I move while respecting the repair? Ask the surgical and therapy teams to translate movement advice into your actual restrictions. Weight-bearing limits, braces, splints, or other precautions may change what is appropriate. A general instruction to walk more is incomplete when you have been told to protect an operated limb. Request a demonstration of the approved activities and clarify how often they should be performed. If pain, dizziness, weakness, or a home barrier prevents you from following the plan, contact the team for an adjustment. Avoid replacing prescribed movement or equipment instructions with an exercise routine intended for someone else's operation. Sources: [Deep Vein Thrombosis](https://www.orthoinfo.org/diseases--conditions/deep-vein-thrombosis/) · [Patient Guide to Safe Surgery](https://www.orthoinfo.org/treatment/patient-guide-to-safe-surgery/) ## 5. Does travel change what I should do? Long periods of sitting during travel can add to clot risk, and recent surgery is an important detail to discuss before a trip. Ask about the entire journey, including car rides, airport waiting, and the return trip. A short flight can still involve many hours away from your usual recovery setup. Get individualized advice about timing, movement, and any preventive measures. Do not assume that compression stockings or an extra medicine are appropriate without asking. If travel can be postponed, discuss whether waiting would make follow-up, mobility, or symptom assessment easier during this stage of recovery. Sources: [Understanding Your Risk for Blood Clots with Travel](https://www.cdc.gov/blood-clots/risk-factors/travel.html) ## 6. Who follows the plan after I leave the hospital? Before discharge, confirm who will review prevention, renew or stop any prescribed medicine, and respond to symptoms. Keep the instructions with your medication list. If you transition to rehabilitation or home care, ask how the plan will be shared and who resolves conflicting advice. At follow-up, report whether you could actually follow the movement and medicine plan, not only whether you remember receiving it. Practical obstacles deserve attention. A useful recovery conversation makes prevention manageable while keeping emergency symptoms prominent and ensuring that you know where to get help. Before leaving, confirm that you can obtain any prescribed medicine or equipment. If cost or transportation is a barrier, ask the team to help resolve it while arrangements can still be changed. Sources: [Hospitalization and Blood Clots](https://www.cdc.gov/blood-clots/toolkit/hospitalization-infographic.html) · [Patient Guide to Safe Surgery](https://www.orthoinfo.org/treatment/patient-guide-to-safe-surgery/) Make the most of your visit ## Questions to bring to your consultation Choose the questions that matter most to you. Bring them along, and ask us to explain anything that is unclear. - Which symptoms require emergency services and which need an urgent call? - How do my operation, mobility, and personal history affect clot risk? - What medicines, equipment, or movement measures are included in my plan? - What should I do if I miss a dose or have bleeding concerns? - Which movements are safe with my surgical restrictions? - Should I change or postpone upcoming travel? - Who will reassess and eventually stop each part of the prevention plan? ## Sources & further reading - [About Venous Thromboembolism](https://www.cdc.gov/blood-clots/about/) CDC - [Deep Vein Thrombosis](https://www.orthoinfo.org/diseases--conditions/deep-vein-thrombosis/) AAOS OrthoInfo - [Hospitalization and Blood Clots](https://www.cdc.gov/blood-clots/toolkit/hospitalization-infographic.html) CDC - [Patient Guide to Safe Surgery](https://www.orthoinfo.org/treatment/patient-guide-to-safe-surgery/) AAOS OrthoInfo - [Understanding Your Risk for Blood Clots with Travel](https://www.cdc.gov/blood-clots/risk-factors/travel.html) CDC We use these medical sources to help explain your options and prepare you for a conversation with our team. Our guides feature our own clinicians; patient reviews describe individual experiences. [Read as Markdown](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/blood-clot-questions-after-orthopedic-surgery/index.md) Meet our team ## People behind your care. [**Andrew Wassef, MD** Orthopedic Surgeon, Joints](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/andrew-wassef-md/) [More about Andrew Wassef ↗](https://commonsclinic.com/physicians/andrew-wassef-md/) [**Christopher Combs, MD** Orthopedic Surgeon, Joints & Sports Medicine](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/christopher-combs-md/) [More about Christopher Combs ↗](https://commonsclinic.com/physicians/christopher-combs-md/) [**Eric S. Millstein, MD** Orthopedic Surgeon, Joints & Sports Medicine](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/eric-millstein/) [More about Eric S. Millstein ↗](https://commonsclinic.com/physicians/eric-millstein/) [**Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA** Orthopedic Surgeon, Joints & Sports Medicine](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/prem-n-ramkumar-md-mba/) [More about Prem N. Ramkumar ↗](https://commonsclinic.com/physicians/prem-n-ramkumar-md-mba/) Explore our clinicians, then talk with us about your symptoms, goals, and the care you need. Patient experiences ## Meet the clinician. *Hear the experience.