• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Howard J. Luks, MD

Howard J. Luks, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon Sports Medicine Specialist

  • Topics
    • Joint Pain
    • Longevity
    • Metabolic Health
    • Sports Medicine
    • Training
    • Top Articles
      • Zone 2 Training
      • Shoulder Pain Lifting Arm
      • Knee Injury Serious?
      • Medial Meniscus Tears
      • Front Of Knee Pain
      • Shoulder Snaps & Pops
    • All Articles
  • Newsletter
  • Podcast
  • Book
  • About
  • Consultation
Sports Medicine

Blood Clots In The Leg: Are They Preventable?

Avatar photo

Howard J. Luks, MD Updated Sep 17, 2021 Read time: 3 mins

Blood clots in the leg (deep vein thrombosis or DVT) can form spontaneously, following trauma, long flights, or after surgery.  If treated promptly most blood clots will resolve.  In certain individuals the clot can move through the veins, into the heart and then the lungs where they cause a pulmonary embolus.  Because of this risk of the blood clot in your leg moving to the lung it is important to obtain prompt treatment if a blood clot is suspected.

The symptoms of a blood clot (DVT)  in the leg include:

  • Leg swelling
  • Calf pain
  • Calf tenderness

Some of you will only have swelling and will not have calf pain. Others may not even notice the swelling before the signs of a pulmonary embolus present.

 

What Causes Blood Clots or DVT?

blood clot legBlood clots in the legs are usually caused by prolonged sedentary behavior — which doesn’t keep the blood moving in the veins. Blood clots in the leg can can occur as the result of an injury, surgery on the leg, immobilization (cast or resting after surgery in injury) or following a long flight or car ride.  Dehydration plays a role since your blood might be “thicker” and thus more sluggish as it tries to move through the veins.  This might make it easier to form a DVT if you are dehydrated then travel or need to be put into a cast or brace to immobilize your leg following an injury.

If the blood remains still in the veins, and more so if there was an injury, then a small clot can develop. The mechanism by which the clot forms and there is a cascade of events that enables this.  This is where prevention and treatment strategies are targeted.  That small clot can grow larger.  If the clot in your leg occludes the vein, your leg will swell and your calf will usually be painful.

Risks Factors For Blood Clots:

  • Family history -genetics can play a role
  • Have a history of previous blood clots
  • Recent Pelvic, Hip or Leg surgery
  • Recent Hip or Knee Replacement surgery
  • Travel
  • Obesity
  • Certain birth control medications
  • If you have a cancer diagnosis
  • Nearly 30% of blood clots in the leg occur in people with no known risk factors.

How Do You Diagnose a Blood Clot?

Blood clots in the leg are usually found with an ultrasound.  If the clot has moved, then a CatScan might be necessary to find the clot in your pelvis, abdomen or lungs.

How Do I Prevent a Blood Clot?

Many blood clots can be prevented.  Some can not.  If you are on a long flight, get up, and move around.  Strong consideration should be given to wearing compression socks.  The socks should provide 20-30mmHg of graduated compression. An appropriate compression sock can be found here.
dvt compression sock

After surgery, many of you might be asked to take an anti-coagulant pill.  They are effective in preventing clots in many people, but a risk is bleeding.  Mechanical compression to keep the blood in your leg moving with a special pump can decrease the risk of developing blood clots in the leg.  After surgery most all of you will have these.  Home pumps are available and used for people who do not want to take, or can not take anti-coagulants. These pumps attach to a sleeve on the leg that fills up with air to forces the blood in your leg to keep moving through the veins.  An example of a home pump for blood clot prevention can be found here.

Mobility is the key to preventing blood clots in most patients.

Blood clots in the leg are more common than you think.  Prevention strategies are effective.  Remaining mobile is key, if at all possible. When you are considering surgery talk to your doctor about any family or personal history of blood clots and your risk factors.

If you believe you may be suffering from a blood clot, you must act on it immediately.  If your doctor does not return your call promptly, strong consideration should be given to going to an Emergency Room.  

Do you have questions regarding an Orthopedic injury or longevity? 

Do you want to talk to an expert who can listen to you for 45-60 minutes and explain the options in detail? 

Dr. Howard Luks offers remote guidance sessions to review your X-ray or MRI images and explain your options. 

Dr. Luks has also received hundreds of requests for educational sessions on the topics discussed in his book, Longevity Simplified.

