Sorensen TS, Jorgensen J.
Mechanical prophylaxis against deep vein thrombosis in Charnley hip arthroplasty.
Acta Orthop Scand 1981 Feb;52(1):69-72

A retrospective study of 521 Charnley hip replacements involving 471 patients is
presented, assessing the effect of mechanical prophylaxis against deep vein
thrombosis. During the operation venous flow was stimulated in all cases by passive
movement at the ankle joint. In addition, all patients used Flowtron leggings--a
non-invasive, intermittent pneumatic compression device - on the unoperated leg
during the operation and on both legs during the first 24 hours after the
operation. The patients were mobilized as soon as possible with weight-bearing on
the operated leg from the second postoperative day. As indicated by the results,
the above combination of early mobilization, peroperative stimulation of the
venous flow and the use of Flowtron leggings lowered the incidence of
thromboembolic complications to 3.6 per cent.