* Read how patients describe their care, then bring the questions that matter to your own visit. Each portrait stays with that clinician’s accounts. [![Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/assets/prem-n-ramkumar-md-mba.jpg)](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/prem-n-ramkumar-md-mba/) ## [Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/prem-n-ramkumar-md-mba/) Orthopedic Surgeon, Joints & Sports Medicine [Biography & all reviews →](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/prem-n-ramkumar-md-mba/) [Commons Clinic profile ↗](https://commonsclinic.com/physicians/prem-n-ramkumar-md-mba/) Excerpt > Thanks to the surgery, you did my mom have a Second Life. I'm so happy my mom. E. jimenez Rating: 5/5 · Source: Google · Date: October 13, 2026 [Reviewer’s Google activity](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/102546258694637938877/place/ChIJN5abTJkz3YARYFiCkifHPjw) Source link type: reviewer place Attributed clinician: Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA A family member shares their experience of the care provided. Excerpt > Writing this review 4 week post op from a meniscus repair surgery. I seriously could not recommend Dr Prem Ramkumar more. B. Ollendieck Rating: 5/5 · Source: Google · Date: September 12, 2026 [Reviewer’s Google activity](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/103124382212804707446/place/ChIJN5abTJkz3YARYFiCkifHPjw) Source link type: reviewer place Attributed clinician: Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA The reviewer shares their experience of care. [![Eric S. Millstein, MD](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/assets/eric-millstein.jpg)](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/eric-millstein/) ## [Eric S. Millstein, MD](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/eric-millstein/) Orthopedic Surgeon, Joints & Sports Medicine [Biography & all reviews →](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/eric-millstein/) [Commons Clinic profile ↗](https://commonsclinic.com/physicians/eric-millstein/) Excerpt > Dr. Millstein was very thorough in my evaluation, sat down listened, answered all of my questions, and set me on the right path to recovery. S. Sadraie Rating: 5/5 · Source: Google · Date: March 6, 2026 [Reviewer’s Google activity](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/111123635198777042641/place/ChIJt04grlG5woARykBaakD_dF8) Source link type: reviewer place Attributed clinician: Eric S. Millstein, MD The reviewer shares their experience of care. Excerpt > Highly experienced, effective, and conservative when it comes to surgery. His staff is also very kind, responsive and accommodating. S. E Rating: 5/5 · Source: Google · Date: February 11, 2026 [Reviewer’s Google activity](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/105581845734812096273/place/ChIJt04grlG5woARykBaakD_dF8) Source link type: reviewer place Attributed clinician: Eric S. Millstein, MD The reviewer shares their experience of care. [![Christopher Combs, MD](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/assets/christopher-combs-md.jpg)](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/christopher-combs-md/) ## [Christopher Combs, MD](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/christopher-combs-md/) Orthopedic Surgeon, Joints & Sports Medicine [Biography & all reviews →](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/christopher-combs-md/) [Commons Clinic profile ↗](https://commonsclinic.com/physicians/christopher-combs-md/) Excerpt > The post surgery process has been great, All Thanks to God, and then the professional work of Dr. Combs. A. F Rating: 5/5 · Source: Google · Date: December 29, 2025 [Reviewer’s Google activity](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/109089932624220995110/place/ChIJH2XhMeQy3YARbezZye2vIhY) Source link type: reviewer place Attributed clinician: Christopher Combs, MD The reviewer shares their experience of care. [![Andrew Wassef, MD](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/assets/andrew-wassef-md.jpg)](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/andrew-wassef-md/) ## [Andrew