Schedule Remote Session

 

Howardluksmd.com provides the information and materials on this site for general information purposes only. You should not rely on the information provided as a substitute for actual professional medical advice, care, or treatment. This site is not designed to and does not provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment, or services to you or any individual.

Affiliate links are used on this page.  Discuss prevention strategies with your physician.

Categories: Sports Medicine Tags: blood clot, blood clots in the leg, DVT

Disclaimer:  this information is for your education and should not be considered medical advice regarding diagnosis or treatment recommendations. Some links on this page may be affiliate links. Read the full disclaimer.
Dr. Howard J. Luks

Howard J. Luks, MD is a leading orthopedic surgeon & sports medicine specialist. An expert in shoulder, knee, and other sports injuries, and author of Longevity... Simplified.

About · Contact · Private Consultation

Remote Guidance Sessions
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

Like what you're reading?

Join the thousands of followers who rely on Dr. Howard J. Luks, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in Sports Medicine, with tools, tactics, and techniques for simplifying longevity.

Further Reading:

My Next Iteration…
You’re More Capable Than You Think
Thriving with knee osteoarthritis
Coming Soon: You’re Not Broken: Understanding and Thriving with Knee Osteoarthritis- My Latest Book
Birthdays and Abilities

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Christina Hainey

    Jun 9, 2016 at 5:22 pm

    Thank you so much, great down to basic information, what we need right now. Thank you.

  2. Carmen

    Jun 5, 2016 at 9:16 pm

    Thanks for getting the word out on awareness and prevention of blood clots. My mom died of blood clots while in the hospital for ulcer-related treatment. I really appreciate your blog.

    • Avatar photoHoward J. Luks, MD

      Jun 6, 2016 at 6:12 am

      My pleasure Carmen. Thank YOU for stopping by :-)

Primary Sidebar

Dr. Howard J. Luks

Howard J. Luks, MD is a leading orthopedic surgeon & sports medicine specialist. An expert in shoulder, knee, and other sports injuries, and author of Longevity... Simplified.

About · Contact · Private Consultation

Remote Guidance Sessions
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

Top Articles

The importance of VO2 Max

VO2 Max. It’s not just about your mitochondria

Walking is exercise

Walking IS Exercise: Why All Movement Matters

Zone 2 heart rate training

Zone 2 Heart Rate Training For Longevity and Performance

Do I have a serious knee injury

Is My Knee Injury Serious? 5 Signs to Look For.

Newsletter

Join the thousands of followers who rely on Dr. Howard J. Luks, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in Sports Medicine, with tools, tactics, and techniques for simplifying longevity.

Read the Book

An easy-to-read guide that tosses out the myths and clears up the truth behind living longer. As you read this book, you will:

  • Understand the science behind the recommendations for living a longer and healthier life.
  • Understand that all our bodies’ systems are interconnected and rely on one another.
  • Connect the dots to poor metabolic health and take steps to reverse this path.
  • Recognize that fear doesn't need to be your reality.
  • Recognizing that most people view “exercise” as unpleasant work.
  • Stop going down “rabbit holes” of false information.
  • Realize you don't have to change as much as you think.
Find Out More
Read Reviews
Longevity... Simplified: Living A Longer, Healthier Life Shouldn’t Be Complicated

Available at:

Bookshop
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Trending Now

  1. Zone 2 heart rate training
    Featured
    Zone 2 Heart Rate Training For Longevity and Performance
  2. The importance of VO2 Max
    Featured
    VO2 Max. It's not just about your mitochondria
  3. Reframe why exercise is important. Not to lose, but to gin.
    Muscle and Strength
    We Exercise To Gain, Not To Lose.
  4. Seasoned Doctors Want to Leave Medicine.
    Sports Medicine
    Seasoned Doctors Want to Leave Medicine.

Howard J. Luks, MD

Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine

128 Ashford Avenue
Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522

(914)-559-1900
[email protected]
Book Private Consultation

Topics

  • Joint Pain
  • Longevity
  • Metabolic Health
  • Sports Medicine
  • Running
  • Training

Browse All Articles

Joint Pain

  • Ankle
  • Elbow
  • Hip
  • Knee
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Shoulder

More Orthopedic Education

  • Topics
  • Newsletter
  • Podcast
  • Book
  • About
  • Consultation

© 2025 · Howard J Luks, MD · Disclaimer & Terms · Privacy Policy
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This site should be used for informational purposes only.