Wassef, MD](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/andrew-wassef-md/) Orthopedic Surgeon, Joints [Biography & all reviews →](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/andrew-wassef-md/) [Commons Clinic profile ↗](https://commonsclinic.com/physicians/andrew-wassef-md/) Excerpt > My husband had right hip replacement surgery in June 2019, and Dr. Wassef and his staff did an amazing job. R. Rating: 5/5 · Source: Google · Date: October 31, 2019 [Reviewer’s Google activity](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/106764380126788344216/place/ChIJqeNILuQy3YAR9WA5ym3pGLU) Source link type: reviewer place Attributed clinician: Andrew Wassef, MD A family member shares their experience of the care provided. Keep exploring ## Your next *good question.* More guidance to help you understand your options and plan your next step. Choosing your care ### [6 questions to compare treatments around your life](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/shared-decisions-treatment-options-patient-goals/) A good treatment decision connects the evidence with your life: what you hope to do, which risks concern you, and what recovery would ask of you. Your priorities belong in that discussion. [Read the guide](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/shared-decisions-treatment-options-patient-goals/) Choosing your care ### [7 questions to coordinate care before and after orthopedic treatment](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/care-coordination-before-after-orthopedic-treatment/) Good coordination turns a treatment recommendation into a plan you can follow: the right records, clear responsibilities, and someone to contact when the next step is unclear. [Read the guide](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/care-coordination-before-after-orthopedic-treatment/) Choosing your care ### [5 questions before flying or taking a long trip after surgery](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/travel-after-orthopedic-surgery-questions/) Travel after surgery is a planning decision, not a date copied from another patient's recovery. Discuss the full journey with your surgical team before booking or committing to a return trip. [Read the guide](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/articles/travel-after-orthopedic-surgery-questions/) Meet the clinicians ## Explore your *next conversation.* [![Andrew Wassef, MD](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/assets/andrew-wassef-md.jpg)](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/andrew-wassef-md/) Orthopedic Surgeon, Joints ### [Andrew Wassef, MD](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/andrew-wassef-md/) Lakewood · Long Beach – Douglas Park [Meet Andrew Wassef](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/andrew-wassef-md/) [![Christopher Combs, MD](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/assets/christopher-combs-md.jpg)](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/christopher-combs-md/) Orthopedic Surgeon, Joints & Sports Medicine ### [Christopher Combs, MD](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/christopher-combs-md/) Lakewood · Long Beach – Douglas Park [Meet Christopher Combs](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/christopher-combs-md/) [![Eric S. Millstein, MD](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/assets/eric-millstein.jpg)](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/eric-millstein/) Orthopedic Surgeon, Joints & Sports Medicine ### [Eric S. Millstein, MD](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/eric-millstein/) Santa Monica [Meet Eric S. Millstein](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/eric-millstein/) [![Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/assets/prem-n-ramkumar-md-mba.jpg)](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/prem-n-ramkumar-md-mba/) Orthopedic Surgeon, Joints & Sports Medicine ### [Prem N. Ramkumar, MD, MBA](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/prem-n-ramkumar-md-mba/) Lakewood · Long Beach – Douglas Park [Meet Prem N. Ramkumar](https://commonsclinicreviews.com/physicians/prem-n-ramkumar-md-mba/) ## Publisher & attribution Commons Clinic Reviews is operated by Commons Clinic. This website is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Google, Zocdoc, or Yelp. Google, Google Maps, and Google Business Profile are trademarks of Google LLC. Zocdoc and the Zocdoc logo are trademarks of Zocdoc, Inc. Yelp and the Yelp logo are registered trademarks of Yelp Inc. All third-party names and logos belong to their respective owners and identify the original review sources. © 2026 Commons Clinic. All rights reserved.